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Dioxin Testing Recommended for Crofton |
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June 6, 2007
European Continuous Dioxin Sampling Equipment Recommended for Crofton Mill - Environment Canada Requested to Join Initiative
After decades of uncertainty and controversy over the level of dioxins and furans in coastal pulp mill air emissions, the potential to employ new technology from a German manufacturer could help identify the real risk to human and ecological health from some of the most toxic chemicals known if Environment Canada joins in widespread acceptance of the plan.
“This is a real opportunity to advance the science in North America,” said Elizabeth White of the Crofton Airshed Citizens Group (CACG). "The only thing holding us up right now is Environment Canada's unwillingness to participate in a pilot project."
Currently, monitoring for dioxins and furans relies on biennial tests,
planned and done under optimal steady state conditions while it’s well
accepted that the majority of emissions occur during startup, shutdown
and upset conditions. Continuous sampling could provide a much more
comprehensive picture of what’s coming out of the stacks all the time.
“Continuous monitoring for toxic stack emissions such as sulfur
compounds has been standard industry practice for many years, and is
required by government. Up until now there’s been no equivalent
equipment available for dioxins,” said Delores Broten of Reach for
Unbleached in Comox. “With one time dioxin tests being extremely costly
it has simply not been possible to understand what the real impact is
of burning salty hog fuel in coastal mills, but we know for certain
that burning salt results in dioxin emissions.”
Salty Hog fuel is wood chips and bark from logs that have been
transported and stored in ocean waters where they absorb large
quantities of salt. The hog fuel is used in the power boilers of
coastal mills and has been identified by the Canadian Council of
Environment Ministers (CCME) as a priority concern due to the
generation of dioxins and furans. Ironically, Environment Canada is the
lead agency in the CCME. Environment Canada has thus far, however,
refused to endorse the technology despite its widespread acceptance,
and even legal requirement in parts of Europe.
Dioxins and furans are extremely toxic, persistent in the environment,
and will accumulate in the tissues of species along the food chain. Due
to their highly toxic nature, they are slated for virtual elimination
under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). (see
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/industrial_waste/forestry/pulp_paper_boilers.html)
“This issue is of paramount concern for the Crofton Airshed Citizens
Group. We have allocated funds to cover many of the costs of a one year
dioxin monitoring pilot project,” said White. “The Crofton mill now has
the opportunity to take advantage of what has become standard equipment
in some parts of Europe and employ it as an operational tool to work
towards the goal of reducing dioxin emissions to zero.”
In December the Crofton Mill’s Community Advisory Forum passed a
resolution, making its first recommendation to Catalyst Paper that the
company participate in a feasibility investigation of continuous stack
sampling of dioxin and furans.
“It’s extremely positive that Catalyst Paper has been willing to engage
with other partners and stakeholders on this initiative,” said White. “
It's puzzling to the say the least that Environment Canada refuses to
take part in this opportunity, taking the lead in demonstrating the
best available technology for monitoring stack emissions of dioxins”
END
Click here for "The Burning Question" - Continuous Sampling for Dioxins - a backgrounder
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