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Department of Ecology News Release - April 8, 2008
08-085
OLYMPIA – In conjunction with the release of a draft state Health Department report, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) today announced it will look for more ways to help respond to citizen concerns about Port Townsend Paper Corp.’s air emissions.
These steps could include increasing the number of pollutants monitored, developing a better assessment of chemicals emitted and their possible impacts, and improving Ecology’s complaint response and tracking system.
Ecology will review the health consultation findings to see if they justify changes to the mill’s five-year air operating permit. Ecology will also look for other options to address community concerns.
“As the agency responsible for regulating pulp and paper mills in Washington, we are always concerned when we hear of health issues that could be tied – even in a small way – to industrial operations,” said Carol Kraege, manager of Ecology’s Industrial Section. “I believe we can work with the community, health agencies and the mill to improve our understanding of what is being emitted in order to address some of these tough questions.”
The draft health consultation was sought by the community in response to concerns that air emissions from the mill could be linked to short-term and long-term health issues reported by some living in the community. Some residents have complained about the mill’s odor and becoming sick after exposure.
Department of Health research could not directly associate any of the observed conditions such as asthma and certain cancers in the community to chemicals most likely in mill emissions. And since the levels of air pollutants are not well established, Health could not determine whether air emissions from the mill pose harm.
Some local citizens have requested air pollution monitors be placed in the community. Ecology and Health agree that additional information about specific pollutants is needed. Ecology will work with Health and the local air authority to determine the most effective way to gather reliable information for addressing health concerns. This likely will involve developing site-specific information about chemicals that the mill emits and using the information in a sophisticated model to try to identify any areas where contaminants are likely to be the highest.
Ecology plans to meet with mill representatives soon to discuss the health consultation findings.
The mill has operated in Port Townsend since 1927. Ecology has the responsibility for regulating the mill’s air emissions through an air operating permit, which specifies the types and amounts of hazardous chemicals that must be collected and treated before being released into the air. Federal regulations limit Ecology’s authority to include more conditions in the permit. However, additional requirements could come through an administrative order which would be available for review and appeal by the community or the mill.
The mill’s air operating permit has been the subject of review by the community and state Pollution Control Hearings Board. Ecology is reworking sections of the permit to address specific concerns by the Environmental Protection Agency. Once modified, the public will have another opportunity to review and comment.
Ecology is also collaborating with Port Townsend Paper and the community on a voluntary project designed to reduce the mill’s environmental “footprint” on the community over time. As part of this project, Ecology is encouraging community members to bring forward any concerns about the mill’s performance, including those raised by the health consultation.
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Media Contact: Larry Altose 425-649-7009; pager 206-663-1785
Link to DOH Environmental Health Assessments report: http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/oehas/whatsnew.htm
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
