New Jersey Company Reports
Eliminating Threat to 1.1 Million People
Trenton
– Pulp and paper mills that use chlorine or chlorine dioxide to whiten paper
needlessly endanger more than 5.7 million people, according to a new report
released today by NJPIRG.
The report, Pulp
Fiction, identified 74 pulp and paper mills that endanger more than 5.7
million people by using chlorine or chlorine dioxide to bleach paper. If released, these two hazardous substances
have the potential to kill or seriously injure even at relatively low
concentrations.
“Around the country we’ve moved chlorine gas, a chemical
weapon, off the battlefield and into our communities,” said NJPIRG advocate Abigail
Field. “Fortunately, there are safer
technologies available that pulp and paper mills can use to replace the extremely
hazardous chemicals used to whiten paper, and New Jersey pulp and paper mills are doing
the right thing.”
New Jersey
has a good example of a company reducing the hazards to their surrounding
communities—Schweitzer-Maduit.
Schweitzer went from storing enough chlorine gas on site to put 1.1
million people at risk to making chlorine dioxide as needed, so the only amount
stored is what is in the pipeline between the point of generation and the point
of use. This storage change eliminated
the threat to the 1.1 million people nearby.
According to NJPIRG’s research, bleaching technologies that
do not use chlorine or chlorine dioxide are widely available. For example, the totally chlorine-free (TCF) technology
whitens paper by using safer substances such as hydrogen peroxide or ozone
instead of chlorine. These safer
technologies can eliminate or significantly reduce the consequences of a chemical
release.
Accidents at chemical facilities have long threatened
communities and workers. The realization that a terrorist could use an
industrial facility as a make-shift chemical weapon has amplified concerns about
extremely hazardous chemicals like chlorine and chlorine dioxide.
Based on these concerns, the National Research Council
recently identified safer technologies as the most desirable solution to
address chemical plant security. The
Council stated that the most effective way to prevent chemical releases is to
eliminate the hazard where possible.
“Today’s report demonstrates that safer technologies are a
reality,” said Field. “Some facilities
have already reduced chemical hazards by switching to safer technologies, but
many others are continuing with business as usual. To truly make our communities safe, chemical
facilities must adopt safer technologies.”
Last summer, the House Homeland Security Committee passed a
chemical security bill that incorporated safer technologies, but this bill was
never brought to the House floor for a vote. Comparable legislation will likely
be introduced again this year.
“We call on Representatives Pallone and Fergursen, and
Senator Lautenberg to ensure that safer technologies are a part of any serious
chemical security proposal.”
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To view a full copy
of the report, please visit NJPIRG’s website at www.njpirg.org
