TALLAHASSEE—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 Florida PIRG.
The report, Pulp Fiction,
identified 74 pulp and paper mills around the country that together
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.
In
Florida, six plants when taken together endanger the lives of 408,331
nearby residents by storing approximately 432, 601 pounds of chlorine
and chlorine dioxide on site.
“We’ve
moved chlorine gas, a chemical weapon, off the battlefield and into our
communities,” said Florida PIRG consumer advocate Brad Ashwell.
“Fortunately, there are safer technologies available that pulp and
paper mills can use to replace the extremely hazardous chemicals used
to whiten paper.”.
According
to Florida PIRG’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. The
use of safer technologies like TCF 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 hazards where possible.
“Today’s
report demonstrates that safer technologies are a reality,” said
Ashwell. “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 U.S. 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 Representative Boyd to ensure that safer technologies are a part of any serious chemical security proposal.”
