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Paper Manufacturing's Effects on People

It is hard to imagine something as commonplace and necessary as paper as representing a devastating environmental and health hazard. However, the production of paper contributes to land, water and air pollution, and even recycled paper is a hazard due to the sludge produced by the de-inking process. In recent years, paper manufacturers have made headway in improving the safety of their methods, but paper manufacturing remains one of the most toxic manufacturing processes in existence.

  1. Sulfur Compounds

    • Volatile sulfur-based compounds are used at multiple stages in the paper manufacturing process, and while most of the sulfur is generally recovered, some is released as sulfur dioxide, a compound that contributes to acid rain. Other volatile sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide, pollute the air and give paper plants their characteristic "rotten egg" smell, making nearby areas unpleasant to live and work in. Airborne sulfuric acid has been implicated in a number of respiratory disorders and contributes to asthmatic suffering.

    Dioxins and Methanol

    • Conventional chlorine bleaching to achieve bright white paper releases highly toxic dioxins. Dioxin persists in the environment and can build up in bodily tissues, leading to cancer and liver dysfunction. Methanol may be released in the log-pulping process, and the substance is highly toxic to humans. High enough doses result in central nervous system damage and blindness, and long-term exposure causes liver damage. Evaporated methanol reacts in the air to form formaldehyde, a probable carcinogen, which also causes headaches and irritation of the eyes and throat.

    Other Environmental Concerns

    • As of 2007, only about 56 percent of paper manufactured in the United States was recovered for recycling, meaning nearly half of all paper made that year went to a landfill. Even recycling does not completely prevent paper-related material from entering a landfill, as "sludge" from the recycling process (mostly ink and plastics) often is discarded in landfills; this sludge may contain metallic compounds and other toxins that can enter the water supply and cause sickness.

    Signs of Improvement

    • Increased awareness of the heath hazards of paper manufacturing has led to tighter regulations and improved methods. Paper bleached with hydrogen peroxide results in chlorine-free paper and a reduction of dioxins, thereby reducing the incidence of cancer and liver problems in surrounding areas. Recycling reduces the demand for virgin wood and thus reduces the need for toxic chemicals associated with pulping. New technologies are allowing for safer methods of pulping and for the production of nontoxic vegetable inks, reducing the risk of sickness from exposure to chemical toxins.

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