Environmental hazards of chlorine-bleached paper products

Chlorine bleaches of woodpulp produce dioxins, one of the most toxic chemicals, as the by-product. Dioxins are also suspected cancer-causing agents. Dioxins in the effluent waters affect ecosystems in general, but they are also found in the bleached products themselves. Incineration of chlorine-bleached paper and paper cartons releases dioxins into the air.