Prohibits discharge of chlorine compounds into the waters of the state

Summary of specific provisions

This bill would phase out the use of chlorine as a bleaching agent in the pulp and paper industry within four years. It would eliminate the discharge of chlorine and its compounds in waste water within eighteen months after the effective date of this act, the department would begin to provide technical assistance to mills regarding safe alternatives. Additionally, the department shall report to the governor and the legislature on sources and industrial discharges of organochlorine compounds and their byproducts and metabolites into water. The report shall contain recommendations for achieving a zero discharge policy for important categories of organochlorine pollution sources. In order to develop such recommendations, the commissioner shall convene an advisory panel consisting of experts in the fields of public health, occupational health, technology change, toxic use reduction and ecology as well as representatives from industry, labor, public interest and environmental groups.

Effects of present law which this bill would alter

The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new section 17-0830.

Justification

Dioxin is one of more than 1,000 organochlorines-toxic chemical byproducts-produced as a result of the use of chlorine in the pulp and paper industry. Chlorine bleaching of paper is the second largest use of chlorine. Additionally, the EPA has identified the use of chlorine and chlorine-based bleaches in the pulp and paper industry as the largest source of dioxin discharge directly into waterways and one of the largest dioxin-producing sectors overall. The average pulp mill releases 35 tons of toxic organochlorines each day. Large quantities of dioxin are also released into the air, into paper products, and into the land when contaminated sludge is disposed. Dioxin is the most toxic manmade chemical. This fat-soluble chemical persists and bioaccumulates in the environment. Minute quantities of dioxin and its sister compounds build up exponentially as they move up the food chain reaching their greatest levels in the tissues of species high on the food chain, including humans. The EPA recently concluded in its reassessment that dioxin is even more harmful to humans in even smaller concentrations than previously thought. Furthermore, the report claims that most adults and children already have levels of dioxin in their bodies at or near concentrations that cause prenatal and immune system problems

in lab animals. Research conducted by scientists is now showing that organochlorines may act like estrogen in the human body, causing developmental and sexual disorders and breast, skin, prostate, testicular and lung cancers. These findings are even more troubling because they affect those most vulnerable _ our children. Children who may become exposed to these dangerous chemicals through the placenta and breast milk at critical stages of development can be irreversibly affected. The most favored method of preventing the continued contamination of the environment from these persistent toxic substances is to phase out their production and/or use over time and replace these chemicals or the processes that produce them with safer alternatives. The American Public Health Association in 1993 and the International Joint Commission on the Great Lakes Water Quality in 1992 and 1994 recommended phasing out chlorine and chlorine compounds in manufacturing processes to reduce or eliminate health risks. Furthermore, in 1992 and 1993, the 1S-nation Paris Convention on the Northeast Atlantic and the 21-nation Barcelona Convention on the Mediterranean Sea agreed that the discharge of persistent, bioaccumulative toxic substances-particularly organochlorines and dioxin must be brought to zero on rapid timelines. There are several alternatives to the use of chlorine as a bleaching agent which are far less polluting and which do not have the same adverse effects. Industries in Europe and some plants in the u.s. including Lyons Falls in New York are already using these technologies. These alternatives, including oxygen and hydrogen peroxide pre-bleaching and oxygen based bleaching including oxygen, ozone and hydrogen peroxide, produce high quality paper without generating dioxin and other toxic chemicals. The oxygen-based alternatives, in addition to being nontoxic, also require less energy and water. Thus, the technology exists today to allow for the phasing out of a significant source of dioxin.

Effective date

Immediately.