Environmental hazards from paper and printing industries

Nature

Hazards from paper and printing industries include accidents, environmental pollution, noise, dust and chemical hazards.

Accidents are responsible for the greatest amount of lost time. In addition to the usual tripping, falling, striking and being-struck accidents, must be added those from moving and revolving machinery. In the pulp industry, bark removing machinery, log cutting and shredding of pulp present serious hazards. Serious accidents can also be caused by the falling of badly stacked paper rolls.

Environmental problems are aggravated by the hot humid atmosphere of the drying rooms; and the high temperatures in the boiling, washing, and sulphate recovery areas expose operators to high levels of relative humidity and considerable temperature variations. Bronchitis and other respiratory ailments may result. Noise hazards result from the high noise levels at every stage of pulp and paper production (80dB to over 100dB); dust accumulations lead to increased fire and explosion possibilities; and the most serious chemical hazard results from the handling of lime and the lime kiln.

Depending on the age and type of plant and its technical pollution control, effluents from paper mills can contain high levels of organic fibres, natural plant resins and tannins, and synthetic chemicals and dyes. Improper disposal has caused major ecological damage to receiving waters.

Background

Concerns over environmental hazards from paper and printing industries emerged in the mid-20th century, as large-scale deforestation, water pollution from pulping chemicals, and air emissions became evident in industrialized regions. International attention intensified following reports in the 1970s linking dioxin contamination and aquatic ecosystem damage to paper mills. Subsequent decades saw global recognition of the industry's environmental footprint, prompting regulatory scrutiny and research into sustainable practices across both developed and developing nations.

Incidence

The paper and printing industries are significant contributors to global environmental hazards, with millions of tonnes of waste, air pollutants, and toxic effluents generated annually. These industries are among the largest consumers of water and energy, and their operations result in widespread deforestation, waterway contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions, affecting ecosystems and communities worldwide.
In 2022, a major incident occurred in the Indian state of Maharashtra, where untreated effluents from a large paper mill contaminated the Bhima River. This led to mass fish deaths and disrupted water supplies for thousands of residents, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by inadequate industrial waste management.

Claim

The environmental hazards caused by the paper and printing industries are a critical and urgent problem. These industries devastate forests, pollute water with toxic chemicals, and contribute massively to greenhouse gas emissions. Ignoring their impact accelerates climate change and destroys vital ecosystems. Immediate action and stricter regulations are essential to curb this unchecked environmental destruction. We cannot afford to overlook the severe consequences of these industries any longer.

Counter-claim

Concerns about environmental hazards from paper and printing industries are grossly exaggerated. Modern technologies have drastically reduced emissions and waste, making these industries far less harmful than commonly portrayed. Compared to pressing global threats like plastic pollution or fossil fuel emissions, paper and printing pose minimal risk. Focusing on them distracts from truly urgent environmental issues. It’s time to stop inflating their impact and prioritize real environmental challenges instead.