"California for Alternatives to Toxics and the Center for Biological Diversity today notified the Environmental Protection Agency of their intent to sue the agency for failing to review and update Clean Air Act rules for certain polluting pulp. The 60-day notice focuses on New Source Performance Standards for kraft pulp mills, which dissolve wood chips into fibers later used to make paper products."
"Kraft pulp mills emit a substantial amount of air pollutants, including particulate matter, sulfur compounds, nitrogen oxides and volitile organic compounds. Only two of these pollutants, particulate matter and sulfur compounds, are currently subject to the performance standards. If EPA does not act quickly to update the standards, the groups intend to file a lawsuit and seek a court order requiring the agency to review the standards to ensure that all significant air pollutants from kraft pulp mills are addressed."
For your nearest kraft pulp mill, you only have to look out the window or look toward Humboldt Bay at Freshwater Tissue Co./ Samoa Pulp Mill. We who live near this mill have long complained about the air we breathe when that mill is in operation. We have not received a lot of help from the local air district. In the past there was only one air quality station and it only tested for particulates. Now there are three. Sometimes they may test for other chemicals, but it is not often. Since testing is skimpy, it is our word against the pulp mill.
Thank you Center for Biological Diversity and Californians Against Toxics.