&EPA
EPA-821-R-06-016
Final Report:
Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard
Detailed Study
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Engineering and Analysis Division
Office of Water
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20460
November 2006
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND DISCLAIMER
This report was prepared with the technical support of Eastern Research Group,
Inc. under the direction and review of the Office of Science and Technology. Neither the United
States Government nor any of its employees, contractors, subcontractors, or their employees
make any warrant, expressed or implied, or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any
third party's use of, or the results of, such use of any information, apparatus, product, or process
discussed in this report, or represents that its use by such party would not infringe on privately
owned rights.
The primary contact regarding questions or comments on this document is:
Carey Johnston
U.S. EPA Engineering and Analysis Division (4303T)
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 566-1014 (telephone)
(202) 566-1053 (fax)
johnston.carey@epa.gov
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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1-1
1.1 Industry Description 1-2
1.2 Regulatory Background 1-5
1.3 Detailed Study Scope 1-7
2.0 DATA SOURCES 2-1
2.1 PCS 2-1
2.1.1 Utility and Limitations of PCS Data 2-2
2.2 TRI 2-2
2.2.1 Utility and Limitations of TRI Data 2-3
2.3 NPDES Permits 2-4
2.4 Information Provided by Industry and Trade Associations 2-5
2.4.1 Information from Commenters on the 2006 Preliminary ELG
Plan 2-5
2.4.2 Other Industry-Supplied Data 2-5
2.5 NPDES Permit Application (Form 2C) Data 2-6
2.6 Information from States 2-6
2.7 Technical Literature Review 2-7
2.8 Dioxin Fish Consumption Advisory Data Sources 2-8
3.0 PULP AND PAPER CATEGORY WASTEWATERPOLLUTANTS 3-1
3.1 Chemical Analysis Detection Limits 3-1
3.2 Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds 3-3
3.2.1 Method 1613B Minimum Levels 3-5
3.2.2 Toxic Equivalency Factors 3-5
3.2.3 TRI Reporting Requirements 3-5
3.2.4 Effluent Guidelines Monitoring Requirements 3-7
3.3 Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs) 3-7
3.4 Metals 3-10
3.4.1 Chemical Analysis and Minimum Levels for Metals 3-10
3.4.2 TRI Reporting Requirements for Metals 3-11
3.4.3 Metals Data Reported to PCS 3-13
4.0 SCREENING-LEVEL REVIEW RESULTS 4-1
4.1 Potential New Subcategories 4-1
4.2 PCSLoads2002 Results 4-3
4.3 TRIReleases2002 Results 4-5
4.4 Comparison of TRIReleases2002 and TRIReleases2003 4-10
4.5 2005 and 2006 Screening-Level Review Findings for the Pulp and
Paper Category 4-10
5.0 DIOXIN AND DIOXIN-LIKE COMPOUNDS 5-1
5.1 Background 5-1
5.2 Phase I Mill TCDD and TCDF Compliance Monitoring Data 5-3
5.2.1 Implementation of Cluster Rules ELGs 5-3
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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
5.2.2 Bleach Plant Effluent Monitoring Data 5-4
5.2.3 Final Effluent Monitoring Data 5-7
5.2.4 Summary of NPDES TCDD and TCDF Permit Compliance
Monitoring Data 5-8
5.3 Review of Data Reported to TRI 5-8
5.3.1 How Pulp and Paper Mills Report Discharges of Dioxin and
Dioxin-Like Compounds to TRI 5-9
5.3.2 Emission Factors Used to Estimate TRI-Reported
Discharges 5-10
5.3.3 Phase I Mill Discharges of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like
Compounds Reported to TRI 5-15
5.3.4 Phase II Mill Discharges of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like
Compounds 5-24
5.3.5 Summary of Data Reported to TRI 5-29
5.4 Background Concentrations of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like
Compounds 5-30
5.5 Detailed Study Findings for Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds 5-33
6.0 METALS 6-1
6.1 Annual Loads from the Screening-Level Analysis 6-1
6.2 Metals Concentrations in Mill Effluent and Mill Intake 6-2
6.2.1 Data Sources 6-3
6.2.2 Mill Effluent Concentrations 6-4
6.2.3 Comparison of Median Mill Effluent Concentration and
Method Minimum Levels 6-5
6.2.4 Form 2C Intake Water Metals Concentrations 6-6
6.2.5 Wastewater Sample Data Collected by EPA to Support the
1993 Proposed Pulp Mill ELGs 6-8
6.2.6 Summary of Issues Related to Metals Concentrations 6-8
6.3 Metals Control Technologies Applied to Pulp and Paper Mill
Wastewaters 6-9
6.3.1 NPDES Permit Requirements for Metals 6-9
6.3.2 NCASI Evaluation and Bench-Scale Testing of Metals
Removal Technologies 6-10
6.3.3 Additional Literature Review of Metals Removal
Technology 6-15
6.3.4 Summary of Issues Related to Metals Control Technologies
Applied to Pulp and Paper Mill Wastewaters 6-16
6.4 Evaluation of Removal Technologies for Aluminum and
Manganese 6-17
6.4.1 Single-Stage Hydroxide Precipitation 6-17
6.4.2 Two-Stage Precipitation 6-18
6.4.3 Metals Treatment Effectiveness Concentrations 6-19
6.5 Pollution Prevention Strategies Available to Permit Writers for Mill-
Specific Discharge Issues 6-20
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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
6.5.1 Mercury Control Case Studies 6-20
6.5.2 Mercury Minimization Plans 6-21
6.5.3 Mill Chemical Additives 6-22
6.5.4 Other Strategies for In-Plant Metals Control 6-22
6.6 Detailed Study Findings for Metals 6-23
7.0 POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC COMPOUNDS (PACs) 7-1
7.1 Annual Loads from the 2006 Screening-Level Analyses 7-1
7.1.1 PACs Discharges Reported to TRI and PCS 7-1
7.1.2 Sources of PACs at Pulp and Paper Mills 7-2
7.2 Analysis of Reported PAC Discharges 7-5
7.2.1 Review of Data Reported to TRI 7-5
7.2.2 Data Provided With Comments 7-15
7.3 Detailed Study Findings on PACs 7-17
8.0 NUTRIENTS 8-1
8.1 Nutrients and their Impacts on Receiving Water 8-1
8.2 Nutrients Data in PCS 8-2
8.2.1 PCS Nutrient Monitoring Data 8-4
8.2.2 Accounting for Nutrient Discharges Reported in Multiple
Forms 8-4
8.3 2005 Nutrient Annual Review 8-5
8.4 2006 Nutrient Annual Review 8-6
8.4.1 Contacts with Nutrient Dischargers 8-6
8.4.2 Consideration of Public Comments During Annual Review 8-7
8.4.3 Nutrients Analysis Data Quality Review 8-8
8.4.4 Findings/Summary from 2006 Annual Review 8-9
8.5 Sources of Nutrients in Pulp and Paper Mill Effluents 8-9
8.5.1 Process Sources of Wastewater Nitrogen Discharge 8-10
8.5.2 Process Sources of Wastewater Phosphorus Discharges 8-11
8.5.3 Wastewater Treatment System Sources of Wastewater
Nutrient Discharges 8-11
8.6 Nutrient Control Strategies for Pulp and Paper Mills 8-12
8.7 Detailed Study Findings for Nutrients 8-13
9.0 CLUSTER RULE IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPACT 9-1
9.1 Detailed Summary of 1998 ELGs Revisions (Cluster Rules) 9-1
9.1.1 Best Available Technology Limitations and Pretreatment
Standards 9-3
9.1.2 "Beyond BAT": VATIP and Limits for TCF Mills 9-5
9.1.3 Support Documents 9-7
9.2 Incorporation of Cluster Rules Monitoring Requirements into
NPDES Permits 9-8
9.2.1 Bleached Papergrade Kraft Mills 9-8
9.2.2 POTWs 9-9
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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
9.2.3 Papergrade Sulfite Mills 9-10
9.2.4 Monitoring Requirements in NPDES Permits, Summary of
Findings 9-12
9.3 Analysis of Compliance Monitoring Data 9-13
9.3.1 Bleached Papergrade Kraft 9-14
9.3.2 Papergrade Sulfite 9-26
9.4 Dioxin-Related Fish Consumption Advisories 9-29
9.4.1 Information Sources 9-30
9.4.2 Current Status of Dioxin-related Fish Consumption
Advisories Listed in the 1997 Economic Analysis 9-30
9.4.3 Summary 9-40
9.5 Detailed Study Findings About Cluster Rules Implementation and
Impact 9-40
10.0 REFERENCES 10-1
Appendix: CURRENT STATUS OF PHASE I MILLS
IV
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List of Tables
LIST OF TABLES
Page
1-1 Number of Pulp and Paper Facilities 1-4
1-2 Relationship Between Pulp and Paper Regulatory Phases and Subcategories.... 1-6
2-1 Phase I Mill NPDES Permits Collected 2-4
3-1 Dioxin and Dioxin-like Compounds: Minimum Levels, Toxic Equivalency
Factors, and TWFs 3-4
3-2 Definition of PACs 3-8
3-3 PAC Concentrations in Pulp Mill Effluentsa 3-9
3-4 Analytical Method Minimum Levels for Metals Found in Pulp and Paper
Mill Effluents (ng/L Total Metals) 3-11
3-5 TRI Chemicals Identified as Metals and Metal Compounds 3-12
4-1 TRI-Reported Discharges by Facilities in SIC Codes that are Potential New
Subcategories of the Pulp and Paper Category 4-2
4-2 Top 10 Pollutants in PCSLoads2002, Final Effluent Discharges by Pulp and
Paper Regulatory Phase 4-4
4-3 PCSLoads2002 TWPE by Phase, With and Without Bowater Catawba Mill
TCDD Discharges 4-6
4-4 Top 10 Pollutants in TRIReleases2002, Releases by Pulp and Paper
Regulatory Phasea 4-7
4-5 Comparison of Phase I and Phase II Mill Metals Discharges, from
TRIReleases2002 4-8
4-6 TRIReleases2002_v4 TWPE by Regulatory Phase, With and Without Dioxin
and Dioxin-Like Compounds 4-9
4-7 Comparison of TRIReleases2002 v4 and TRIReleases2003_v2 4-11
4-8 Summary of Screening-Level Review Using PCS and TRI Data 4-12
5-1 Bleach Plant Effluent Concentrations of TCDD and TCDF (pg/L)a 5-5
5-2 Final Effluent Concentrations of TCDD, Bowater, Catawba, SC 5-7
5-3 Trends in BPK Mill Discharges21 of TCDD and TCDF 5-8
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List of Tables
LIST OF TABLES (Continued)
Page
5-4 Mills that Reported 2002 Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds Releases
toTRI [[[ 5-11
5-5 Mills that Reported 2003 Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds Release
toTRI [[[ 5-13
5-6 Concentrations of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds Used for NCASFs
Emission Factor (pg/L) [[[ 5-16
5-7 Phase I Mills that Reported Using Monitoring or Direct Measurements to
Estimate TRI-Reported Releases [[[ 5-17
5-8 Concentrations of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds in Phase I Mill
Effluent Samples (pg/L) [[[ 5-19
5-9 Mass, TEQ, and TWPE of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds for Mills
Providing Individual Congener Concentrations ................................................. 5-22
5-10 Mass, TEQ, and TWPE of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Estimated Discharges from Kimberly-Clark, Everett, Washington (as
Reported to TRI) [[[ 5-24
5-11 Phase II Mills that Reported Using Monitoring or Direct Measurements to
Estimate TRI-Reported Releases [[[ 5-25
5-12 Concentrations of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds in Phase II Effluent
Samples (pg/L) [[[ 5-26
5-13 Comparison of Mill Discharge Concentrations and Background Sediment
Concentrations, Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds, TEQ (ppt) .................... 5-31
5-14 Comparison of Relative Abundance of Dioxin Congeners ................................ 5-32
6- 1 Metals Discharge Loads in PCSLoads2002_v4 and TRIReleases2002 v4
from Phase I and Phase II Pulp and Paper Mills .................................................. 6-2
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List of Tables
LIST OF TABLES (Continued)
Page
6-6 Results of NCASF s Investigation of Techniques to Remove Low Levels of
Mercury 6-15
6-7 Aluminum and Manganese Treatment Effectiveness Concentrations, ng/L 6-19
7-1 TWPE from PAC Discharges, 2005 and 2006 Annual Screening-Level
Review 7-3
7-2 Pulp and Paper Mill Measurement of Individual PACs in PCS 7-4
7-3 Mills that Reported 2002 PACs Releases to TRI 7-6
7-4 Mills that Reported 2003 PACs Releases to TRI 7-9
7-5 Number of Mills Reporting PAC TRI Estimation Techniques for Reporting
Years 2002 and 2003 7-13
7-6 PAC Releases to Water Reported in TRI by 12 Mills for Reporting Year
2002 7-14
7-7 Summary of Treated Effluent PAC Data Collected at 23 Quebec Pulp and
Paper Mills 7-15
7-8 Summary of NPDES Permit Application Data, International Paper Mills 7-16
8-1 Some Nitrogen and Phosphorus Sources in Treatment Systems 8-2
8-2 Nutrient Parameter Discharges Reported to PCS 2002 by Pulp and Paper
Mills 8-3
8-3 2005 Screening-Level Analysis of Nutrient Loads Discharged by the Pulp
and Paper Category 8-5
8-4 Review of Nitrogen Loads Discharged by Brunswick Cellulose, Brunswick,
GA and Georgia-Pacific, Big Island, VA 8-7
8-5 Wisconsin Phosphorus Minimization Alternative Limits Justifications 8-14
9-1 Compliance Points for Cluster Rule Regulated Pollutants 9-2
9-2 Subpart B (Bleached Papergrade Kraft and Soda) BAT Effluent Limitations
Guidelines and Pretreatment Standards for Existing Sources 9-4
9-3 Subpart E (Papergrade Sulfite) BAT Effluent Limitations Guidelines and
Pretreatment Standards for Existing Sources 9-5
9-4 Bleached Papergrade Kraft Mills Operating "Beyond Compliance" 9-7
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List of Tables
LIST OF TABLES (Continued)
Page
9-5 Permits for Bleached Papergrade Kraft Mills Missing Required Bleach Plant
Monitoring as of June 2006 9-9
9-6 Permit Requirements for POTWs Receiving Bleached Papergrade Kraft
Mill Wastewater 9-10
9-7 Papergrade Sulfite Mills Operating in 2004 9-11
9-8 Number of Permits for Papergrade Sulfite Mills Missing Cluster Rules
Monitoring Requirements, as of 2004 9-12
9-9 Comparison of Permit-Required Monitoring and Monitoring Data in PCS,
for Direct Discharging Bleached Papergrade Kraft Mills 9-15
9-10 Number of BPK Mills with TCDD and TCDF Monitoring Data in PCS,
1998 through 2004a 9-17
9-11 Number of BPK Mills With Chlorinated Phenolic Compounds Data in PCS,
1998 Through 2004a 9-19
9-12 Number of BPK Mills With Chloroform Monitoring Data in PCS, 1998
Through 2004a 9-20
9-13 Production-Normalized Bleach Plant Effluent Chloroform Loads for Two
Weyerhaeuser Mills 9-22
9-14 Number of BPK Mills With AOX Monitoring Data in PCS, by Year and
Relative Baseline Loadsa 9-23
9-15 Weyerhaeuser Flint River Mill (Oglethorpe GA) Calculated Annual Load
Compared to EPA Estimated Baseline Load 9-24
9-16 Counts of TCDD and TCDF Detected in Washington State Phase I Mill
Bleach Plant Effluent 9-25
9-17 Trends in BPK Mill Discharges of Cluster Rules Regulated Pollutants 9-26
9-18 Loads for Two Papergrade Ammonium Sulfite Mills, 2001 through 2004 9-28
9-19 Current Status of Dioxin-Related Fish Consumption Advisories Listed in
the 1997 Economic Analysis 9-31
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Acronyms
2,3,7,8-TCDD
2,3,7,8-TCDF
AET
AF&PA
AOX
BAT
BCT
BODS
BPK
BPT
CDD
CDF
CFR
COD
CMP
CTMP
CWA
DCN
DMR
ECF
EDS
ELGs
EPA
FR
ML
NAICS
NCASI
NESHAP
NPDES
NSPS
PAC
PAH
PCS
pH
POTW
PS
PSES
PSNS
SIC
TCF
TEQ
IMP
TRI
ACRONYMS
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran
Alliance for Environmental Technology
American Forest and Paper Association
Adsorbable Organic Halides.
Best Available Technology Economically Achievable
Best Conventional Pollutant Control Technology
Five-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Bleached Papergrade Kraft
Best Practicable Control Technology
Chlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins
Chlorinated Dibenzofurans
Code of Federal Regulations
Chemical Oxygen Demand
Chemimechanical Pulping
Chemi-Thermo-Mechanical Pulp
Clean Water Act
Document Control Number
Discharge Monitoring Reports
Elemental Chlorine-Free
Effluent Data Statistics
Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Federal Register
Minimum Level
North American Industry Classification System
National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc.
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
New Source Performance Standards
Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Permit Compliance System
Negative logarithm of the effective hydrogen-ion concentration in moles
per liter, a measure of acidity
Publicly Owned Treatment Works
Papergrade Sulfite
Pretreatment Standards for Existing Sources
Pretreatment Standards for New Sources
Standard Industrial Classification
Totally Chlorine-Free
Toxic Equivalents
Thermo-Mechanical Pulp
Toxics Release Inventory
IX
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Acronyms
ACRONYMS (Continued)
TWPE Toxic-Weighted Pound Equivalents
TWFs Toxic Weighting Factors
VATIP Voluntary Advanced Technology Incentives Program
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Glossary
GLOSSARY
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran
(2,3,7,8-TCDF) - Two CDD and CDF congeners with chlorine substitution of hydrogen atoms at
the 2, 3, 7, and 8 positions on the benzene rings. The 1998 Cluster Rules promulgated by EPA
included ELGs for these two congeners. Because of the ELGs, most pulp and paper mills are
typically required to monitor for 2,3,7,8-TCDD and 2,3,7,8-TCDF, and these monitoring results
are compiled in EPA's Permit Compliance System.
Alliance for Environmental Technology (AET) - An international association of chemical
manufacturers created to establish a clearing house of educational and technical resources
relating to chlorine dioxide and it's use in papermaking.
Adsorbable Organic Halides (AOX) - A bulk parameter that measures the total mass of
chlorinated organic matter in water and wastewater.
American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) - The national trade association of the
forest, pulp, paper, paperboard and wood products industry. AF&PA represent member
companies engaged in growing, harvesting and processing wood and wood fiber, manufacturing
pulp, paper and paperboard products from both virgin and recycled fiber, and producing
engineered and traditional wood products.
Best Available Technology Economically Achievable (BAT) - Effluent limitations guidelines
based on the Best Available Technology Economically Achievable (BAT). The factors
considered in assessing BAT include the cost of achieving BAT effluent reductions, the age of
equipment and facilities involved, the process employed, potential process changes, non water
quality environmental impacts, including energy requirements, and other such factors as the EPA
Administrator deems appropriate. The technology must also be economically achievable.
Best Conventional Pollutant Control Technology (BCT) - Effluent reduction levels for
conventional pollutants that go beyond the requirements for BPT, as required by the 1977
amendments to the Clean Water Act. These more stringent requirements must meet a two part
cost-reasonableness test.
Best Practicable Control Technology Currently Available (BPT) - EPA defines Best
Practicable Control Technology Currently Available (BPT) effluent limitations for conventional,
toxic, and non-conventional pollutants. Traditionally, EPA establishes BPT effluent limitations
based on the average of the best performances of facilities within the industry of various ages,
sizes, processes, or other common characteristics. Where existing performance is uniformly
inadequate, BPT may reflect higher levels of control than currently in place in an industrial
category if the Agency determines that the technology can be practically applied.
Bleach plant - All process equipment used for bleaching beginning with the first application of
bleaching agents (e.g., chlorine, chlorine dioxide, ozone, sodium or calcium hypochlorite, or
peroxide), each subsequent extraction stage, and each subsequent stage where bleaching agents
are applied to the pulp. For mills in Subpart E producing specialty grades of pulp, the bleach
plant includes process equipment used for the hydrolysis or extraction stages prior to the first
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Glossary
application of bleaching agents. Process equipment used for oxygen delignification prior to the
application of bleaching agents is not part of the bleach plant.
Bleach plant effluent - The total discharge of process wastewaters from the bleach plant from
each physical bleach line operated at the mill, comprising separate acid and alkaline filtrates or
the combination thereof.
Bleached pulp - Pulp that has been purified or whitened by chemical treatment to alter or
remove coloring matter and has taken on a higher brightness characteristic.
Bleaching - The process of further delignifying and whitening pulp by chemically treating it to
alter the coloring matter and to impart a higher brightness.
Bleaching chemicals - A variety of chemicals used in the bleaching of pulp such as chlorine
(C12), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), calcium hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)2), chlorine dioxide (C1O2),
peroxide (H2O2), oxygen (O2), ozone (O3), and others. Also referred to as bleaching chemical.
Congener - A term of chemistry referring to one of many variants or configurations of a
common chemical structure. See dioxin and dioxin-like compounds.
Conventional pollutants - The pollutants identified in Section 304(a)(4) of the Clean Water Act
and the regulations there under (biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total suspended solids
(TSS), oil and grease, fecal coliform, and pH).
Chlorinated Phenolic Compounds - Chlorinated phenolic compounds include phenols,
guaiacols, catechols, and vanillins substituted with from one to five chlorine atoms per molecule.
Typically, bleaching processes that result in the formation of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and 2,3,7,8-TCDF
also generate the higher substituted tri-, tetra-, and penta-chlorinated compounds. EPA
established effluent limitations guidelines and pretreatment standards for 12 chlorinated phenolic
compounds in 1998.
Cluster Rules - The Cluster Rules apply to mills with operations subject to 40 CFR Part 430
Subpart B, Bleached Papergrade Kraft and Soda, and Subpart E, Papergrade Sulfite. The Cluster
Rules regulate toxic and nonconventional pollutants that are characteristic of mills that bleach
chemical pulp with chlorine-containing compounds. These pollutants include adsorbable organic
halides (AOX), chloroform, TCDD, TCDF, and 12 chlorinated phenolic compounds.
Deinked Pulp - Fiber reclaimed from wastepaper by removing ink, coloring materials, and
fillers.
Dioxin and Dioxin-like Compounds - The 17 CDDs and CDFs compounds (called congeners),
which include chlorine substitution of hydrogen atoms at the 2, 3, 7, and 8 positions on the
benzene rings. The 17 congeners are referred to as 'dioxin-like,' because of the similar chemical
structure, similar physical-chemical properties, and invoke a common battery of toxic responses,
though the toxicity of the congeners varies greatly. The TRI method of reporting requires that
facilities report the total mass of all 17 congeners.
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Glossary
Direct discharger - A facility that discharges or may discharge treated or untreated process
wastewaters, noncontact cooling waters, or nonprocess wastewaters (including stormwater
runoff) into waters of the United States.
Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) - Compliance reports required by NPDES permits.
Facilities with major discharges are required to monitor their discharges and submit monitoring
reports to their permitting authority at a frequency specified by the permit.
Effluent Data Statistics (EDS) - An EPA mainframe computer program than calculates facility
annual pollutant loads (kg/year) using compliance monitoring data reported in PCS.
Effluent limitation - Any restriction, including schedules of compliance, established by a state
or the Administrator on quantities, rates, and concentrations of chemical, physical, biological,
and other constituents which are discharged from point sources into navigable waters, the waters
of the contiguous zone, or the ocean.
Effluent limitations guidelines and standards (ELGs) - Categorical regulations developed by
EPA as required by the Clean Water Act.
Elemental chlorine-free (ECF) - Any process for bleaching pulps in the absence of elemental
chlorine and hypochlorite that uses chlorine dioxide as the only chlorine-containing bleaching
agent.
Fiber line - A series of operations employed to convert wood or other fibrous raw material into
pulp. If the final product is bleached pulp, the fiber line encompasses pulping, de-knotting,
brownstock washing, pulp screening, centrifugal cleaning, and multiple bleaching and washing
stages.
Final effluent - Pulp or paper mill wastewater discharges to receiving waters including streams,
lakes, and other waters of the United States.
Furnish - Raw materials (hardwood or softwood) used to manufacture market pulp, paper, or
paperboard.
Indirect discharger - A facility that discharges or may discharge wastewaters into a publicly
owned treatment works or a treatment works not owned by the discharging facility.
Integrated mill - A mill that produces pulp and may use none, some, or all of that pulp (often in
combination with purchased pulp) to produce paper or paperboard products.
Kraft process - Sulfate chemical pulping process.
Mechanical pulp - Pulp produced by reducing pulpwood logs and chips into their fiber
components by the use of mechanical energy (at CMP or CTMP mills, also with the use of
chemicals or heat), via grinding stones or refiners.
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Glossary
Minimum level (ML) - The level at which the analytical system gives recognizable signals and
an acceptable calibration point. The MLs for pollutants regulated by the Cluster Rules are
specified in 40 CFR 430.01(1).
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) - A system for classifying
economic activity developed jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
National Council of the Paper Industry for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc (NCASI) -
An independent, nonprofit research institute that focuses on environmental topics of interest to
the forest products industry. NCASI is a source of data on environmental issues affecting this
industry, and has more than 75 member companies throughout the United States and Canada.
Nonconventional pollutants - Pollutants that are neither conventional pollutants nor priority
pollutants (see 40 CFR Section 401.15 and Part 423, Appendix A).
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) - The NPDES program is
authorized by the Clean Water Act and requires permits for the discharge of pollutants from any
point source into waters of the United States.
Outfall - The mouth of conduit drains and other conduits from which a mill effluent discharges
into receiving waters.
Paperboard - Thick, heavyweight paper product. Nominally, sheets above 0.3 mm are classed
as paperboard. May be referred to simply as "board."
Picograms (pg) - one trillionth (10"12) of a gram. One pg/liter is equivalent to one part per
quadrillion (ppq).
Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PAC) - Sometimes known as polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs), these are a class of organic compounds consisting of two or more fused
aromatic rings.
PCSLoads2002 - A Microsoft Access™ database in which EPA has compiled data taken from
PCS, the calculated TWPE, and the relationship between SIC codes and regulatory categories.
The data taken from PCS represent wastewater discharged in calendar year 2002.
Permit Compliance System (PCS) - An EPA mainframe database created by EPA to track
permit, compliance, and enforcement status of facilities regulated by the NPDES program under
the Clean Water Act.
Peroxide - A short name for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or sodium peroxide (Na2O2).
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (CDFs) -
CDDs and CDFs constitute a group of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals.
Facilities are required to report to EPA's TRI the total mass of 17 of these CDDs and CDFs
released to the environment every year. The 17 compounds (called congeners) are referred to as
'dioxin-like,' because they have similar chemical structure, similar physical-chemical properties,
xiv
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Glossary
and invoke a common battery of toxic responses, though the toxicity of the congeners varies
greatly.
Pretreatment standard - A regulation addressing industrial wastewater effluent quality required
for discharge to a POTW.
Process wastewater - For the effluent guidelines for Subparts B and E of the Pulp, Paper, and
Paperboard Point Source Category (40 CFR Part 430), process water is any water that, during
manufacturing or processing, comes into direct contact with or results from the production or use
of any raw material, intermediate product, finished product, by-product, or waste product. For
purposes of Subparts B and E, process wastewater includes boiler blowdown; wastewaters from
water treatment and other utility operations; blowdowns from high rate (e.g., greater than 98
percent) recycled noncontact cooling water systems to the extent they are mixed and cotreated
with other process wastewaters; wastewater, including leachates, from landfills owned by pulp
and paper mills subject to Subparts B or E if the wastewater is commingled with wastewater
from the mill's manufacturing or processing facility; and stormwaters from the immediate
process areas to the extent they are mixed and cotreated with other process wastewaters.
Contaminated ground waters from on-site or off-site ground water remediation projects are not
process wastewater.
Process water - Water used to dilute, wash, or carry raw materials, pulp, and any other materials
used in the manufacturing process.
Pretreatment Standards for Existing Sources (PSES) - categorical regulations for indirect
dischargers designed to prevent the discharge of pollutants that pass through, interfere with, or
are otherwise incompatible with the operation of POTWs, including sludge disposal methods at
POTWs.
Pulp and Paper Category, Phase I - When EPA revised 40 CFR Part 430 in 1998, it
reorganized the category into 12 subcategories and promulgated new ELGs for two
subcategories, Subpart B (Bleached Papergrade Kraft and Soda) and Subpart E (Papergrade
Sulfite). Subparts B and E became known as Phase I; EPA promulgated revised ELGs for these
subparts April 15, 1998 (63 FR 18504).
Pulp and Paper Category, Phase II - EPA planned to promulgate ELGs for the Phase II
subcategories (Subparts C and F through L) after promulgating the final rules for the Phase I
subcategories.
Pulp and Paper Category, Phase III - The two dissolving pulp subcategories (Subpart A,
Dissolving Kraft, and Subpart D, Dissolving Sulfite).
Pulp bleaching - The process of further delignifying and whitening pulp by chemically treating
it to alter the coloring matter and to impart a higher brightness.
Secondary fiber - Furnish consisting of recovered material. Secondary fiber includes recycled
paper or paperboard known commonly as "post-consumer" recycled material. The term
secondary fiber is used both for the raw material (wastepaper, old corrugated containers, etc.)
and the pulp produced from the wastepaper and board.
xv
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Glossary
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) - A system for classifying economic activity
developed by the Office of Management and Budget and used by other government agencies,
including EPA, to promote data comparability. In the SIC system, each establishment is
classified according to its primary economic activity, which is determined by its principal
product or group of products. An establishment may have activities in more than one SIC code.
Soda process - A chemical pulping process that consists of the reduction of chips to their
individual fiber components by use of cooking liquor made up of caustic soda (NaOH) solution,
the recovery and preparation of this liquor, or the treatment of pulp and paper produced from it.
Sulfite process - An acid pulp manufacturing process in which chips are reduced to their
component parts by cooking (digesting) in a pressurized vessel using a liquor of calcium,
sodium, magnesium or ammonia salts of sulfurous acid.
Totally chlorine-free (TCF) bleaching - Pulp bleaching operations that are performed without
the use of chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, chlorine
monoxide, or any other chlorine-containing compound.
Toxicity Equivalents (TEQ) - a calculated value that allows the comparison of toxicity of
different combinations of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. To calculate a TEQ, a toxic
equivalent factor (TEF) is assigned to each member of the dioxin and dioxin-like compounds
category. The TEF is the ratio of the toxicity of one of the compounds in this category to the
toxicity of the most toxic compound in the category 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, which
is assigned a TEF of 1. TEFs that have been established through international agreements
currently range from 1 to 0.0001.
Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) - TRI is the common name for Section 313 of the Emergency
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). Each year, facilities that meet certain
thresholds must report their releases and other waste management activities for listed toxic
chemicals. That is, facilities must report the quantities of toxic chemicals recycled, collected and
combusted for energy recovery, treated for destruction, or disposed of. A separate report must be
filed for each chemical that exceeds the reporting threshold. EPA compiles the reported
information into a publicly available database known as the Toxics Release Inventory.
Toxic-weighted pound equivalents (TWPE) - Multiplying the pounds of pollutants discharged
by chemical-specific toxic weighting factors results in an estimate of toxic-weighted pound
equivalents (TWPE).
Toxic weighting factors (TWFs) - Weighting factors that reflect both aquatic life and human
health effects and were developed by EPA's Office of Water/Engineering and Analysis Division
(EAD) for use in regulatory development.
TRIReleases2002 - A Microsoft Access™ database in which EPA has compiled data taken from
TRI, the adjusted releases from POTWs to surface waters, the calculated TWPE, and the
relationship between SIC codes and regulatory categories. The data taken from TRI represent
facility-reported releases that occurred in calendar year 2002.
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Glossary
TRIReleases2003 - A Microsoft Access™ database similar to TRIReleases2002, except that it
uses TRI2003 release data.
Unbleached pulp - Pulp that has not been treated in a bleaching process.
Voluntary Advanced Technology Incentives Program (VATIP) - The program established
under 40 CFR Part 430.24(b) (for existing direct dischargers) and 40 CFR Part 430.25(c) (for
new direct dischargers) whereby participating mills agree to accept enforceable effluent
limitations and conditions in their NPDES permits that are more stringent than the "baseline
BAT limitations or NSPS" that would otherwise apply, in exchange for regulatory- and
enforcement-related rewards and incentives.
Wastewater - Water carrying waste materials from a facility. It is a mixture of water, and
dissolved and suspended pollutants.
xvn
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Section 1.0- Introduction
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Section 304(b) of the Clean Water Act requires EPA to annually review and, if
appropriate, revise its technology-based regulations, called effluent limitations guidelines and
standards. These guidelines limit the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States from
various categories of industrial facilities. Section 304(m) supplements the core requirement of
section 304(b) by requiring EPA to publish a plan every two years announcing its schedule for
performing this annual review and its schedule for rulemaking for any effluent guideline selected
for possible revision as a result of that annual review. EPA last published an Effluent Guidelines
Program Plan in 2004 (69 FR 53705; September 2, 2004). EPA's Preliminary 2006 Effluent
Guidelines Program Plan was published for public comment August 29, 2005 (70 FR 51042).
During its 2005 screening-level analysis of discharges from categories with
existing regulations, EPA determined that the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Point Source
Category ranked higher than any other category in discharges of toxic and nonconventional
pollutants1. Because of these findings, EPA conducted a more detailed study of this category.
The primary purpose of this detailed study is to determine whether EPA should revise the
existing categorical effluent limitations guidelines and pretreatment standards (ELGs). To
determine if it should revise existing ELGs, EPA investigated the sources of the toxic pollutants
discharged from at pulp and paper mills. These toxic pollutants include dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds, polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), metals, and other pollutants.
A secondary purpose of this detailed study is to determine how the revisions of
the categorical ELGs that were promulgated in 1998 have been implemented, their effect on mill
discharges, and whether they should be further revised to provide additional control of pollutants
originating from bleaching operations.
1 One mill accounted for more than 99 percent of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin discharges tallied in EPA's
Permit Compliance System (PCS) for this industrial category in 2002. With or without these discharges from this
one mill, this category ranks higher than any other category in terms of the estimated combined 2002 toxic
discharges from EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) and PCS databases. See Section 5.2 for more discussion of
this mill's discharges.
1-1
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Section 1.0- Introduction
Additionally, EPA considered whether there are industrial sectors not currently
subject to effluent guidelines or pretreatment standards that should be considered potential new
subcategories of this category. Although the primary purpose of the detailed study is to
determine whether it is be appropriate for EPA to revise the existing effluent guidelines, its
decision to conduct a detailed study on this category does not mean that EPA is required to
revise its regulations for this category.
1.1 Industry Description
Mills that manufacture pulp, paper, or paperboard are generally classified under
three Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes that identify their principal product or group
of products. The three SIC codes used to identify facilities in the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard
Point Source Category (hereafter the Pulp and Paper Category) are:
• SIC Code 2611 - Pulp Mills: Establishments primarily engaged in
manufacturing pulp from wood or from other materials, such as rags,
linters, wastepaper, and straw.
• SIC Code 2621 - Paper Mills: Establishments primarily engaged in
manufacturing paper from wood pulp and other fiber pulp, and which may
also manufacture converted paper products.
• SIC Code 2631 - Paperboard Mills: Establishments primarily engaged in
manufacturing paperboard, including paperboard coated on the paperboard
machine, from wood pulp and other fiber pulp; and which may also
manufacture converted paperboard products.
A mill may have activities in one or more SIC code. For example, integrated
mills make pulp from wood or other raw materials (SIC code 2611). They then use this pulp to
make paper (SIC code 2621) and/or paperboard (SIC code 2631). Thus, an integrated mill's
primary product may be paper, but it also manufactures pulp. The pulp manufacturing
operations are likely to be the major source of wastewater pollutants. A non-integrated mill does
not make pulp, but purchases pulp to make paper or paperboard.
Table 1-1 lists the three SIC codes assigned to the Pulp and Paper Category and
eight SIC codes for facilities that convert paper or paperboard into products such as boxes or
1-2
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Section 1.0- Introduction
bags. EPA is considering including operations of these eight additional SIC codes as potential
new subcategories of the Pulp and Paper Category. See Section 4.1 for discussion of these
potential new subcategories.
Table 1-1 also lists the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS)
codes that apply to the pulp and paper industry. The U.S. Economic Census reports data by the
NAICS code. However, the wastewater discharge information in EPA's TRI and PCS databases
is organized by SIC code. For this reason, to compare the number of facilities enumerated by the
census to the number of facilities in the EPA databases, EPA converted the NAICS data in Table
1-1 to the equivalent SIC code. Note that SIC codes 2621, 2671, and 2679 do not correlate
directly to individual NAICS codes.
As shown in Table 1-1, more facilities are identified as SIC code 2611 (pulp
mills) in EPA's TRI and PCS databases than are counted in the census as establishments
primarily engaged in manufacturing pulp for the following reasons. For the census, facilities are
assigned to an SIC code based on the revenues from products sold. For TRI, facilities identify
the SIC codes that are the source of their toxic releases. For PCS, permitting authorities identify
the SIC code that is the source of wastewater discharges. Many mills manufacture pulp but use it
on site to make paper instead of selling it on the market. Because pulping operations generate
more pollutant loads than paper and paperboard manufacturing operations, mills will be
identified as SIC code 2611 (pulp mills) in TRI and PCS but as SIC codes 2621 or 2631 (paper
and paperboard mills) in the census.
As mentioned earlier, Table 1-1 also lists eight SIC codes used for facilities that
convert purchased paper and paperboard into products, such as boxes, bags, and packaging
papers. The existing ELGs for the Pulp and Paper Category at 40 CFR 430 do not apply to
wastewaters from converting operations. Although some of these facilities report wastewater
discharges to TRI, PCS contains no pollutant discharge data for facilities in these eight SIC
codes because none of them are considered major dischargers.
1-3
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Section 1.0- Introduction
Table 1-1. Number of Pulp and Paper Facilities
SIC
Code
2611
2621
2631
NAICS
Code
3221-10
3221-21,
3221-22
3221-30
Point Source Category
Pulp Mills
Paper Mills
Paperboard Mills
2002 U.S.
Economic
Census
32
329
199
560
2002
TRT
77
151
101
329
2002 PCSb
Major
96
144
52
292
Minor
9
22
8
39
Potential New Subcategories
2653
2655
2656
2657
2671
2672
2674
2679
3222-11
3222-14
3222-15
3222-12
3222-21,
326112
3222-22
3222-24
3222-31,
3222-99
Corrugated and Solid Fiber Boxes
Fiber Cans, Tubes, Drums, and
Similar Products
Sanitary Food Containers, Except
Folding
Folding Paperboard Boxes,
Including Sanitary
Packaging Paper and Plastics
Film, Coated and Laminated
Coated and Laminated Paper, Not
Elsewhere Classified
Uncoated Paper and Multiwall
Bags
Converted Paper and Paperboard
Products, Not Elsewhere
Classified
1,719
261
72
490
391
541
123
869
4,466
16
2
4
7
49
90
1
11
180
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
4
1
5
1
3
19
Source: U.S. Economic Census, 2002; TRIReleases2002; PCSLoads2002.
"Releases to any media.
bPCS is divided into major and minor dischargers.
1-4
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Section 1.0- Introduction
1.2 Regulatory Background
Between 1974 and 1986, EPA promulgated ELGs for the Pulp and Paper
Category. For these regulations, EPA divided the industry into 25 subcategories, based on the
products made and processes used at the mills.
A 1988 legal suit obligated EPA to address discharges of poly chlorinated
dibenzo-(p)-dioxins and poly chlorinated dibenzofurans2 from 104 bleaching pulp mills,
including nine dissolving pulp mills. While meeting that obligation, EPA also reviewed ELGs
for the entire Pulp and Paper Category. As part of that review, EPA reorganized the category
into 12 subcategories. Although the Pulp and Paper Category regulations apply to all facilities in
SIC codes 2611, 2621, and 2631, the 12 subcategories are organized by process used and product
produced and do not correspond to SIC codes.
During its response to the 1988 legal suit, EPA decided to review and revise the
Pulp and Paper Category regulations in three phases. Table 1-2 presents these three phases and
the subcategories EPA planned to address in each phase.
In revising the Pulp and Paper Category regulations, EPA first addressed two
subcategories, Subpart B (Bleached Papergrade Kraft and Soda) and Subpart E (Papergrade
Sulfite), because these subparts applied to the majority of the 104 mills identified in the 1988
suit3. Subparts B and E became known as Phase I; EPA promulgated revised ELGs for these
subparts April 15, 1998 (63 FR 18504). EPA promulgated the Phase I ELGs at the same time it
promulgated National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) for kraft
and sulfite pulp mills. Because these water and air regulations were developed, analyzed, and
promulgated jointly, they are called the Cluster Rules.
2 Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (CDFs) constitute a group of
persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals. Facilities are required to report to EPA's TRI the total mass of 17
of these CDDs and CDFs released to the environment every year. In this report, EPA uses the term "dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds" to refer to the total mass of the 17 CDDs and CDFs, as reported to TRI.
For discharges from certain mills in the Pulp and Paper Category, EPA promulgated ELGs for two specific dioxins:
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran. In this report, these compounds are
referred to as TCDD and TCDF, respectively. See Section 3.2 of this report for a discussion of dioxin and dioxin-
like compounds.
3 The remainder of the 104 mills identified in the 1988 suit were in Subpart A, Dissolving Kraft, and Subpart D,
Dissolving Sulfite. These two subparts became known as Phase III.
1-5
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Section 1.0- Introduction
Table 1-2. Relationship Between Pulp and Paper Regulatory Phases and Subcategories
Phase
I
II
III
Subpart
B
E
C
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
A
D
Subcategory
Bleached Papergrade Kraft and Soda
Papergrade Sulfite
Unbleached Kraft
Semi-Chemical
Groundwood, Chemi-Mechanical, and Chemi-Thermo-Mechanical
Non-Wood Chemical Pulp
Secondary Fiber Deink
Secondary Fiber Non-Deink
Fine and Lightweight Papers from Purchased Pulp
Tissue, Filter, Non- Woven and Paperboard from Purchased
Pulp
Dissolving Kraft
Dissolving Sulfite
Note: EPA promulgated revised ELGs for Phase I, known as the Cluster Rules on April 15, 1998. EPA has not
promulgated revised ELGs for Phase II or Phase III.
Eight subcategories are known as Phase II and are listed in Table 1-2. EPA has
not revised the ELGs for these subcategories, which were promulgated between 1974 and 1986.
Phase III affected the two dissolving pulp subcategories (Subpart A, Dissolving
Kraft, and Subpart D, Dissolving Sulfite). EPA did not promulgate revised ELGs addressing
TCDD and TCDF for Phase III in 1998, because the affected companies were undertaking a
multiyear laboratory study and mill trial to develop alternative bleaching technologies. EPA
anticipated that final ELGs would be based on different technologies than those that served as
the basis for the Phase I regulations. As of August 2006, there were only three operating mills in
these two subcategories. As part of its 2004 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan, EPA determined
that rather than promulgate revised ELGs for Phase III mills, EPA would support NPDES permit
writers individually in developing permit-specific effluent limitations to control TCDD and
TCDF releases from these three mills (see 69 FR 53,716; September 2, 2004).
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Section 1.0- Introduction
1.3 Detailed Study Scope
Only Phase I and Phase II mills were included in this investigation because, as
noted above, EPA previously determined that it would not promulgate revised ELGs for Phase
III mills. Because the Cluster Rules apply to Phase I mills, but not to Phase II mills, the
regulatory implementation analysis part of this detailed study addresses only Phase I mills.
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Section 2.0- Data Sources
2.0 DATA SOURCES
This section describes the data sources used for the pulp and paper detailed study
as well as potential data quality limitations. Specific data sources used for this investigation
include readily available information from EPA's TRI and PCS databases, pulp and paper mill
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and related fact sheets, and
information provided by two industry groups, the American Forest and Paper Association
(AF&PA) and the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI). AF&PA is the
national trade association of the forest, pulp, paper, paperboard, and wood products industry.
NCASI is a nonprofit research institute funded by North American forest products industry,
including pulp and paper companies. Many of the companies that fund NCASI are also members
of AF&PA.
2.1 PCS
For its 2005 and 2006 screening-level analyses, EPA used 2002 discharge
monitoring data compiled in PCS to evaluate current mill discharges. PCS was created by EPA's
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance to track permit, compliance, and enforcement
status of facilities regulated by the NPDES program under the Clean Water Act. PCS contains
only permit-required monitoring data for direct-discharging facilities. As required by their
permits, mills file Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) with the state once a month (or at
other specified frequencies). Each mill's NPDES permit specifies the pollutants to monitor and
at what frequency. Pulp and paper mills that discharge to a publicly owned treatment works
(POTW) or that transfer their wastewater to a private waste treater do not submit DMRs;
therefore, their data are not included in PCS. In addition, PCS typically does not include data for
mills that states classify as "minor sources."
EPA estimated pollutant mass loadings for mills included in PCS and estimated
the toxicity of these discharges using toxic weighting factors (TWFs) to calculate toxic-weighted
pound equivalents (TWPE). EPA compiled the estimated PCS discharge loads, TWFs, and
related information into a Microsoft Access™ database called PCSLoads2002. For additional
information about the development ofPCSLoads2002, see the Screening-Level Analysis Report
2-1
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Section 2.0- Data Sources
(U.S. EPA, 2005a) and Technical Support Document for the 2006 Effluent Guidelines Program
Plan (U.S. EPA, 2006c).
2.1.1 Utility and Limitations of PCS Data
The data collected in PCS are particularly useful for the pulp and paper detailed
study for the following reasons:
• PCS is national in scope, including data from all 50 states and U.S.
territories.
PCS includes data for 74 of 77 Phase I mills and 118 of 175 Phase II mills.
• Discharge reports included in PCS are based on wastewater discharges
measured with flow meters and chemical analyses of effluent.
Additionally PCS includes information indicating when the monitored
pollutants were present in concentrations above the method detection
limits.
Limitations of the pulp and paper data collected in PCS include the following:
Some states do not submit all DMR data to PCS, or do not submit the data
in a timely fashion. For example, Washington State receives internal
monitoring data from mills and examines the data for compliance, but
does not submit the data to PCS. Only final outfall data are submitted.
PCS does not contain sufficient information to fully identify discharge
pipes. EPA could not always identify which discharge pipes carried
wastewaters from mill operations as opposed to discharges from landfills,
nonprocess area stormwater run-off, or other wastewaters not related to
mill operations.
2.2 TRI
EPA used data reported to TRI to estimate the mass of pollutants discharged by
industrial point source categories. Using the same methodology used with calculated PCS loads,
EPA estimated the toxicity of these discharges using TWFs to calculate TWPE, and compiled the
TRI data, TWFs, and related information into Microsoft Access™ databases called
TRIReleases2002 (for chemicals released in 2002) and TRIReleases2003 (for chemicals released
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Section 2.0- Data Sources
in 2003). For additional information about the development of the TRIReleases databases, see
the Screening-Level Analysis Report (U.S. EPA, 2005a) and the Technical Support Document for
the 2006Effluent Guidelines Plan (U.S. EPA, 2006c).
2.2.1 Utility and Limitations of TRI Data
The data collected in TRI are particularly useful as a starting point for the detailed
study for the following reasons:
• TRI includes data from all 50 states and U.S. territories;
• TRI includes data for all Phase I mills and 173 Phase II mills;
• TRI includes releases reported by both indirect and direct dischargers; and
• TRI includes releases of many pollutants, not just the pollutants with
NPDES permit limits.
Limitations of the data collected in TRI include the following:
Small establishments (less than 10 employees) are not required to report to
TRI. EPA expects that pulp and paper mills in all three regulatory phases
meet the facility size reporting threshold.
TRI requires the reporting of chemical releases only when a facility
manufactures, processes, or otherwise uses an amount greater than the TRI
reporting threshold (e.g., more than 0.1 grams/year of dioxin and dioxin-
like compounds, more than 100 pounds/year of PACs).
Per TRI guidance, release reports may be based on estimates, not
measurements. As a result, facilities may overstate releases because they
can be penalized for under-reporting releases.
Certain chemicals (PACs, dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, metal
compounds) are reported as a class, not as individual chemical
compounds. Because the individual compounds in the class have widely
varying toxic effects, the potential toxicity of chemical releases can be
inaccurately estimated.
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Section 2.0- Data Sources
2.3
NPDES Permits
One of the purposes of this detailed study is to evaluate the extent to which the
Cluster Rules have been incorporated into permits issued after 1998. EPA collected permits for
all but one currently operating Phase I mill or the POTWs treating their effluents. POTWs
receiving wastewater from Phase I mills may include effluent discharge limits that are similar to
mill limits. Table 2-1 shows the number of permits collected.
Table 2-1. Phase I Mill NPDES Permits Collected
Phase I
Bleached Papergrade
Kraft Mills
Phase I
Papergrade
Sulfite Mills
POTWs Receiving
Phase I Mill
Wastewater
Number of Mills
At promulgation (1998)
Idle or no longer in Phase I, as of 2004
Operational in 2004
84
12
72
11
5
6a
10
5
5
Number of Permits Collected
Industry -provided
EPA-collected
Total collected
48b
22
70e
2C
2
4C
0
4d
4d
Includes one papergrade sulfite mill (Wausau Mosinee Paper in Brokaw WI; NPDES: WI0003379) closed as of
November 2005.
blncludes two permits that cover two mills: two Parsons & Whittemore mills (Alabama Pine Pulp and Alabama
River Pulp) in Claiborne, AL, both bleached papergrade kraft mills, share a single permit; and two Domtar mills
(Nekoosa - a bleached papergrade kraft mill and Port Edwards - a papergrade sulfite mill) share a permit. Includes
one other permit shared by the Boise Cascade mill and the City of St. Helens POTW. Includes one other indirect
mill (SAPPI in Muskegon MI; NPDES: MI0001210) that ceased Phase I operations in August 2005; the facility is
now a Phase II mill.
'Excludes a permit shared by two Domtar mills (Nekoosa - a bleached papergrade kraft mill and Port Edwards - a
papergrade sulfite mill).
Includes one permit shared by the Boise Cascade mill and the City of St. Helens POTW.
eEPA identified a total of 70 permits for 72 bleached papergrade kraft mills, because the Alabama Pine Pulp and
Alabama River Pulp mills in Claiborne share a single permit and the Boise Cascade mill was identified as a POTW
receiving Phase I mill water.
AF&PA and its member companies provided the majority of the permits. EPA
contacted state permitting authorities to obtain permits not readily available on the Internet and
not provided by AF&PA. As of August, 2006, EPA had requested, but not received, a permit for
one POTW, the Bay County Wastewater Treatment Plant in Panama City, Florida.
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Section 2.0- Data Sources
EPA also collected permits for several operating Phase II mills to investigate how
permit writers had established discharge limits and monitoring requirements for metals and
nutrients for these mills. EPA obtained permits for 21 of the 173 Phase II mills with discharge
data in PCS.
2.4 Information Provided by Industry and Trade Associations
EPA met with representatives from AF&PA and NCASI three times during this
detailed study. At these meetings, EPA, AF&PA and NCASI discussed EPA's screening-level
review of PCS and TRI discharge data (Eastern Research Group, 2005a), how mills estimated
TRI-reported releases of PACs and dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, and EPA's need for
additional information, particularly about non-bleaching sources of wastewater pollutants, such
as metals and nutrients. In 2005, AF&PA member companies provided EPA with copies of
discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) and analytical results documenting errors in PCS-reported
data (Schwartz, 2005). In 2006, AF&PA member companies and NCASI provided EPA with
additional information about their basis for TRI reporting, NPDES permits and permit
application data, and NCASI Technical Bulletins related to metals and nutrient discharges.
2.4.1 Information from Commenters on the 2006 Preliminary ELG Plan
EPA published its Preliminary 2006 Effluent Guidelines Plan on August 29, 2005
(70 FR 51042). The docket supporting the preliminary plan included the Preliminary Report:
Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Detailed Study (U.S. EPA, 2005b). Comments EPA received on
the preliminary plan and preliminary detailed study report are located in EPA Docket Number
OW-2004-0032. Comments from industry stakeholders consisted largely of corrections to the
PCS and TRI databases and suggested revisions to report tables and text.
2.4.2 Other Industry-Supplied Data
EPA contacted selected mills based on the metal and dioxin and dioxin-like
compound discharges they reported to TRI. If mills indicated that their reported releases were
based on monitoring data, EPA asked them to provide any available direct measurement data
they had used to estimate their releases. EPA also asked about the source of metals in mill
2-5
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Section 2.0- Data Sources
effluents. EPA contacted representatives from 18 mills to discuss their basis for TRI reporting of
metal and dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. One additional facility (Graphic Packaging
International in Kalamazoo MI) was contacted regarding a large release of potassium dimethyl-
dithio-carbamate.
2.5 NPDES Permit Application (Form 2C) Data
When mills file applications for new or revised NPDES permits, they must
complete a Form 2C, which requires analyses of certain pollutants. Effluent data requirements
vary depending on the types of pollutants the permitting authority expects to be present in a
mill's wastewater. Facilities may also provide intake concentration data in their Form 2Cs.
EPA obtained Form 2C data representing effluents from 28 mills, including 18
Phase I mills and 10 Phase II mills. International Paper provided Form 2C data for 22 of its 23
mills, and six other mills in Pennsylvania and South Carolina also provided data. EPA used
Form 2C data to evaluate the concentrations of metals and PACs in mill effluent.
2.6 Information from States
EPA found that PCS did not include complete data for Washington State mill
discharges for the period 1998 to 2004. As of 2004, six active pulp and paper mills were located
in Washington State. Typically, these mills submit discharge data to the Washington Department
of Ecology, which imports the data into the state's database, examines them for compliance with
permit limits, and transfers the data to PCS. Washington State does not transfer in-plant
monitoring data to PCS. At EPA's request for the missing in-plant monitoring data, the
Washington Department of Ecology provided TCDD and TCDF bleach plant concentration data
for each of its active mills (Lange, 2005b).
The Washington Department of Ecology requires Kimberly-Clark, Everett to
submit annual study reports that describe the facility's actions taken to control TCDF in bleach
plant effluent. The Washington Department of Ecology provided EPA the 2004 and 2005 study
reports (Kurtz, 2004; Kurtz, 2005). EPA also discussed the prevalence of sea-floated logs with
Washington Department of Ecology staff because Kimberly-Clark investigations suggested
2-6
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Section 2.0- Data Sources
combustion of waste wood from these logs may be a source of their dioxin and dioxin-like
compound discharges (Lange, 2006a).
The state of Wisconsin established effluent limits for phosphorus in wastewaters
discharged to surface waters. The limits are designed to control anthropogenic eutrophication of
Wisconsin lakes and streams. State rules allow industrial facilities and municipalities to apply
for alternative effluent limitations. Wisconsin provided EPA with requests for alternative
phosphorus limits submitted by eight Wisconsin pulp and paper mills (Lange, 2006b).
2.7 Technical Literature Review
EPA searched technical literature for information concerning discharges of
metals, nutrients, TCDD, and TCDF from pulp and paper mills and technologies or practices
used to control those discharges. For this search, EPA used the database of abstracts and
reference citations maintained by the Dialog Corporation for peer-reviewed articles published
after 1989.
EPA developed a comprehensive list of key words including industry synonyms,
pollutants of interest, and pollutant removal terms. The Agency collected approximately 10
articles for each of the five questions below:
What technologies or practices do pulp and paper mills use to control
metals discharges?
What are the chemical forms of nitrogen and phosphorus discharged by
pulp and paper mills?
What are the nitrogen and phosphorus discharges from pulp and paper
mills, and what kind of environmental impacts have they had?
Even though TCDD and TCDF are not detected in mill effluents, are they
still bioaccumulating in organisms exposed to effluent? What kind of
environmental impacts have they had?
How have mills changed production process to comply with the Cluster
Rules? Can process improvements or additional pollution prevention
programs implemented since promulgation be identified?
2-7
-------
Section 2.0- Data Sources
2.8 Dioxin Fish Consumption Advisory Data Sources
For its review of dioxin fish consumption advisories, EPA used information from
EPA's National Listing of Fish and Wildlife Advisories: Advisory Report Query web site, fish
advisory web pages on state departments of health, state departments of environmental
protection web sites, reports and scientific publications on dioxin, fish advisories, and watershed
planning. EPA also consulted staff at state departments of health and state departments of
environmental protection.
2-8
-------
Section 3.0- Pulp and Paper Category Wastewater Pollutants
3.0 PULP AND PAPER CATEGORY WASTEWATER POLLUTANTS
As discussed in Sections 2.1 and 2.2, EPA used its TRIReleases2002,
TRIReleases2003, and PCSLoads2002 databases to conduct a screening-level analysis of
industry discharge data in 2005 and 2006 (U.S. EPA, 2005a; U.S. EPA, 2006c). As it began the
2005 screening-level analysis, EPA found that the toxic and nonconventional pollutant loadings
for the Pulp and Paper Category were driven by three groups of pollutants: dioxin and dioxin-
like compounds, polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), and metals. After discussing the
terminology used to describe concentrations below chemical analysis detection limits, this
section provides background on these three pollutant groups,
3.1 Chemical Analysis Detection Limits
Laboratories use a combination of chemical and physical techniques to identify
specific chemicals in wastewater and to quantify how much of the chemical is present. For each
analyte or chemical, laboratories use a standard analytical method to make these determinations.
Laboratories express the result of the analysis either numerically or as "not detected" or "not
quantitated." When the result is expressed numerically, then the pollutant was detected and
quantitated in the sample. For example, for a hypothetical pollutant X, the result would be
reported as "15 ng/L" when the laboratory quantitated the amount of pollutant X in the sample as
being 15
For the nonquantitated results for each sample, the laboratories report a "sample-
specific quantitation limit," though some laboratories use the term "sample-specific detection
limit." For example, for the hypothetical pollutant X, the laboratory would report the result as
"<10 |J,g/L" when it could not quantitate the amount of pollutant X in the sample. That is, the
analytical result indicated a value less than the sample-specific quantitation limit of 10 ng/L,
meaning the actual amount of pollutant X in that sample is between zero (i.e., the pollutant is not
present) and 10 |J,g/L. The sample-specific quantitation limit for a particular pollutant is
generally the smallest quantity in the calibration range that can be measured reliably in an
individual sample. If a pollutant is reported as not quantitated (or not detected), it does not mean
that the pollutant is not present in the wastewater sample, merely that analytical techniques
3-1
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Section 3.0- Pulp and Paper Category Wastewater Pollutants
(whether because of instrument limitations, pollutant interactions, or other reasons) could not
measure the pollutant at levels below the sample-specific quantitation limit.
In common parlance, a detection limit is the lowest concentration of an analyte
that can reliably distinguished from a zero concentration. Many terms have been used to express
the "detection limit" concept, some of which are:
• Quantitation Limit - concentration at which an analyte can be quantified
rather than simply identified (detected).
• Instrument Detection Limit - the smallest signal above background noise
that an instrument can detect reliably. This concept is used for certain
metals analysis methods that use atomic emission or atomic absorption
spectroscopy. This limit is laboratory- and time-specific.
• Method Detection Limit - a measure of method sensitivity, defined at 40
CFR Part 136 Appendix B as "the minimum concentration of a substance
that can be reported with 99 percent confidence that the analyte
concentration is greater than zero." MDLs can be operator-, method-,
laboratory-, and matrix-specific.
• Practical Quantitation Level - a term used in EPA's drinking water
program, defined as "the lowest concentration of an analyte that can be
reliably measured within specified limits of precision and accuracy during
routine laboratory operating conditions."
• Minimum Level - a term defined in recently promulgated analytical
methods as the lowest concentration at which the entire analytical system
can give a recognizable signal and acceptable calibration point for the
analyte.
Three groups of pollutants drive the Pulp and Paper Category toxic and
nonconventional pollutant loadings: dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, PACs, and metals. EPA
has defined a minimum level (ML) for most of the analytical methods used to quantitate these
pollutants. When an ML is published in a method, EPA has demonstrated that at least one well-
operated laboratory can achieve the ML. Further, any laboratory using that method is required to
demonstrate, through calibration of the analytical instrument or analytical system, that it can
make measurements at the ML. Additional information about the analytical methods used for
pollutants of concern in this study, and their MLs, is provided in the remainder of this section.
5-2
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Section 3.0- Pulp and Paper Category Wastewater Pollutants
As discussed in Section 2.0, EPA used chemical concentration data from a variety
of sources in this study. In some cases, the analytical method used to determine the
concentrations was reported with the data. In those cases, results that were "not detected" are
referred to as "less than the method ML." In other cases where the analytical method was not
reported with the data, results that were "not detected" are presented as reported: "< the reported
sample-specific quantitation limit, "not detected," or "0."
3.2 Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
As discussed in EPA's Guidance for Reporting Toxic Chemicals within the
Dioxin andDioxin-like Compounds Category (U.S. EPA, 2000c), the term 'dioxin and dioxin-
like compounds' refers to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs) and polychlorinated
dibenzofurans (CDFs). The most toxic of this family of compounds is 2,3,7,8-
tetrachlorodibenzo-^-dioxin (TCDD), which is often referred to as 'dioxin.' However, there are
16 other CDDs and CDFs compounds (called congeners) that, like TCDD, include chlorine
substitution of hydrogen atoms at the 2, 3, 7, and 8 positions on the benzene rings. The 17
compounds (TCDD and the 16 other congeners) are referred to as 'dioxin-like,' because they
have similar chemical structure, similar physical-chemical properties, and invoke a common
battery of toxic responses. However, the toxicity of individual congeners varies greatly. In this
report, EPA uses the term "dioxin and dioxin-like compounds" to refer to all 17 of the 2,3,7,8-
substituted CDDs and CDFs, as reported to TRI.
Table 3-1 lists these 17 compounds, their chemical name, common abbreviated
name, the EPA Method 1613B minimum level, World Health Organization (WHO) toxic
equivalent factor, and EPA's toxic weighting factor (TWF) for each compound.
5-3
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Section 3.0- Pulp and Paper Category Wastewater Pollutants
Table 3-1. Dioxin and Dioxin-like Compounds: Minimum Levels, Toxic Equivalency
Factors, and TWFs
CAS
Number
Chemical Name
Abbreviated
Name
1613BML
pg/L
Toxic Equivalency
Factor*
TWF"
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs)
1746-01-6
40321-76-4
39227-28-6
57653-85-7
19408-74-3
35822-46-9
3268-87-9
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-
dioxin
1 ,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzo-
p-dioxin
1,2,3,4,7,8-
hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
1,2,3,6,7,8-
hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
1,2,3,7,8,9-
hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-
heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-
octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
2,3,7,8-TCDD
1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD
1,2,3,4,7,8-
HxCDD
1,2,3,6,7,8-
HxCDD
1,2,3,7,8,9-
HxCDD
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-
HpCDD
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-
OCDD
10
50
50
50
50
50
100
1
1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.01
0.0001
703,584,000
692,928,000
23,498,240
9,556,480
10,595,840
411,136
6,586
Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (CDFs)
51207-31-9
57117-41-6
57117-31-4
70648-26-9
57117-44-9
72918-21-9
60851-34-5
67562-39-4
55673-89-7
39001-02-0
2,3,7,8-
tetrachlorodibenzofuran
1,2,3,7,8-
pentachlorodibenzofuran
2,3,4,7,8-
pentachlorodibenzofuran
1,2,3,4,7,8-
hexachlorodibenzofuran
1,2,3,6,7,8-
hexachlorodibenzofuran
1,2,3,7,8,9-
hexachlorodibenzofuran
2,3,4,6,7,8-
hexachlorodibenzofuran
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-
heptachlorodibenzofuran
1,2,3,4,7,8,9-
heptachlorodibenzofuran
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-
octachlorodibenzofuran
2,3,7,8-TCDF
1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF
2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF
1,2,3,4,7,8-
HxCDF
1,2,3,6,7,8-
HxCDF
1,2,3,7,8,9-
HxCDF
2,3,4,6,7,8-
HxCDF
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-
HpCDF
1,2,3,4,7,8,9-
HpCDF
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-
OCDF
10
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
100
0.1
0.05
0.5
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.01
0.01
0.0001
43,819,554
7,632,640
557,312,000
5,760,000
14,109,440
47,308,800
51,204,160
85,760
3,033,984
2,021
aToxic Equivalency Factors are from van Leeuwen, 1997.
bTWFs are from 2005 Screening-Level Analysis Report (U.S. EPA, 2005a).
5-4
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Section 3.0- Pulp and Paper Category Wastewater Pollutants
3.2.1 Method 1613B Minimum Levels
EPA's promulgated method for water and wastewater analysis of dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds is Method 1613B. This method establishes the minimum concentration
at which these compounds can be reliably quantified. Table 3-1 lists the Method 1613B MLs for
TCDD and the 16 dioxin-like compounds. Analytical laboratories may use internal standards to
quantify concentrations below the lowest acceptable calibration point and thus report detected
concentrations that are below the method ML. The accuracy of concentrations measured below
the Method 1613B ML is less certain than concentrations measured at or above the method ML.
EPA does not typically establish numerical discharge limits for concentrations less than the
method ML.
3.2.2 Toxic Equivalency Factors
Toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) are used to simplify risk assessment and
regulatory control of exposures to dioxin and dioxin-like compounds and still account for the
relative toxicities of the 17 compounds. As defined by van Leeuwen (Van Leeuwen, 1997), a
TEF is a relative potency value that is based on the results of several in vivo and in vitro studies.
TEFs are order-of-magnitude estimates of the toxicity of a compound relative to 2,3,7,8-TCDD.
TEFs along with the measured concentration of dioxin congeners are used to calculate toxic
equivalent (TEQ) concentrations. EPA used WHO TEFs to calculate the grams TEQ. Table 3-1
lists the TEFs for the 17 dioxin and dioxin-like compounds.
3.2.3 TRI Reporting Requirements
otherwise use more than 0.;
TRI requires that facilities report releases if they manufacture, process, or
more than 0.1 grams/year of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. Mills report the
mass discharged to surface waters (for facilities discharging directly to a receiving stream) or
transferred to a POTW (for indirect dischargers). They are not, however, required to report
releases less than 0.0001 gram/year (100 micrograms/year).
5-5
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Section 3.0- Pulp and Paper Category Wastewater Pollutants
Unlike NPDES permit compliance monitoring, TRI does not require facilities to
measure waste stream pollutant concentrations. Instead, facilities may use emission factors, mass
balances, or other engineering calculations to estimate releases. In addition to reporting the
amount of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds released, facilities are required to report to TRI the
method used to estimate their releases.
Facilities (including pulp and paper mills) are required to report to TRI the total
mass of the 17 dioxin and dioxin-like compounds released to the environment every year. The
TRI method of reporting the total mass of all congeners does not account for the relative
toxicities of the 17 compounds. However, reporting facilities can report a facility-specific
congener distribution. For the 2005 screening-level analysis (U.S. EPA, 2005a), EPA estimated
the amount of each dioxin and dioxin-like compound present in a mill's discharge using the
TRI-reported congener distribution. EPA then multiplied the estimated mass of each congener in
the mill's discharge by the congener's TWF. If a mill did not report a congener distribution,
EPA used an industry-average distribution to calculate the mass of each congener released. For
the Pulp and Paper Category, because the congener distribution is more related to the bleaching
process than to the product, EPA calculated the average dioxin and dioxin-like compounds
distribution separately for Phases I, II, and III.
For the 2006 review, EPA revised the methodology used to estimate the TWPE of
reported releases of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. EPA did not use the dioxin congener
distribution pulp and paper mills reported to TRI. Instead, EPA used the actual distribution of
wastewater effluent measurement data provided by individual mills. If such data were not
available, EPA used the dioxin congener distribution of the mill discharges used to develop the
NCASI SARA Handbook emission factor. See Memorandum: Calculation of a Category-
Specific Toxic Weighting Factor for "Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds" Reported Released
to EPA's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) by Pulp, Paperboard and Paper Mills (Matuszko, 2006)
for more details.
-------
Section 3.0- Pulp and Paper Category Wastewater Pollutants
3.2.4 Effluent Guidelines Monitoring Requirements
In 1998, EPA established ELGs for two dioxin compounds, TCDD and TCDF, for
two subcategories of the Pulp and Paper Category. The 1998 regulations require mills to
demonstrate compliance with TCDD and TCDF limits where wastewater leaves the bleach plant.
EPA refers to these in-process limits as "bleach plant effluent limits." For more detail on bleach
plant monitoring requirements, see Section 5.2.2.
3.3 Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
PACs, sometimes known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are a class
of organic compounds consisting of three or more fused aromatic rings. Table 3-2 lists the 21
individual compounds in the PAC category for TRI reporting, Chemical Abstract Service (CAS)
number, analytical method detection limit, and EPA TWF. At the time of the 2005 screening-
level analysis, EPA had developed TWFs for only 8 of the 21 PACs (ERG, 2005c). These TWFs
are listed in the column "TWF (12/04)" in Table 3-2. In response to comments on these TWFs
and review of other available data, EPA developed TWFs for two additional PACs and revised
the TWFs for two others (U.S. EPA, 2006b). EPA used the April 2006 TWFs in its 2006 annual
review.
Most of the 21 PACs are products of incomplete combustion. Twelve of the 21
PACs are reported to be found in fossil fuels. PACs and closely related compounds are major
constituents of creosote, a commonly used wood preservative (U.S. EPA, 2001).
For TRI, facilities must report the combined mass of PACs released; they do not
report releases of individual compounds. In the preliminary screening-level review of the 2002
TRI database, EPA assumed that all of the PACs reported released by pulp and paper mills were
benzo(a)pyrene. Because benzo(a)pyrene has the highest TWF (100.66) of the PACs, this was a
"worst case" assumption.
5-7
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Section 3.0- Pulp and Paper Category Wastewater Pollutants
Table 3-2. Definition of PACs
PAC Compound
Benzo(a)anthracene
Benzo(a)phenanthrene (chrysene)
Benzo(a)pyrene
Benzo(b)fluoranthene
Benzo(j )fluoranthene
Benzo(k)fluoranthene
Benzo(j,k)fluorene (fluoranthene)
Benzo(r,s,t)pentaphene
Dibenz(a,h)acridine
Dibenz(a j )acridine
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene
Dibenzo(a,e)fluoranthene
Dibenzo(a,e)pyrene
Dibenzo(a,h)pyrene
Dibenzo(a,l)pyrene
7H-Dibenzo(e,g)carbazole
7, 1 2-Dimethy lbenz(a)anthracene
Indeno( 1 ,2,3-cd)pyrene
3-Methylcholanthrene
5 -Methy Ichry sene
1-Nitropyrene
CAS Number
56-55-3
218-01-9
50-32-8
205-99-2
205-82-3
207-08-9
206-44-0
189-55-9
226-36-8
224-42-0
53-70-3
5385-75-1
192-65-4
189-64-0
191-30-0
194-59-2
57-97-6
193-39-5
56-49-5
3697-24-3
5522-43-0
Method
Detection
Limit
(Hg/L)
0.1 3C
0.1 5C
10d, 0.023C
10d, 0.018C
10d, 0.017C
0.21C
20C, 0.030C
20C, 0.043C
Toxic Weighting
Factor
(12/04)"
36.26
31.01
100.66
30.66
30.66
0.829
30.66
30.66
Toxic Weighting
Factor
(4/06)"
30.695
31.01
100.66
30.66
30.66
1.2847
30.772
0.0303
30.66
0.026
"December 2004 TWF (ERG, 2005c) used for 2005 screening-level analysis.
bApril 2006 TWF (U.S. EPA, 2006b) used for 2006 screening-level analysis.
°EPA Method 610 (High Performance Liquid Chromatography), Table 1.
dEPA Method 1625B, Table 3.
As discussed in Section 3.4.3 of the 2005 Screening-Level Analysis Report (U.S.
EPA, 2005a), after its preliminary analysis, EPA used a different approach to estimate the TWF
of PACs discharged from the Pulp and Paper Category. NCASI's TRI-reporting guidance
includes a table listing the concentrations of PAC compounds found in wastewaters for several
types of pulping (kraft, bisulfite, chemi-thermo-mechanical, thermo-mechanical) (Wiegand,
2005b). This table is reproduced as Table 3-3 in this report. EPA used the data from Table 3-3
to calculate a category-specific TWF for PACs discharged by pulp and paper mills. Because
there are few bisulfite, chemi-thermo- mechanical pulp, and thermo-mechanical pulp mills
compared to the number of kraft mills, EPA used the kraft mill concentrations to calculate the
category PAC TWF.
-------
Section 3.0- Pulp and Paper Category Wastewater Pollutants
Table 3-3. PAC Concentrations in Pulp Mill Effluents"
Pulping
Type
Kraft
Bisulfite
Chemical
Thermo-
mechanical
Pulp
Thermo-
mechanical
Pulp
Fine Paperd
Nb
2
4
4
2
1
PAC->
1
2
3
4
5
6
Totalc
Concentration (ppb or ng/L)
MDL
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
Range
Average
0,05
ND
NDto
0.07
0.036
ND
ND
ND
o.os
ND
ND
ND
NDto
0.13
0.078
ND
0.05
ND
ND
ND
NDto
0.65
0.338
ND
0.1
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
0.05
NDtoTr
0.038
NDto
1.6
0.419
NDto
0.055
0.033
NDto
0.42
0.223
ND
0.1
ND
ND
ND
NDto
0.1
0.075
ND
0.213
0.605
0.208
0.789
ND (0.40)
Source: H.C. Larellee, Inc., 1990 (Wiegand, 2005b).
aOnly for mills that use chemicals containing trace quantities of PACs; PACs are not manufactured during pulping
or bleaching (Young et al., 1990).
bNumber of mills tested.
'Compounds reported as less than the detection limit have been included in the total at one-half the detection limit.
dNon-integrated mill.
MDL - Method Detection Limit.
Tr - Trace (assumed equal to MDL).
ND - Not detected.
PACs in the Table:
1 - Benzo(a)anthracene.
2 - Benzo(a)pyrene.
3 - Benzo(b+k)fluoranthene.
4 - Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene.
5 - Fluoranthene.
6 - Indeno(l,2,3-c,d)pyrene.
NCASI calculated the wastewater emission factors for the industry based on six
PACs: benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b+k) fluoranthene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene,
fluoranthene, and indeno(l,2,3-c,d)pyrene. For the kraft mills, only fluoranthene was detected
above the laboratory detection limit; however, four of the other five compounds were detected in
effluents from other pulping types. NCASI calculated the emission factor using one-half the
detection limit for compounds that were not detected in kraft mill effluent.
5-9
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Section 3.0- Pulp and Paper Category Wastewater Pollutants
3.4 Metals
Metals are chemical elements that form cations (positive ions) by losing electrons.
Most metals are chemically reactive and will form metal oxides when exposed to oxygen and
many other compounds in combination with other non-metals. Metals may be present in
wastewater in dissolved form and in suspended particulate matter. Depending on pH, dissolved
metals are typically present in their ionized form (e.g., Ag+, silver ion).
3.4.1 Chemical Analysis and Minimum Levels for Metals
Wastewater samples may be analyzed for metals in the following forms:
• Dissolved metals - constituents of an unacidified sample that pass through
a 0.45-um membrane filter.
• Suspended metals - constituents of an unacidified sample retained on a
0.45-um membrane filter.
• Total metals - the concentration of metals determined on an unfiltered
sample after vigorous acid digestion. Includes all metals, inorganically
and organically bound, both dissolved and particulate.
There are multiple approved analytical methods for measuring metal concentrations in
wastewater. These methods establish both the equipment and techniques for measuring the metal
as well as the minimum concentration at which the target analytes can be reliably quantified.
In the effluent guidelines program, EPA typically analyzes wastewater for total
metals concentration, using Method 245.1 for mercury, Method 1636 for hexavalent chromium,
and Method 200.7 for other metals. Table 3-4 lists metals found in pulp and paper mill
wastewater, the analytical method number, ML, and toxic weighting factor.
3-10
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Section 3.0- Pulp and Paper Category Wastewater Pollutants
Table 3-4. Analytical Method Minimum Levels for Metals Found in Pulp and Paper Mill
Effluents (ng/L Total Metals)
Metal
Aluminum
Arsenic
Barium
Cadmium
Chromium, Total
Cobalt
Copper
Lead
Manganese
Mercury
Nickel
Vanadium
Zinc
Method
200.7
200.7
200.7
200.7
200.7
200.7
200.7
200.7
200.7
245.1
200.7
200.7
200.7
Minimum Level
(Hg/L)
50
20
2
2
10
5
10
20
2
0.2a
20
10
5
TWF
0.0647
4.04
0.00199
23.1
0.0757
0.114
0.635
2.24
0.0704
117
0.109
0.035
0.0469
aLower limit of the measurement range.
Some metals may exist in more than one oxidation state. Chromium, for example, can exist in
water in the trivalent and hexavalent state. Hexavalent chromium, which is quite soluble and
used in electroplating solutions, is much more toxic that trivalent chromium.
3.4.2
TRI Reporting Requirements for Metals
TRI requires that facilities report releases of specified metals and metal
compounds. These chemicals are listed in Table 3-5. Facilities are not required to report
releases of aluminum or aluminum compounds to TRI.
3-11
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Section 3.0- Pulp and Paper Category Wastewater Pollutants
Table 3-5. TRI Chemicals Identified as Metals and Metal Compounds
Pollutant
Antimony
Antimony compounds
Arsenic
Arsenic compounds
Barium
Barium compounds
Beryllium
Beryllium compounds
Cadmium
Cadmium compounds
Chromium
Chromium compounds
Cobalt
Cobalt compounds
Copper
Copper compounds
Lead
Lead compounds
Manganese
Manganese compounds
Mercury
Mercury compounds
Nickel
Nickel compounds
Selenium
Selenium compounds
Silver
Silver compounds
Thallium
Thallium compounds
Vanadium
Vanadium compounds
Zinc
Zinc compounds
CAS Number
7440360
-
7440382
-
7440393
-
7440417
-
7440439
-
7440473
-
7440484
-
7440508
-
7439921
-
7439965
-
7439976
-
7440020
-
7782492
-
7440224
-
7440280
-
7440622
-
7440666
-
TRI Chemical Category Code
-
N010
-
N020
N040
-
N050
-
N078
-
N090
-
N096
-
N100
-
N420
-
N450
-
N458
-
N495
-
N725
-
N740
-
N760
-
N770
-
N982
3-12
-------
Section 3.0- Pulp and Paper Category Wastewater Pollutants
When reporting releases of metal compounds, facilities do not identify the
individual compounds present. Further, facilities report the releases as pounds of metal. For
example, if a facility releases 5 pounds of lead oxide, it would report to TRI that it released 4.6
pounds of "lead compounds, as lead," calculated as follows:
5 Ibs of PbO x (207.2; mol. wt. Pb/223.2; mol. wt. PbO) = 4.6 Ibs Pb
To calculate TWPEs for metal compounds, EPA used the TWF for the parent
metal. For further analysis of category discharges, EPA then combined the discharges of the
metal and metal compounds. For example, if a facility reported discharging 10 pounds of lead
and 4.6 pounds of lead compounds, EPA analyzed the facility's discharges as 14.6 pounds of
"lead and lead compounds."
3.4.3 Metals Data Reported to PCS
ELGs for the Pulp and Paper Category include guidelines for zinc discharges from
one Phase II subcategory (Groundwood, Chemi-Mechanical, Chemi-Thermo-Mechanical). Mills
that use zinc hydrosulfite as a bleaching agent are subject to these regulations. Most mills certify
to their permitting authority that they do not use zinc hydrosulfite, and consequently are not
required to have permit limits for zinc.
EPA has established national ambient water quality criteria for several metals to
protect freshwater and saltwater organisms from acute and chronic toxicity. National criteria are
used by states along with a state's designated beneficial use of a water body, to formulate
enforceable water quality standards for receiving waters. Thus, even though there are no ELGs
for metals for the Pulp and Paper Category (with the exception of zinc regulations described
above), some mill NPDES permits have metals limits to ensure the mill discharge does not
violate water quality standards in the receiving stream. States may have water quality standards
for both hexavalent and total chromium, so some mills may be required to analyze their
wastewaters for both of these metal species.
3-13
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Section 4.0- Screening-Level Review Results
4.0 SCREENING-LEVEL REVIEW RESULTS
EPA used its TRIReleases2002 and PCSLoads2002 databases to conduct
screening-level analysis of industry discharge data in 2005. The results of this analysis were
presented in Section 3.0 of the Preliminary Detailed Study Report (U.S. EPA, 2005b). In 2006,
EPA revised the databases it used in 2005 and also created TRIReleases2003. These revisions
included updates to TWFs and a change in the methodology EPA used to estimate the TWPE of
dioxin and dioxin-like compound discharges the pulp and paper industry reported to TRI. The
Agency used the revised databases for its 2006 screening-level analysis.
This section presents the results of the 2006 screening-level analysis of the Pulp
and Paper Category, and explains why the remainder of this report focuses on dioxin and dioxin-
like compounds, PACs, metals, and nutrients.
4.1 Potential New Subcategories
To conduct its screening-level analyses using data from TRI and PCS, EPA
developed a crosswalk between SIC codes and existing point source categories. The crosswalk
identifies SIC codes that EPA associated with the applicability of an existing guideline as well as
SIC codes not associated with the applicability of any existing guideline. EPA reviewed
information about facilities with discharge data in TRI and/or PCS that have SIC codes and are
not clearly subject to existing ELGs to determine if, because of similarity of products produced,
production operations, and wastewater characteristics, the industrial sectors represented by these
SIC codes should be considered as potential new subcategories of categories subject to existing
ELGs.
As a result of this review, EPA identified eight SIC codes, listed in Table 4-1, that
identify facilities that convert paper or paperboard into products such as boxes or bags. EPA is
considering including operations of these eight SIC codes as potential new subcategories of the
Pulp and Paper Category. Some of the facilities in these SIC codes report wastewater discharges
to TRI; however, PCS contains no pollutant discharge data for facilities in these eight SIC codes
because none of them are considered major dischargers. As shown in Table 4-1, the TWPE
discharged by facilities in these eight SIC codes that report to TRI are insignificant, less than 0.1
4-1
-------
Section 4.0- Screening-Level Review Results
percent of the total Pulp and Paper Category TWPE. For this reason, EPA did not include the
otential new subcategories in its detailed study of the Pulp and Paper
rcent ot me total Pulp and Paper Category 1WPE. For this reason, bFA did not mclud
facilities in these potential new subcategories in its detailed study of the Pulp and Paper
itegory. Pollutant discharge information from facilities in these eight SIC Codes is not
Category. Pollutant discharge information from facilities in tl
included in any of the other analyses presented in this report.
Table 4-1. TRI-Reported Discharges by Facilities in SIC Codes that are Potential New
Subcategories of the Pulp and Paper Category
SIC
Code
2653
2655
2656
2657
2671
2672
2674
2679
Point Source Category
Corrugated and Solid Fiber Boxes
Fiber Cans, Tubes, Drums, and
Similar Products
Sanitary Food Containers, Except
Folding
Folding Paperboard Boxes,
Including Sanitary
Packaging Paper and Plastics Film,
Coated and Laminated
Coated and Laminated Paper, Not
Elsewhere Classified
Uncoated Paper and Multiwall Bags
Converted Paper and Paperboard
Products, Not Elsewhere Classified
Total from potential new subcategories
(percentage of total TWPE for existing
subcategories)
2002 TRI
No. of Mills"
16
2
4
7
49
90
1
11
2002 TRI
TWPE"
25
447
0.081
0.181
0.001
91
0.002
0.003
563 (0.03%)
2003TRI
No. of Mills"
16
2
4
6
46
90
3
13
2003 TRI
TWPE"
25
791
0.236
0.004
0.001
37
0.004
12
865 (0.03%)
"Number of mills reporting transfers to POTWs or releases to surface water.
bTWPE accounting for POTW removal of releases transferred to POTWs.
4-2
-------
Section 4.0- Screening-Level Review Results
4.2 PCSLoads2002 Results
Table 4-2 lists the 10 pollutants with the highest TWPE of PCS-reported
discharges for 2002, in order of descending TWPE. The data presented in Table 4-2 are from
PCSLoads2002_v4 and thus reflect EPA's April 2006 TWFs and database corrections made after
the 2005 annual review4. The largest contributor to the category total TWPE is TCDD. The
table also shows the number of mills that reported discharges to PCS and, for each pollutant, the
TWF, the number of mills that reported discharges, the total pounds discharged to surface
waters, and the total category TWPE. The two subcategories of Phase I, Bleached Papergrade
Kraft and Soda (BPK) and Papergrade Sulfite (PS), are presented separately. Table 4-2 does not
include pollutants for which EPA has not developed TWFs, such as five-day biochemical oxygen
demand (BOD5), total suspended solids, color, and adsorbable organic halides (AOX). The 1998
Cluster Rules established ELGs for AOX, a bulk parameter that measures the total mass of
chlorinated organic compounds. EPA has not developed a TWF for AOX because it represents a
group of diverse chemicals, not a single compound.
The final effluent discharge from one mill (Bowater, Catawba, SC) is responsible
for all of the pulp and paper TCDD discharge. Based on data in PCS, EPA estimated that this
mill discharged 0.88 grams of TCDD in 2002, which equates to 1.37 million TWPE, or 89
percent of the Pulp and Paper Category's 1.53 million TWPE. As discussed in Section 5.2.2, this
mill changed its bleaching chemistry in August 2003 and reports that, since that date, neither
TCDD nor TCDF has been measured in mill wastewaters above the Method 1613B ML. As
presented in Table 5-2, data from PCS confirm that TCDD was not detected in mill final effluent
above the Method 1613B ML after 2002. The mill is enrolled in Tier 1 of EPA's Voluntary
Advanced Technology Incentives Program (VATIP) and as such was provided with a six-year
schedule for compliance with Cluster Rules requirements. After 2002, the Bowater Catawba
mill converted to 100 percent chlorine dioxide bleaching and started up an advanced fiber line.
See Section 5.2.3 for a more detailed description of Bowater, Catawba SC mill operations.
4The data in Table 4-2 reflect final effluent discharges of TCDD and TCDF. Bleach plant effluent TCDD and
TCDF monitoring data are discussed in Section 5.2.2 of this report.
4-3
-------
Section 4.0- Screening-Level Review Results
Table 4-2. Top 10 Pollutants in PCSLoads2002, Final Effluent Discharges by Pulp and Paper Regulatory Phase
Number of PCS-Reporting Facilities
Pollutants
TCDD
Aluminum
Chlorineb
Sulfide
Mercury
Copper
Total Kjeldahl
Nitrogen (As N)
Arsenic
TCDF
Cadmium
TWF
703,584,000
0.0647
0.509
2.80
117
0.635
0.00228
4.04
43,819,554
23.1
Phase I
BPK( 74 mills)
Mills3
1
5
6
1
8
5
4
2
2
1
Discharged
0bs)
0.002
930,103
6,004
2,442
18
1,971
684,409
321
0.0001
16
PS (4 mills)
Mills"
NR
2
NR
NR
NR
o
J
2
NR
NR
1
Discharged
(Ibs)
NR
15,640
NR
NR
NR
2,834
350,830
NR
NR
38
Phase II
174 Mills
Mills"
NR
22
19
NR
7
36
15
4
NR
3
Discharged
(H>s)
NR
479,564
41,101
NR
40
3,852
952,039
771
NR
100
Total, all pollutants
Total Category
(Phase I and H)
257 mills
Discharged
Obs)
0.002
1,425,308
47,105
2,442
58
8,657
1,987,278
1,091
0.0001
154
3.98X109
TWPE
1,366,677
92,205
23,984
6,841
6,838
5,496
4,531
4,410
4,395
3,555
1,537,036
Source: PCSLoads2002_v4.
aNumber of mills monitoring the discharge of the parameter. Includes mills that never detected the parameter.
bTotal Residual Chlorine.
BPK - Bleached Papergrade Kraft.
PS - Papergrade Sulfite.
NR - No mills reported discharging this parameter.
-------
Section 4.0- Screening-Level Review Results
Table 4-3 shows the total PCSLoads2002 TWPE for Phase I and Phase II. Mills
with operations in the Bleached Papergrade Kraft and Soda Subcategory are responsible for the
majority (95.3 percent) of the category TWPE. EPA recalculated the TWPE excluding the
TCDD discharges from the Bowater Catawba mill. With this data exclusion, mills with
operations in the Bleached Papergrade Kraft and Soda Subcategory are responsible for 53
percent of the category TWPE.
4.3 TRIReleases2002 Results
Table 4-4 lists the 10 pollutants with the highest TWPE of TRI-reported
discharges for 2002, in order of descending TWPE. The data presented in Table 4-4 are from
TRIReleases2002 v4. Table 4-4 thus reflects EPA's April 2006 TWFs and EPA's revised
methodology for estimating TWPE of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds (Matuszko, 2006),
changes that were made after the 2005 annual review. The largest contributor to the category
TWPE is dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. Table 4-4 lists the number of mills that reported
pollutant discharges to TRI and, for each pollutant, the TWF, the number of mills that reported
discharges, the pounds discharged, and total category TWPE. Discharges include direct
discharges to surface waters and transfers to POTWs. POTW transfers are included in the total
discharges after POTW removals are taken into account. The two subcategories of Phase I are
presented separately.
Facilities in the Pulp and Paper Category reported discharges of 68.1 grams of
dioxin and dioxin-like compounds to TRI in 2002, totaling 1.47 million TWPE. (In comparison,
EPA estimated that TCDD and TCDF discharges in PCS totaled 0.93 grams.) Dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds discharges account for 75 percent of the Pulp and Paper Category TWPE.
The discharge of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds from one mill (Kimberly-Clark, Everett,
WA) is responsible for 1.10 million TWPE (8.2 grams) or 54 percent of the Pulp and Paper
Category's 1.98 million TWPE. Of the remaining 0.87 million TWPE, Phase I mills account for
80 percent, Phase II mills account for 17 percent, and Phase III mills account for 3 percent.
Discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds are discussed in detail in Section 5.0 of this
report.
4-5
-------
Section 4.0- Screening-Level Review Results
Table 4-3. PCSLoads2002 TWPE by Phase, With and Without Bowater Catawba Mill TCDD Discharges
Number of PCS-Reporting
Facilities
TWPE
TWPE excluding Bowater
Catawba TCDD
Phase I
Bleached Papergrade Kraft
(74 mills)
Total TWPE
1,460,000
90,600
% of Category
95
53
Papergrade Sulfite
(4 mills )
Total TWPE
6,420
6,420
% of Category
0.4
4
Phase II
174 Mills
Total TWPE
73,300
73,300
% of Category
4.8
43
Total Category
(Phases I and II)
2S2 Mills
TWPE
1,540,000
170,000
Source: PCSLoads2002 v4.
-------
Section 4.0- Screening-Level Review Results
Table 4-4. Top 10 Pollutants in TRIReleases2002, Releases by Pulp and Paper Regulatory Phase"
Number of TRI-Reporting Facilities
Pollutants
Dioxin and Dioxin-Like
Compounds
Manganese and
Manganese Compounds
Lead and Lead
Compounds
PACs
Chlorine
Zinc and Zinc Compounds
Potassium
Dimethyldithiocarbamate
Mercury and Mercury
Compounds
Nitrate Compounds
Copper and Copper
Compounds
TWF
c
0.070
2.24
33.7b
0.509
0.047
0.933
117
0.0007
0.635
Phasel
BPK ( 79 mills)
Mills
45
70
65
50
4
45
NR
30
37
2
Released
0bs)
0.115
3,413,990
11,879
863
22,682
228,382
NR
35
2,660,662
418
PS ( 5 mills)
Mills
1
1
4
1
NR
1
NR
1
4
3
Released
(Ibs)
0.018
22,251
549
21
NR
5,751
NR
2
1,566,544
2,121
Phase II
173 Mills
Mills
15
41
117
28
8
26
1
43
32
5
Released
(Ibs)
0.012
876,066
17,143
457
11,760
75,561
12,341
25
1,943,383
1,424
Total for All Pollutants
Total Category"
(Phases I and II)
257 Mills
Released
(Ibs)
0.145
4,312,307
29,571
1,341
34,442
309,694
12,341
62
6,170,589
3,963
19,399,504
TWPE
1,469,101
[1.17 gTEQ/year]
303,729
66,240
45,146
17,537
14,520
11,519
7,251
4,607
2,516
1,952,130
Source: TRIReleases2002_v4.
""Releases reported include both direct and indirect discharges (transfers to POTWs). Indirect discharges account for POTW removals.
bEPA-calculated PAC TWF based on industry-submitted data (Wiegand, 2005b).
°Dioxin TWF calculated for each mill, based on reported congener distribution (Matuszko, 2006).
BPK - Bleached Papergrade Kraft.
PS - Papergrade Sulfite.
NR - None reported.
TEQ - Toxic equivalents.
-------
Section 4.0- Screening-Level Review Results
After dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, the metals manganese and lead are the
pollutants with the second and third highest contribution to the TRI TWPE. Table 4-5 presents
the 11 metals with the highest TWPE of TRI-reported 2002 discharges.
Table 4-5. Comparison of Phase I and Phase II Mill Metals Discharges, from
TRIReleases2002
Manganese and
Manganese Compounds
Lead and Lead
Compounds
Zinc and Zinc
Compounds
Mercury and Mercury
Compounds
Copper and Copper
Compounds
Vanadium and Vanadium
Compounds
Arsenic and Arsenic
Compounds
Barium and Barium
Compounds
Nickel and Nickel
Compounds
Chromium and
Chromium Compounds
Cobalt and Cobalt
Compounds
Phase I
Mills
71
69
46
31
5
24
1
25
2
5
1
Pounds
3,436,241
12,428
234,133
37
2,539
42,503
250
291,360
2,102
2,090
23
TWPE
242,025
27,838
10,978
4,278
1,612
1,488
1,010
580
229
158
3
TWPE
per Mill
3,409
403
239
138
322
62
1,010
23
114
32
3
Phase II
Mills
41
117
26
43
5
11
NR
16
1
3
NR
Pounds
876,066
17,143
75,561
25
1,424
10,197
NR
68,473
339
953
NR
TWPE
61,704
38,401
3,543
2,974
904
357
NR
136
37
72
NR
TWPE
per Mill
1,505
328
136
69
181
32
NR
9
37
24
NR
Source: TRIReleases2004_v4.
NR - Not reported.
Table 4-5 shows the releases reported by Phase I mills separately from Phase II
mills. Table 4-5 shows the number of mills reporting, the pounds discharged (accounting for
POTW removal of metals transferred to POTWs), and the TWPE per mill. Metals present in
Phase I mill discharges are also present in Phase II mill discharges and in the same relative
amounts. For example, manganese has the highest TWPE per mill both for Phase I and Phase II,
followed by lead, then zinc, and so forth.
In addition to dioxin and dioxin-like compounds and metals, PACs and chlorine
contributed to the TRI TWPE. Of the TRI-reported chemical discharges, PACs account for the
4-8
-------
Section 4.0- Screening-Level Review Results
fourth highest TWPE, comprising 2.4 percent of the total Pulp and Paper Category TWPE. Of the
TRI-reported chemical discharges, chlorine accounts for 17,500 TWPE, or 0.9 percent of the
category TWPE.
Twelve mills reported wastewater discharges of chlorine (Cb). However, as
discussed in the Preliminary Detailed Study Report (U.S. EPA, 2005b), chlorine reacts very
quickly with water to form HOC1, C1-, and H+. This is an equilibrium reaction (at a pH above 4,
the equilibrium shifts almost completely toward formation of these products). Because pulp and
paper mills discharge wastewater at a pH between 7 and 9, EPA expects no releases of chlorine
(Cb) in wastewater. In comments on the Preliminary Detailed Study Report, NCASI commented,
"NCASI concurs with EPA. Investigation of the PCS database used by EPA suggests that most
often mills reporting chlorine in routine discharge monitoring reports appear to be doing so for
monitoring locations other than biologically treated process waters. Pipe descriptions include, for
example, non-contact cooling water, sanitary wastewater, and stormwater." (Wiegand, 2005i)
Table 4-6 shows the total TWPE and TWPE per mill for each regulatory phase.
Unlike PCS, one pollutant (dioxin and dioxin-like compounds) but no single facility dominated
the Pulp and Paper Category TWPE; therefore, EPA recalculated the total TWPEs excluding
dioxin and dioxin-like compounds reported by all mills. Even when dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds are excluded from the totals, the Phase I TWPE per mill is significantly greater than
the Phase II TWPE per mill.
Table 4-6. TRIReleases2002_v4 TWPE by Regulatory Phase, With and Without Dioxin and
Dioxin-Like Compounds
Number of TRI-
reporting facilities
TWPE
TWPE excluding
dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds
Phase I
(84 mills)
Total
TWPE
1,805,315
338,602
TWPI per
Mil
21,492
4,031
%of
Category
92
70
Phase II
(173 mills)
Total
TWPE
146,814
144,427
TWPE per
Mill
849
835
%of
Category
7.5
30
Total Category
(Phases I andll)
257 Mills
TWPE
1,952,130
483,029
Source: TRIReleases2002 v4.
4-9
-------
Section 4.0- Screening-Level Review Results
4.4 Comparison of TRIReleases2002 and TRIReleases2003
Table 4-7 compares the pollutants with highest TWPE of TRI-reported 2002 and
2003 discharges in order of descending TWPE. For most pollutants, the number of reporting
mills and the reported pounds and TWPE discharged in 2002 are very similar to the 2003
discharges. The exception is dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, which increased from 1.5
million TWPE in 2002 to 2.3 million TWPE in 2003. EPA notes that because of the very high
TWF of the dioxin and dioxin-like compounds and the high flow rates of pulp and paper mills (1
to 30 million gallons per day (MGD)), a small change in the concentration a mill used to estimate
releases can have a very large impact on the TWPE. The increase in the category dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds TWPE from 2002 to 2003 is due to an increase in the Domtar, Ashdown,
AR reported releases (from 1.79 to 40.1 grams) and a coincident decrease in the Kimberly-Clark,
Everett, WA releases (from 8.19 to 3.0 grams). In terms of TWPE, the Domtar dioxin and dioxin-
like compounds discharges increased by 1.5 million TWPE while the Kimberly-Clark mill dioxin
and dioxin-like compounds discharges decreased by 632,000 TWPE. However, as discussed in
detail in Section 5.0, most reported dioxin and dioxin-like compounds for the Pulp and Paper
Category are based on measurements less than the analytical method ML.
4.5 2005 and 2006 Screening-Level Review Findings for the Pulp and Paper
Category
The results of EPA's screening-level review of Pulp and Paper Category
discharges are summarized in Table 4-8. EPA identified three groups of pollutants that contribute
more than 95 percent of the TWPE in PCSLoads2002_v4 and TRIReleases2002_v4: dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds, metals and metal compounds, and PACs. In addition to its discharges of
TWPE, the Pulp and Paper Category ranked among the top three categories in discharges of
nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients. As a result, EPA's detailed study focused on dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds, metals and metal compounds, PACs, and nutrients. Other findings from
EPA's 2005 and 2006 screening-level reviews are summarized below:
4-10
-------
Section 4.0- Screening-Level Review Results
Table 4-7. Comparison of TRIReleases2002_v4 and TRIReleases2003_v2
Pollutant
Dioxin and Dioxin-Like
Compounds
Manganese and Manganese
Compounds
Lead and Lead Compounds
PACs
Chlorine
Zinc and Zinc Compounds
Potassium
Dimethyldithiocarbamate
Mercury and Mercury
Compounds
Nitrate Compounds
Copper and Copper Compounds
TWReleases20Q2_v4
Phase I + Phase II
No. of Mills
61
112
186
79
12
72
1
74
73
10
Pounds
0.145
4,312,307
29,571
1,341
34,442
309,694
12,341
62
6,170,589
3,963
TWPE
1,469,101
[1.17gTEQ/year]a
303,729
66,240
45,146
17,537
14,520
11,519
7,251
4,607
2,516
TRIReleases2003_v2
Phase I + Phase II
No. ofMUls
60
113
180
76
11
72
NR
77
67
11
Pounds
0.216
4,317,774
25,449
1,313
28,555
320,971
NR
61
6,431,579
4,590
TWPE
2,387,924
[1.76gTEQ/year]a
304,114
57,006
44,190
14,539
15,049
NR
7,196
4,802
2,914
Source: TRIReleases2002_v4, TRIReleases2003_v2.
aTEQ - Toxic equivalent.
-------
Section 4.0- Screening-Level Review Results
Table 4-8. Summary of Screening-Level Review Using PCS and TRI Data
TCDD & TCDF
Dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds
Metals and metal compounds
PACs
Total Category TWPE
PCS Loads
Phase I + Phase II
TWPE
1,370,000
NR
123,000a
241C
1,540,000
Percentage of
Category (%)
88.9
NR
8.0
0.0
TRI Loads
Phase I + Phase II
TWPE
NR
1,470,000
398,000b
45,100
1,950,000
Percentage of
Category (%)
NR
75.4
20.4
2.3
Source: PCSLoads2002_v4 and TRIReleases2002_v4.
"Metals and metal compounds reported to PCS include the following: manganese, aluminum, lead, zinc, mercury,
copper, arsenic, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, chromium, nickel, iron, silver, titanium, barium, and thallium.
bMetals and metal compounds reported to TRI database include the following: manganese, lead, zinc, mercury,
copper, vanadium, arsenic, barium, nickel, chromium, and cobalt.
Discharges of PACs, as a category, are not reported to PCS. PCS includes data for discharges of one PAC
(benzo(a)pyrene) for one mill.
NR - Pollutant not reported to this database.
4-12
-------
Section 4.0- Screening-Level Review Results
Using data available in PCSLoads2002, the total category discharge was
1.54 million TWPE. However, TCDD discharges from one mill accounted
for 89 percent of the category TWPE. Without this discharge, the category
discharge was 167,000 TWPE.
Total discharges for TRIRelease2002 was 1.98 million TWPE. Total
discharges for TRIRelease2003 was 2.88 million TWPE. For both
reporting years, dioxin and dioxin-like compounds contributed 74 percent
or more of the category TWPE. Dioxin and dioxin-like compound
discharges are discussed in detail in Section 5.0.
After TCDD, the pollutant contributing the most TWPE in PCSLoads2002
is aluminum, 6 percent of the category TWPE. Mills in both Phase I and
Phase II report discharging aluminum.
After dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, metals (including manganese,
lead, zinc, mercury, and copper) are the pollutants contributing the next
greatest amount of TWPE in the TRIReleases databases. Although
aluminum contributes 6 percent of category TWPE in PCSLoads2002,
aluminum discharges are not reported to TRI. The metals contribute 20
percent or more of the category TWPE. Because metals in mill effluents
are likely to have similar sources and the same or similar control
technologies, metals are discussed as a group in Section 6.0.
After metals, PACs contribute the next greatest amount of TWPE in the
TRIReleases databases, 2.4 percent of category TWPE. PACs are
discussed in detail in Section 7.0.
The Pulp and Paper Category ranked among the top three categories in
discharges of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients. Nutrient discharges are
discussed in Section 8.0.
4-13
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
5.0 DIOXIN AND DIOXIN-LIKE COMPOUNDS
Chiefly due to discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, the Pulp and
Paper Category ranked higher than any other category in EPA's 2005 and 2006 screening-level
reviews of discharges from industrial categories. As part of the Pulp and Paper Detailed Study,
EPA investigated the data reported to PCS and TRI to determine the extent to which dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds are currently discharged from Phase I and Phase II pulp and paper mills5.
EPA conducted a review of mill discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds
to determine:
• If the existing ELGs for discharges of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
(TCDD) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) from mills with
operations in Subparts B and E (Phase I) should be revised; and
• If existing ELGs for the Phase II subcategories should be revised to
control discharges of TCDD, TCDF, or other dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds.
This section presents EPA's analysis of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds
discharges from pulp and paper mills and includes reviews of NPDES permit compliance
monitoring data and of data reported to TRI. For background on dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds, see Section 3.2 of this report.
5.1 Background
As explained in Section 1.3, Phase I of EPA's 1998 revisions of the Pulp and
Paper Category ELGs focused on mills that used chlorine and/or chlorine-containing compounds
to bleach papergrade chemical pulp (pulp made by the kraft, soda, and sulfite processes). As a
result of the bleaching processes they used, these mills were identified as discharging TCDD,
TCDF, and other dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. To control these discharges, EPA revised
the ELGs for Subpart B, Bleached Papergrade Kraft and Soda, and for Subpart E, Papergrade
Sulfite.
5 Although Phase III mills reported discharging dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, they are not included in this
study because EPA determined as part of its 2004 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan that it would not promulgate
revised guidelines for the three operating Phase III mills.
5-1
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
The technology basis for the revised best available technology economically
achievable (BAT) for the Bleached Papergrade Kraft and Soda Subcategory is conventional
pulping followed by complete substitution of chlorine dioxide for elemental chlorine, and nine
other elements. For the Papergrade Sulfite Subcategory calcium-, magnesium- or sodium-based
sulfite segment, the BAT technology basis is totally chlorine-free bleaching (bleaching with
peroxide) and four other elements. For the Papergrade Sulfite Subcategory ammonium-based
sulfite segment, the BAT technology basis is complete substitution of chlorine dioxide for
elemental chlorine and five other elements. These technology bases are described in detail in the
Supplemental Technical Development Document (U.S. EPA, 1997).
The revised ELGs, known as the Cluster Rules, have been used to develop
NPDES permit limits for Phase I mills. To demonstrate compliance with their NPDES permits,
mills monitor their bleach plant effluents for TCDD and TCDF and report the results to their
permitting authority. The permitting authority is responsible for transferring mill monitoring
data to PCS. Phase I mills also report releases of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds to TRI. As
of 2004, EPA identified 71 mills with operations in the Bleached Papergrade Kraft and Soda
Subcategory, including 68 that discharge directly and 3 that discharge to POTWs6. EPA also
identified six mills with operations in the Papergrade Sulfite Subcategory, all that discharge
directly.
Phase II of EPA's review and revision of the Pulp and Paper Category ELGs was
defined to include mills that do not bleach chemical pulp. Phase II includes mills that make kraft
pulp, but do not bleach it. Phase II also includes mills that produce pulp using other processes
(e.g., groundwood and semi-mechanical), mills that make pulp from secondary fiber
(wastepaper), and mills that make paper from purchased pulp. Because these mills do not bleach
chemical pulp, they were not identified as discharging TCDD, TCDF, or other dioxin and dioxin-
like compounds. Because EPA did not revise ELGs for discharges from Phase II operations, and
Phase II mills do not have NPDES permit limits for dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, PCS
contains no TCDD or TCDF effluent monitoring data for Phase II mills. However, as shown in
Table 4-4, 15 of the 173 Phase II mills that reported to TRI reported discharging dioxin and
6 Two mills, Boise, St. Helens, OR and New Page, Luke, MD, are copermitted with their POTWs and are counted as
direct dischargers. Mill wastewater makes up more than 90 percent of the flow at these POTWs.
5-2
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
dioxin-like compounds in 2002. EPA identified 175 Phase II mills operating as of 2004, 118
with direct discharges and 57 that discharge to POTWs.
5.2 Phase I Mill TCDD and TCDF Compliance Monitoring Data
This subsection presents EPA's review of NPDES permit compliance data for
TCDD and TCDF. Because there are no existing ELGs for TCDD and TCDF for Phase II mills,
and no Phase II mill NPDES permits include water-quality-based limits for TCDD or TCDF,
only discharges from Phase I mills are discussed in this subsection.
5.2.1 Implementation of Cluster Rules ELGs
As presented in Table 4-4, Phase I mills reported 2002 discharges of dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds to TRI accounting for 1.47 million TWPE. Dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds discharges of this magnitude are surprising because (after excluding discharges from
Bowater, Catawba, SC) EPA estimated Phase I mill 2002 discharges of TCDD and TCDF
accounted for only 97,000 TWPE. The differences between PCS and TRI discharge estimates
suggest that either the 1998 Cluster Rules have not controlled discharges of dioxin and dioxin-
like compounds or TRI-reported discharges are overestimated. To determine whether the 1998
Cluster Rules have not controlled discharges TCDD and TCDF and, thus, should be revised,
EPA first determined whether the Cluster Rules requirements had been incorporated in to Phase I
mill NPDES permits. Section 9.2 of this report discusses this determination. EPA found that the
majority of permits for direct discharging mills (91 percent or 61 out of 67) reflect the ELGs.
Permits for six bleached papergrade kraft mills do not yet include Cluster Rule limits because the
permits are either being contested or have not been reissued since Cluster Rule promulgation.
Permits for two papergrade sulfite mills allow the mills to demonstrate compliance with the
AOX limit at alternate monitoring locations.
5-3
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
After confirming that Cluster Rules requirements had been incorporated into
Phase I mill NPDES permits, EPA reviewed PCS and TRI data to determine if they accurately
reflect current industry discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. EPA began this review
by examining compliance monitoring data obtained from PCS and the state of Washington.
EPA's review of NPDES permit compliance data first addresses bleach plant effluent monitoring
data and then addresses final effluent monitoring data.
5.2.2 Bleach Plant Effluent Monitoring Data
The ELGs for TCDD and TCDF require mills to demonstrate compliance with
TCDD and TCDF limits where wastewater leaves the bleach plant, a point upstream of the final
mill effluent. EPA refers to these in-process limits as "bleach plant effluent limits." The ELGs
for TCDD are
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Table 5-1. Bleach Plant Effluent Concentrations of TCDD and TCDF (pg/L)a
Mil
TCDD
BAT limit is <10 pg/L
2002
No. of
Data
Points
pg/L
2003
No. of
Data
Points
pg/L
2004
No. of
Data
Points
pg/L
TCDF
BAT limit is <31.9 pg/L
2002
No. of
Data
Points
pg/L
2003
No. of
Data
Points
pg/L
2004
No. of
Data
Points
pg/L
Bleached Papergrade Kraft Mills
Bowater, Catawbab
SC0001015
Parsons & Whittemore,
Alabama River Pulp
AL0025968
International Paper,
Bastrop
LA0007561
Georgia-Pacific, Palatka
FL0002763
Boise, Jackson
AL0002755
Weyerhaeuser, Hawesville
KY0001716
Boise, Wallula
WA0003697
Weyerhaeuser, Longview
WA0000124
0
22
0
2
12
0
24
12
0
—
0
<10
0
-
<10
<10
-
0
24
24
12
12
1
23
12
0
—
0
0
<10
0
5.3
<10
<10
-
9
24
24
11
1
12
2
22
12
7
<10
0
0
<10
0
0
1.3 to 6. 6
<10
<10
<10
0
21
1
0
2
11
1
0
24
11
1
0
—
0
19
"
<31.9
0
11.3
-
<31.9
<31.9
0.6
-
0
24
24
12
12
0
24
12
0
—
0
0
<31.9
0
-
<31.9
<31.9
-
9
24
23
1
1
1
1
12
1
23
10
2
4
3
<31.9
0
0
12.8
0
0
12
0
7.1
<31.9
<31.9
1.0
<31.9
4 to 8
Papergrade Sulfite0
Kimberly-Clark, Everett
WA0000621
13
<10
17
NDto
1.6
12
<10
11
avg
3.2 to 35. 3
12.8
12
avg
Oto33
14.6
11
avg.
NDto 9. 9
4.7
aShaded cells identify concentrations greater than Method 1613ML. Note that all bleached papergrade kraft mill TCDF concentrations are <31.9 and thus meet the BAT guideline.
bAlthough TCDD and TCDF were not detected in bleach plant effluent, TCDD was detected in Bowater, Catawba ,SC final mill effluent in 2002 and 2003. For this reason,
Bowater is included on this table.
The BAT limit applicable to Kimberly-Clark is <10 pg/L TCDF.
ND - Not detected.
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
As shown in Table 5-1, although all bleached papergrade kraft mills met the
TCDF BAT limit of <31.9 pg/L, TCDF was detected above the Method 1613B ML in bleach
plant effluent at four bleached papergrade kraft mills. TCDF was detected above the Method
1613B ML once at two bleached papergrade kraft mills in 2002 and once at two different
bleached papergrade kraft mills in 2004. Several other mills reported concentrations as <31.9
pg/L. The actual measured concentration in these samples is unknown; it may be greater than
the Method 1613B ML. However, the reported concentration meets the BAT guideline for the
bleached papergrade kraft subcategory.
The Kimberly-Clark (K-C) mill in Everett, Washington repeatedly detected TCDF
in its bleach plant effluent. The K-C mill uses ammonium sulfite pulping to produce market pulp
and tissue paper and thus is subject to the BAT effluent guidelines for the ammonium sulfite
segment of Subpart E. Effluent guidelines for the bleach plant effluent are
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
5.2.3
Final Effluent Monitoring Data
Table 5-2 presents final effluent concentrations for TCDD for Bowater, Catawba,
SC, the one mill at which TCDD was detected in mill final effluent during the period 2002 to
2004 (the mill was required to monitor final effluent for TCDD but not TCDF). The data are
presented as reported, 0, or a value. In addition to the Bowater Catawba mill, 35 other mills
monitored the mill final effluent for TCDD. However, none of these mills detected TCDD in the
mill final effluent above the Method 1613B ML.
Table 5-2. Final Effluent Concentrations of TCDD, Bowater, Catawba, SC
Mill
Bowater, Catawba
SC0001015a
No detectable
TCDD reported
TCDD detected
2002
No. Data
Points
2
1
pg/L
0
83.6
2003
No. Data
Points
3
1
pg/L
0
5.2
2004
No. Data
Points
1
2
0
pg/L
MIC
0
-
MIC - Monitoring is conditional and not required this period.
aPermit required quarterly monitoring. Limit was 84 pg/L daily maximum.
During 2002, the Bowater, Catawba, SC mill was not yet using 100 percent
chlorine dioxide bleaching technology, the basis for BAT. At the end of August 2003, the mill
converted to 100 percent chlorine dioxide bleaching. Bowater reports that, since that change,
neither TCDD nor TCDF has been measured in bleach plant effluent or in mill final effluent
above the Method 1613B ML (10 pg/L) (Bowling, 2005). Bowater reported a final effluent
TCDD concentration of 5.2 pg/L in 2003. This concentration is less than the Method 1613B ML
and demonstrates compliance with the mill's permit limit for final effluent (U.S. EPA, 2005b).
Bowater did not routinely monitor its bleach plant effluent for TCDD or TCDF until 2004, and
has not detected TCDD or TCDF in bleach plant effluent above the BAT effluent limitations
since then.
EPA reviewed PCS data for the period 1998 to 2004 to evaluate the effect of the
Cluster Rules on BPK mill discharges. Since the promulgation of the Cluster Rules, discharges
of TCDD and TCDF have decreased significantly. As summarized in Table 5-3, EPA found that
by 2004, TCDD and TCDF discharges for reporting BPK mills were only 6,100 TWPE, a 99
5-7
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
percent reduction from baseline. EPA calculated these discharges using the concentration and
flow data available for two mills (Georgia-Pacific, Palatka and Weyerhaeuser, Hawesville).
Table 5-3. Trends in BPK Mill Discharges" of TCDD and TCDF
Regulated
Pollutants
TCDD + TCDF
1995
TWPEb
17.9
million
2002
TWPE
1.3 million
Number of Mills
Monitoring
47 for TCDD
3 8 for TCDF
2004
TWPE
6,100
Number of MiDs
Monitoring
52 for TCDD
49 for TCDF
Source for 2002 and 2004 discharges: Envirofacts.
""Discharges estimated using bleach plant effluent monitoring data.
bEPA estimated baseline TWPE for the mills monitoring for the pollutant in 2004.
5.2.4
Summary of NPDES TCDD and TCDF Permit Compliance Monitoring Data
In its review of NPDES permit compliance monitoring data, EPA found:
TCDD was not detected in bleach plant effluent above the Method 1613B
ML at any of the 51 mills for which EPA has data for the period 2002 to
2004.
All bleached papergrade kraft mills met the BAT TCDF limit of <31.9
pg/L, but TCDF was detected above the Method 1613B ML in bleach
plant effluent at four bleached papergrade kraft mills.
TCDF was repeatedly detected in bleach plant effluent above the Method
1613B ML at one papergrade sulfite mill, Kimberly-Clark, Everett, WA in
2002 and 2003. The mill did not detect TCDF in its bleach plant effluent
in 2004, after renovating its chlorine dioxide generator.
According to data in PCS, TCDD has not been reported to be detected in
any pulp and paper mill final effluent since August 2003.
5.3
Review of Data Reported to TRI
This subsection presents EPA's review of the dioxin and dioxin-like compound
monitoring data reported by pulp and paper mills to TRI. It explains how pulp and paper mills
report discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds to TRI and describes emission factors and
effluent monitoring data used to estimate TRI-reported discharges. This subsection also presents
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
EPA's analysis of whether the dioxin and dioxin-like compound discharges reported to TRI
accurately reflect current industry discharges.
5.3.1 How Pulp and Paper Mills Report Discharges of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like
Compounds to TRI
When reporting chemical releases to TRI, facilities may use emission factors,
mass balances, or other engineering calculations to estimate releases. Facilities may estimate
their releases using monitoring data collected prior to the year for which they are reporting
discharges if they believe the data are representative of reporting-year operations. Because
facilities may be fined for under-reporting releases to TRI, they tend to overestimate the
magnitude of their releases.
In addition to the amount of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds released, facilities
are required to report to TRI the method used to estimate their releases, using four code letters:
• M - Monitoring Data or Direct Measurement;
• E - Emission Factor;
• C - Mass Balance; or
• O - Other Approaches Such as Engineering Calculation.
Tables 5-4 and 5-5 list the Phase I and Phase II mills that reported releases of
dioxin and dioxin-like compounds to TRI in 2002 and 2003, respectively, and the method the
mills reported to TRI that they used to estimate their releases. In addition to the estimation
methods, Tables 5-4 and 5-5 present EPA's estimated releases to the environment (in
grams/year) that account for POTW removal. EPA assumed that approximately 83 percent of
dioxin and dioxin-like compounds are removed in a POTW (Bartram, 2005). In addition, EPA
calculated the TWPE of the discharges using the TWFs presented in Table 3-1 and a
methodology for estimating dioxin congener distributions based on industry-provided congener
distributions (Matuszko, 2006).
5-9
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
As shown in Table 5-4, 61 mills reported discharging dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds in 2002 (47 Phase I and 14 Phase II mills). Of these 61 mills, 15 indicated that their
reported discharges were based on monitoring data or direct measurement. In 2002, dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds discharges reported by two mills, Kimberly-Clark (K-C), Everett, WA
and Bowater, Catawba, SC contributed far more TWPE than any other mills. K-C's reported
discharge represented 75 percent of the category TWPE while Bowater's contributed 15 percent.
As shown in Table 5-5, 59 mills reported releasing dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds in 2003 (44 Phase I and 15 Phase II mills). Of these 59 mills, 15 indicated that their
reported releases were based on monitoring data or direct measurement. In 2003, dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds discharges reported by three mills contributed 94 percent of the total
category TWPE. The TWPE of the releases reported by Domtar, Ashdown, AR represented 1.5
million TWPE, 63 percent of the total. K-C's reported 2003 releases were much less than 2002
(473,000 TWPE compared to 1.1 million) and represented 20 percent of the total. Bowater,
Catawba contributed about 11 percent of the 2003 TWPE.
5.3.2 Emission Factors Used to Estimate TRI-Reported Discharges
As shown in Table 5-4, 27 of the 61 mills that reported releases of dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds in 2002 and 26 of 59 mills that reported releases in 2003 indicated that
they used emission factors to estimate their releases. As discussed in the Preliminary Report
(U.S. EPA, 2005b), NCASI contacted 9 of the 10 mills that reported the largest (in terms of
TWPE) releases of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds to TRI in 2002. They found that six of the
nine mills estimated their releases based on information contained in The SARA Handbook,
published by NCASI (Wiegand, 2005c; Wiegand, 2005d). For example, pulp mills using 100
percent chlorine dioxide bleaching used the dioxin and dioxin-like compound concentrations
from Table 14 PCDD/F Concentrations in Eight ECF Bleached Chemical Pulp Mill Treated
Effluents. The mills multiplied their annual wastewater discharge flow by the average total
concentration of 88.3 pg/L from the table to calculate the annual mass discharge of dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds reported to TRI. This concentration is the sum of average concentrations
5-10
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Table 5-4. Mills that Reported 2002 Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds Releases to TRI
Facility
City, State
Grams Released to the
Environment
(accounting for POTW
removal)
TWPE
Basis of
Estimate
Phase I Mills
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Bowaterlnc.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Potlatch Corp.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Durango-Georgia Paper
Domtar Industries Inc.
Jefferson Smurfit Corp.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Boise Cascade Corp.
Domtar Industries Inc.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Glatfelter
Bowaterlnc.
International Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Potlatch Corp.
Tembec Inc.
International Paper Co.
Boise Cascade Corp.
Gulf States Paper Corp.
International Paper Co.
GP Cellulose LLC
S.D. Warren (SAPPI)
International Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Boise Cascade Corp.
Simpson Tacoma Kraft Co.
International Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Glatfelter (was New Page Corp.)
Everett, WA
Catawba, SC
Zachary, LA
Pennington, AL
Crossett, AR
Lewiston, ID
Camas, WA
Saint Marys, GA
Baileyville, ME
Brewton, AL
King sport, TN
Franklin, VA
Jackson, AL
Ashdown, AR
Vanceboro, NC
Spring Grove, PA
Calhoun, TN
Cantonment, FL
Georgetown, SC
Plymouth, NC
Arkansas City, AR
Saint Francisville, LA
Ticonderoga, NY
Deridder, LA
Demopolis, AL
Bastrop, LA
Brunswick, GA
Skowhegan, ME
Eastover, SC
Rothschild, WI
Wallula, WA
Tacoma, WA
Selma, AL
Queen City, TX
Chillicothe, OH
8.19
3.66
3.32
5.33
4.94
4.27
3.58
3.38
3.15
2.40
2.17
2.10
2.01
1.79
1.63
0.86
0.85
0.80
0.78
0.74
0.57
0.49
0.46
0.31
0.23
0.21
0.20
0.18
0.16
0.15
0.13
0.13
0.12
0.11
0.10
1,104,866
217,867
63,803
9,555
8,867
7,657
6,427
6,062
5,654
4,306
3,894
3,760
3,615
3,203
2,924
1,549
1,528
1,435
1,395
1,334
1,026
873
820
556
410
380
360
329
281
273
235
232
210
197
178
C
M
E
Ea
E
E
E
0
E
E
M
E
E
E
E
E
M
E
C
E
O
E
E
E
E
M
E
0
O
M
0
E
E
M
M
5-11
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Table 5-4 (Continued)
Facility
Boise Cascade (City of St. Helens)
Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.
International Paper Co.
Great Northern Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
SAPPI Fine Paper North America
International Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser (Flint River Mill)
SAPPI Fine Paper North America
City, State
Saint Helens, OR
Panama City, FL
Courtland, AL
Millinocket, ME
Riegelwood, NC
Muskegon, MI
Jay, ME
Longview, WA
Pine Bluff, AR
Columbus, MS
Oglethorpe, GA
Cloquet, MN
Grams Released to the
Environment
(accounting for POTW
removal)
0.69b
0.08b
0.07
0.04
0.03
0.03b
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.00
0.00
0.04b
TWPE
163
140
130
66
54
54
38
36
32
3
1
0
Basis of
Estimate
yf-A
Ed
E
0
E
Ed
M
O
E
M
O
Ed
Phase H Mills
Nippon Paper (was Daishowa)
Schweitzer Mauduit Intl. Inc.
Buckeye Lumberton Inc.
Blandin Paper
Schweitzer-Mauduit Intl. Inc.
Procter & Gamble
Grays Harbor Paper
Marcal Paper Mills Inc.
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
West Linn Paper
Procter & Gamble
Smart Papers LLC
Port Angeles, WA
Lee, MA
Lumberton, NC
Grand Rapids, MN
Ancram, NY
Mehoopany, PA
Hoquiam, WA
Elmwood Park, NJ
Jackson, MO
Albany, GA
Green Bay, WI
West Linn, OR
Oxnard, CA
Hamilton, OH
1.82
0.15
0.10
3.20b
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.01b
0.01
0.00b
0.00b
0.00
0.00b
0.00b
290
269
180
86
36
35
29
22
11
7
3
1
0
0
M
0
M
Md
0
O
c
Md
O
od
c, cd
c
od
Md
M - Monitoring Data or Direct Measurement; E - Emission Factor; C - Mass Balance; O - Other Approaches.
aThe Georgia-Pacific mill in Pennington, AL indicated a direct measurement as the basis for its discharge estimates. When EPA
contacted the mill, it indicated it used emission factors to estimate the discharge.
bAccounts for POTW removal.
°Boise Cascade in St Helens, OR indicated it used an emission factor to estimate discharges. When EPA contacted the mill, it
indicated it used actual concentrations data to calculate the discharge.
dBasis of estimated transfer to POTW.
5-12
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Table 5-5. Mills that Reported 2003 Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds Release to TRI
Facility
City, State
Grams Released to the
Environment
(accounting forPOTW
removal)
TWPE
Basis of
Estimate
Phase I Mills
Domtar Industries Inc.
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.
Bowater Inc.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Potlatch Corp.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Jefferson Smurfit Corp.
Boise Cascade Corp.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
International Paper Co.
Glatfelter
Potlatch Corp.
Bowater Inc.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Tembec Inc.
International Paper Co.
Boise Cascade Corp.
Gulf States Paper Corp.
International Paper Co.
S.D. Warren (SAPPI)
International Paper Co.
Boise Cascade Corp.
Simpson Tacoma Kraft Co.
International Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Boise Cascade (City of St. Helens)
International Paper Co.
Glatfelter (was NewPage Corp.)
Ashdown, AR
Everett, WA
Catawba, SC
Zachary, LA
Crossett, AR
Pennington, AL
Lewiston, ID
King sport, TN
Queen City, TX
Franklin, VA
Brewton, AL
Jackson, AL
Vanceboro, NC
Camas, WA
Cantonment, FL
Spring Grove, PA
Arkansas City, AR
Calhoun, TN
Plymouth, NC
Georgetown, SC
Port Wentworth, GA
Saint Francisville, LA
Ticonderoga, NY
Deridder, LA
Demopolis, AL
Bastrop, LA
Skowhegan, ME
Eastover, SC
Wallula, WA
Tacoma, WA
Selma, AL
Rothschild, WI
Saint Helens, OR
Courtland, AL
Chillicothe, OH
40.12
3.00
5.58
3.32
5.49
5.32
4.18
2.50
2.36
2.27
2.20
1.98
1.82
1.06
0.93
0.92
0.92
0.91
0.82
0.77
0.72
0.50
0.46
0.26
0.23
0.22
0.18
0.16
0.14
0.13
0.12
0.12
0.71a
0.09
0.09
1,511,611
472,778
261,826
63,803
9,850
9,551
7,505
4,486
4,235
4,066
3,947
3,553
3,257
1,902
1,669
1,653
1,646
1,626
1,470
1,380
1,284
899
817
467
416
399
323
290
242
240
208
206
167
158
154
M
C
M
E
E
M
E
M
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
0
M
E
C
E
E
E
E
E
M
O
0
O
E
E
M
Eb
E
M
5-13
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Table 5-5 (Continued)
Facility
Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.
SAPPI Fine Paper North America
International Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser (Flint River Mill)
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
SAPPI Fine Paper North America
City, State
Panama City, FL
Muskegon, MI
Riegelwood, NC
Longview, WA
Jay, ME
Pine Bluff, AR
Oglethorpe, GA
Columbus, MS
Cloquet, MN
Grams Released to the
Environment
(accounting for POTW
removal)
0.07a
0.05a
0.03
0.03
0.02
0.02
0.00
0.00
0.04a
TWPE
119
90
55
45
36
32
1
3
0
Basis of
Estimate
Eb
Eb
E
0
M
E
O
M
Eb
Phase II Mills
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
West Linn Paper
Nippon Paper(was Daishowa)
Schweitzer Mauduit International
Inc.
Blandin Paper
Schweitzer-Mauduit International
Inc.
Procter & Gamble
Marcal Paper Mills Inc.
Fox River Paper Corp (Rising Paper
Div)
Grays Harbor Paper LP
Smart Papers LLC
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Pine Hill, AL
West Linn, OR
Port Angeles, WA
Lee, MA
Grand Rapids, MN
Ancram, NY
Mehoopany, PA
Elmwood Park, NJ
Housatonic, MA
Hoquiam, WA
Hamilton, OH
Jackson, MO
Albany, GA
Green Bay, WI
Oxnard, CA
2.34
0.35
1.77
0.15
2.21a
0.02
0.02
0.01a
0.01a
0.01
0.01a
0.00
0.00a
0.00a
0.00a
4,197
623
282
275
60
36
33
26
22
21
20
8
6
2
0
E
C
M
0
Mb
0
O
Mb
Ob
C
Mb
0
ob
c,cb
cb
M - Monitoring Data or Direct Measurement; E - Emission Factor; C - Mass Balance; O - Engineering Calculation.
aAccounts for POTW removal.
bBasis of estimated transfer to POTW.
5-14
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
from four bleached papergrade kraft mills whose effluent is treated in aerated stabilization
basins9. The average concentrations were calculated using zero for congeners not detected
(Wiegand, 2005i).
Table 5-6 presents the average mill effluent concentrations of the 17 dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds NCASI used to calculate its emission factor. At four of the eight mills,
no dioxin and dioxin-like compounds were detected. NCASI calculated the average congener
concentrations for the four mills at which at least one compound was detected. Because results
from the four mills at which no dioxin and dioxin-like compounds were detected are not included
in the average, NCASI's wastewater emission factor may be biased high. Furthermore, all
average congener concentrations are less than the Method 1613B ML. Of the concentration data
for individual mills provided by NCASI, (Wiegand, 2005i) only two measurements were above
the Method 1613 ML. Both were measurements of octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD), which
has lower toxicity than all but one of the 17 dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. The OCDD
TWF is more than 100,000 times less than the TWF for TCDD and is the second lowest of the
dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. NCASI notes that they consider values below Method 1613B
ML to be "estimated concentrations" and that loads and TWPE calculated with estimated
concentrations should be considered "upper bound" (Wiegand, 2005i).
5.3.3 Phase I Mill Discharges of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds Reported to
TRI
This subsection describes monitoring data Phase I mills used to estimate their TRI
releases and the specific congeners detected in Phase I mill effluents.
9 In calculating this average effluent concentration, NCASI did not include results from effluent from four bleached
papergrade kraft mills in which no dioxin congeners were detected.
5-15
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Table 5-6. Concentrations of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds Used for NCASI's
Emission Factor (pg/L)
Dioxin Congener
1613B ML
(pg/L)
NCASI
Average Mill Effluent Concentration
(pg/L)
Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (CDFs)
2,3,7,8-TCDF
1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF
2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF
1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF
1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF
2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF
1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF
1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDF
10
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
100
1.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1.9
0.5
2.0
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs)
2,3,7,8-TCDD
1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD
1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD
1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD
1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD
10
50
50
50
50
50
100
Total dioxin and dioxin-like compound concentration
0
0
0
1.3
0.9
7.0
73.7
88.3
Source: (Wiegand, 2005c).
5-16
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
5.3.3.1
Phase I Mills for Which EPA has Monitoring Data
Table 5-7 lists the Phase I mills that reported to TRI that they used monitoring
data or direct measurements to estimate their discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds.
One mill, Domtar, Ashdown, AR, reported that its estimated 2002 discharge was based on an
emission factor while its estimated 2003 discharge was based on monitoring data. Another mill,
Boise, St. Helens, OR reported that it used measurement data to estimate its 2002 discharge but
emission factors for 2003. All of the other mills listed in Table 5-7 reported using measurement
data to estimate both 2002 and 2003 discharges.
Table 5-7. Phase I Mills that Reported Using Monitoring or Direct Measurements to
Estimate TRI-Reported Releases
Facility
City, State
Phase
Grams Released
(after POTW
removal)
TWPE
Monitoring Data Provided to
EPA
2002
Bowater Inc.
Weyerhaeuser
Bowater Inc.
International Paper
Weyerhaeuser
International Paper
New Page (was MW
Custom Papers)
Boise Cascade (City
of St. Helens)3
International Paper
Weyerhaeuser
Catawba, SC
King sport, TN
Calhoun, TN
Bastrop, LA
Rothschild, WI
Queen City, TX
Chillicothe, OH
Saint Helens, OR
Jay, ME
Columbus, MS
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
3.66
2.17
0.85
0.21
0.15
0.11
0.10
0.69
0.02
0.00
217,867
3,894
1,528
380
273
197
178
163
38
3
Bowater provided mill final
effluent data.
Weyerhaeuser provided mill
final effluent data.
Bowater provided mill final
effluent data.
Boise provided effluent data
from copermitted POTW and
mill water intake.
2003
Domtar Industries Inc.
Ashdown, AR
I
40.12
1,511,611
Domtar based 2002 release
estimate on emission factors.
Provided bleach plant effluent
data used to estimate 2003 final
effluent discharge.
Indirect discharger. Reported monitoring data or direct measurement used to estimate the mass of dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds transferred to POTW.
5-17
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
EPA contacted the mills with the largest (in terms of TWPE) discharges of dioxin
and dioxin-like compounds based on monitoring data or direct measurements (for 2002,
Bowater, Catawba, SC; Weyerhaeuser, Kingsport, TN; and Bowater, Calhoun, TN; and for 2003,
Domtar, Ashdown, AR). EPA also contacted Kimberly-Clark, Everett, WA, to learn more about
how this mill calculated its TRI-reported discharges, which were the largest (in terms of TWPE)
in the category in 2002 and the second largest in 2003.
As a result of its contacts, EPA obtained effluent monitoring data used as the
basis of TRI reporting from five Phase I mills. Including Kimberly-Clark in Everett, WA, the
mills EPA contacted contributed 91 percent of the 2002 TRI dioxin and dioxin-like compound
TWPE for the category and 94 percent of the 2003 TRI dioxin and dioxin-like compound TWPE.
Table 5-8 presents these data and the EPA Method 1613B ML for each dioxin congener. Of the
concentrations presented in Table 5-8, only OCDD at Domtar's Ashdown, AR mill was
measured at concentrations above the Method 1613B ML.
In addition to reported concentrations, Table 5-8 presents the calculated mass of
all 17 dioxin and dioxin-like compounds discharged by each mill, the TCDD-equivalent grams
discharged (grams TEQ) represented by those discharges, and the TWPE of those discharges.
EPA calculated the total mass of all 17 dioxin and dioxin-like compounds
discharged by multiplying the concentrations in Table 5-8 by the mill-provided effluent flow and
summing the results. EPA's calculated masses are the same as the masses mills reported to TRI.
Because the 17 dioxin and dioxin-like compounds have widely varying toxicity, EPA used WHO
toxic equivalency factors to calculate the grams TEQ. (See (U.S. EPA, 2004) for a discussion of
toxic equivalency factors.) In addition, EPA used the TWFs presented in Table 3-1 to calculate
the TWPE of the mill discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. The calculated grams
TEQ and TWPE facilitate comparison of the mill discharges to each other and to other
environmental sources of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds.
5-18
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Table 5-8. Concentrations of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds in Phase I Mill Effluent
Samples (pg/L)
Dioxin Congener
1613B ML
pg/L
2003;
Domtar
Ashdown, ARa
2002;
Bowater,
Catawba, SC
2002;
Bowater
Calhoun, TNb
2001;
Boise, St.
Helens, OR6
2002;
Weyerhaeuser,
Kingsport, TN*
Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (CDFs)
2,3,7,8-TCDF
1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF
2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF
1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF
1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF
2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF
1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF
1, 2,3,4 ,6,7,8-HpCDF
1, 2,3,4 ,7,8,9-HpCDF
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDF
10
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
100
0
0
4.3
7.3
0
0
5.9
5.8
0
0
2.1
1.6
2.3
0
0
0
0
7.9
0
16.5
5.6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5.0
2.1
0
0
16
14
5.7
3.7
1.8
0
3.1
1.7
6.4
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs)
2,3,7,8-TCDD
1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD
1, 2,3,4 ,7,8-HxCDD
1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD
1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD
1, 2,3,4 ,6,7,8-HpCDD
1, 2,3,4 ,6,7,8,9-OCDD
10
50
50
50
50
50
100
Grams/year
Grams TEQ/year
TWPE/year
0
8.5
0
0
6.6
24.1
446d
40.11
1.024
1,511,611
2.7
0
0
0
0
27.1
61.7
3.66
0.135
217,867
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.85
0.004
1,528
0
0
0
0
0
10.5
92.5
4.08e (0.69)f
0.007e(0.001)f
163f
0
0
0
0
0
6.2
50
2.17
0.010
3,894
aBleach plant effluent.
blntake water concentrations were subtracted from the reported concentrations.
°Weyerhaeuser also provided effluent sample analyses for 2003; no congeners in either 2002 or 2003 were measured above the
EPA Method 1613B ML.
dShaded cells identify concentrations greater than the Method 1613ML.
eReported discharge transferred to POTW; EPA estimated that approximately 83 percent of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds
are removed in a POTW. TWPE calculated after POTW removal.
fPounds released to the environment accounting for POTW removal of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds transferred to POTWs.
5-19
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
5.3.3.2 Dioxin Congeners Measured in Effluent from Five Phase I Mills
Domtar, Ashdown, AR. Table 5-8 presents the concentrations measured in one
sample of bleach plant effluent collected at Domtar, Ashdown, AR in 2003. Domtar reported
releasing 1.78 grams of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in 2002, calculated using the NCASI
emission factor, and releasing 40.118 grams in 2003, based on one sample of bleach plant
effluent. As shown in Table 5-8, TCDD and TCDF were not detected in the sample of bleach
plant effluent, which meets the bleached papergrade kraft BAT limitations guideline. Of the
congeners detected in the Domtar mill effluent, only OCDD was detected at concentrations
above the EPA Method 1613B ML. Domtar's estimated release does not account for any
removal of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds that may occur in the mill's biological treatment
system.
Bowater, Catawba, SC. Table 5-8 presents data collected by the Bowater,
Catawba, SC mill in 2002 (Wiegand, 2005g; Henrendeen, 2006a). As shown in Table 5-2 and
discussed in Section 5.2.3, Bowater detected TCDD in its mill effluent at a concentration of 83.6
pg/L in one of three samples collected in 2002. EPA contacted Bowater to discuss why the
concentrations presented in Table 5-8 and used as the basis for its TRI estimate are different than
the concentrations used for permit compliance monitoring. Bowater explained that based on past
testing for dioxin and dioxin-like compounds and engineering judgment, the mill determined that
the congener profile presented in Table 5-8 best represented its 2002 annual discharges
(Herendeen, 2006b). No dioxin and dioxin-like compounds were measured above the EPA
Method 1613B ML.
Bowater, Calhoun, TN. The data in Table 5-8 for Bowater, Calhoun, TN are the
dioxin and dioxin-like compounds measured in the final effluent minus concentrations in the
intake water. Intake water data are an average of four sampling events conducted in 1995 and
1996. The effluent sample was taken at the mill effluent in 2000 after the mill converted from
chlorine/chlorine dioxide bleaching to 100 percent chlorine dioxide bleaching. No dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds were measured above the EPA Method 1613B ML.
5-20
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Boise, St. Helens, OR. The Boise mill in St. Helens, OR discharges its
wastewater to the City of Saint Helens POTW. Mill effluent accounts for approximately 95
percent of the wastewater received by the POTW. On February 9, 2004, the state issued a joint
NPDES permit to the mill and POTW. Dioxin and dioxin-like compounds discharges reported to
TRI for 2002 were based on sample data collected at the mill in 2001. Concentrations of dioxin
and dioxin-like compounds presented in Table 5-8 for the Boise mill correspond to the
concentrations it used to calculate the discharges it reported to TRI. These concentrations were
measured in the effluent from the mill to the POTW, minus estimated concentrations in the
intake water (Lange, 2005c). The mill was involved in NCASI data collection to estimate the
dioxin emission factor in The SARA Handbook (NCASI, 2005) described in Section 5.3.2. No
dioxin and dioxin-like compounds were measured above the EPA Method 1613B ML.
Weyerhaeuser, Kingsport, TN. Table 5-8 also presents data collected by the
Weyerhaeuser, Kingsport, TN mill. The mill's NPDES permit requires that Weyerhaeuser
measure and report a congener distribution in the final effluent and bleach plant. The mill
provided a total of four effluent analyses for 2002 and 2003. No dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds were measured above the EPA Method 1613B ML.
5.3.3.3 Percentage of TWPE Based on Measurements Above the Method 1613B ML
As discussed above, EPA obtained the monitoring data that five Phase I mills
used to estimate the discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds they reported to TRI.
Using congener concentrations provided by the mills and NCASI and presented in Table 5-8,
EPA estimates that these five mills discharge 1.8 million TWPE per year. EPA recalculated the
TWPE assuming that concentrations reported less than the Method 1613B ML were equal to
zero. Because there is more uncertainty in quantifying a concentration measurement when it is
below the method's minimum level, the assumption that concentrations less than the ML are zero
provides a lower-bounds estimate of the TWPE discharged by these mills. Both sets of
calculated TWPE are presented in Table 5-9. If only concentrations that exceed the Method
1613B ML are used to calculate the TWPE, the estimated discharge for these five mills is only
582 TWPE. Thus, more than 99.9 percent of the TWPE for these five mills is based on congener
concentrations measured below the Method 1613B ML.
5-21
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Furthermore, as presented in Table 5-6, the average concentrations that are the
basis for NCASFs emission factor for elemental chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching chemical pulp
mills (i.e., Phase I mills) are all less than the Method 1613B MLs. Almost 50 percent of the
mills that reported releases to TRI estimated their releases using emission factors. Consequently,
EPA concludes that there is substantial uncertainty about the magnitude of the TRI-reported
dioxin and dioxin-like compounds discharges from facilities in the Pulp and Paper Category. For
this reason, the TRI-reported discharges may not accurately reflect current industry discharges.
Table 5-9. Mass, TEQ, and TWPE of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds for Mills
Providing Individual Congener Concentrations
Mil
Domtar, Ashdown, AR
Bowater, Catawba, SC
Bowater, Calhoun, TN
Boise, St. Helens, OR
Weyerhaeuser,
King sport, TN
Total for Five Mills
TRI
Reporting
Year
2003
2002
2002
2002
2002
Discharges Calculated Using Lab-
Reported Concentrations
grams/year
40.11
3.66
0.85
4.08
2.17
TEQ/year
1.024
0.135
0.004
0.007
0.010
TWPE
1,511,611
217,867
1,528
163
3,894
1.8 million
Discharges Calculated Assuming
Concentrations Reported Less than
Method 1613B ML Equal Zero
grams/year
35.18
0
0
0
0
TEQ/year
0.004
0
0
0
0
TWPE
582
0
0
0
0
582
5.3.3.4
Kimberly-Clark, Everett, Washington
K-C operates a Phase I ammonium sulfite mill in Everett, Washington. The mill
reported final effluent discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds to TRI: 8.19 g in 2002
and 3.001 g in 2003. These discharges represent the largest (in terms of TWPE) discharges of
dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in the category in 2002 and the second largest in 2003. EPA
believes that K-C's discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds are not representative of the
category because the TWPE discharged is much larger than other mills, and the dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds likely originate from atypical discharges of waste wood boiler ash10.
K-C bleach plant effluent concentrations of TCDF are discussed earlier in this section. Although K-C told EPA it
believes its waste wood ash discharges are the principal source of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds released to
water from the mill, the bleach plant effluent TCDF concentrations may also contribute to the final mill effluent load
of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds.
5-22
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
K-C reported that it calculated its TRI-reported releases based on a bleach plant
effluent emission factor and estimates of the dioxin and dioxin-like compounds contributed by its
hog fuel (waste wood) boiler's fly ash handling system. According to K-C, the hog fuel boiler's
baghouse ash system is the principal source of the dioxin and dioxin-like compounds released to
water. The mill reported that ash releases are primarily from fugitive baghouse ash with an
additional contribution from ash clarifier overflow. K-C did not explain how dry, fugitive
baghouse ash is discharged in the mill final effluent. According to K-C, the relatively low-flow
ash clarifier overflow stream has been found to contain low concentrations of dioxin and dioxin-
like compounds (Ketchum, 2006a; 2006b).
K-C explained that the discharge reported to TRI for 2003 was lower than the
2002 discharge due to "improved performance (uptime) of the hog fuel boiler's ash handling
system," (Ketchum, 2006a). To a lesser extent, the mill also attributed the reduced estimate to a
change in its estimated bleach plant emission factor. K-C did not provide the results of analysis
of its bleach plant effluent or any other wastewaters. Consequently, EPA could not determine
how much, if any, of K-C's estimated releases derived from measurements less than the Method
1613BML.
K-C's investigations into its discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds
suggested to the mill that salt-laden hog fuel may be a key component of dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds formation. Logs transported by floating in seawater have relatively high
concentrations of sodium chloride and the extra chloride in the hog fuel boiler can lead to the
formation of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds (Uloth, 2003).
EPA contacted Washington Department of Ecology to learn if Washington State
mills typically use sea-floated logs, or if this practice is unique to K-C, Everett. Don Nelson
reported that no Washington State mills directly receive sea-floated logs, but K-C in Everett has
an off-site chip facility that probably receives sea-floated logs. Mr. Nelson also reported that
many Washington State mills buy chips from Canada that may be made from sea-floated logs
(Lange, 2006a). The practice of sea-floating logs is more common in North America's Pacific
Northwest than in the rest of the United States.
5-23
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Using K-C's reported congener discharges, EPA calculated the TWPE and TEQ
of its TRI-reported discharges using the same methods described above. Table 5-10 summarizes
the reported mass discharge, TEQ, and TWPE.
Table 5-10. Mass, TEQ, and TWPE of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds Estimated
Discharges from Kimberly-Clark, Everett, Washington (as Reported to TRI)
Year
2002
2003
grams/year
8.190
3.0
TEQ/year
0.765
0.321
TWPE/year
1,104,866
472,778
5.3.4 Phase II Mill Discharges of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
This subsection describes monitoring data that two Phase II mills used to estimate
their TRI releases and the specific congeners detected in their effluents. Discharges from these
two mills account for 38.8 percent of the TWPE for Phase II mill dioxin and dioxin-like
compound 2002 discharges.
5.3.4.1 Phase II Mills for Which EPA has Monitoring Data
Table 5-11 lists the five Phase II mills that reported to TRI that they used
monitoring data or direct measurements to estimate the discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds.
NCASI contacted 9 of the 10 mills that reported the largest (in terms of TWPE)
2002 discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. This included Blandin Paper, Grand
Rapids, MN and Nippon, Port Angeles, WA (U.S. EPA, 2005b; Wiegand, 2006). Table 5-12
presents the effluent monitoring data these mills used as the basis of their 2002 TRI discharge
estimates. Concentrations for three congeners (1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF, OCDF, and OCDD)
measured at the Blandin Paper Co. mill were measured at concentrations above the Method
1613BML.
5-24
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Table 5-11. Phase II Mills that Reported Using Monitoring or Direct Measurements to
Estimate TRI-Reported Releases
Facility
City, State
Grams Released
(after POTW
removal)
TWPE
Monitoring Data Provided to EPA
2002
Blandin Paper Co. a
Nippon (was
Daishowa America)
Buckeye Lumberton
Inc.
Marcal Paper Mills a
Smart Papers LLC a
Grand Rapids, MN
Port Angeles, WA
Lumberton, NC
Elmwood Park, NJ
Hamilton, OH
3.20
1.82
0.10
0.01
0.00
86
290
180
22
0.3
Blandin provided influent to wastewater
treatment data and method for calculating
estimated transfer to POTW.
Nippon provided mill final effluent.
EPA contacted mill but it could not provide
the monitoring data used to calculate the
2002 discharge.
Marcal routinely monitors wastewater
solids for dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds but not wastewater. Estimated
discharges based on effluent solids load and
concentration in solids.
Analyzed wastewater solids, not
wastewater. Dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds not detected in solids,
estimated discharge based on solids
detection limit and effluent solids load.
Indirect discharger. Reported monitoring data or direct measurement used to estimate the mass of dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds transferred to POTW.
5-25
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Table 5-12. Concentrations of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds in Phase II Effluent
Samples (pg/L)
Dioxin Congener
1613B ML
Pg/L
5/15/02 Blandin,
MN
12/31/02 Blandin,
MN
2002; Nippon Pt
Angeles, WA
Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (CDFs)
2,3,7,8-TCDF
1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF
2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF
1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF
1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF
2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF
1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF
1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDF
10
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
179*
0
1,050*
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
226*
0
1,760*
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10.6
0
27
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (CDDs)
2,3,7,8-TCDD
1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD
1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD
1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD
1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD
1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD
10
50
50
50
50
50
100
Grams/year
Grams TEQ/year
TWPE/year
0
0
0
0
0
7.25
211"
0
0
0
0
0
12.5
261*
18.8b(3.2)c
0.023b (0.004)c
86C
0
0
0
0
0
24.1
97.6
1.82
0.004
290
aShaded cells identify concentrations greater than the Method 1613B ML.
bReported discharge transferred to POTW; EPA estimated that approximately 83 percent of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds
are removed in a POTW. TWPE calculated after POTW removal.
°Pounds released to the environment accounting for POTW removal of metals transferred to POTWs.
5-26
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
5.3.4.2 Dioxin Congeners Measured in Effluent from Two Phase II Mills
Blandin Paper Co., Grand Rapids, MN. Blandin is a groundwood pulp mill
that produces lightweight coated groundwood offset and rotogravure printing papers. The mill
bleaches groundwood softwood pulp with hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydrosulfite
(Lockwood-Post, 2001). This process is not known to generate dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds. Discharges from Blandin are covered by Phase II Subparts G (Groundwood,
Chemi-Mechanical, and Chemi-Thermo-Mechanical) and K (Fine and Lightweight Paper from
Purchased Pulp). The mill treats its wastewater in an on-site biological treatment plant before
discharging it to a joint industrial/municipal POTW (Lockwood-Post, 2001).
In materials provided to NCASI (Wiegand, 2005h), Blandin explained that it
calculated its releases of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds using concentrations measured in the
influent to its wastewater treatment plant on 5/15/2002 and 12/31/2002. It averaged the two
days' measurements for each congener, summed the average congener concentrations, and
multiplied by a flow of 9.6 MGD (3,504 MGY). The resulting gross discharge was 24.58 g/year
of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds.
From this gross discharge, Blandin subtracted mass contributions from raw water
and from the solids influent to its wastewater treatment plant. The mill calculated the raw water
load using NCASI SARA Handbook Table 17 (NCASI, 2005), raw water concentrations, and an
estimated intake of 9.6 MGD. The resulting load from the raw water was 0.71 g/year of dioxin
and dioxin-like compounds.
Blandin's measured concentrations represent the influent to its wastewater
treatment plant. This wastewater receives further treatment, including solids removal, prior to
discharge to the POTW. Therefore, to estimate the mass of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds
transferred to the POTW, Blandin subtracted the amount of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in
the solids entering its wastewater treatment plant. The calculated load from solids was 5.00
grams/year. The net discharge for 2002 was 24.58 - 0.71 - 5.00 = 18.8 g/year.
5-27
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Blandin reported to TRI transferring dioxin and dioxin-like compounds to their
POTW in 2002 and 2003. They reported transferring 18.8 grams in 2002, more than any other
facility in the category. They reported transferring 13 grams in 2003; only Domtar, Ashdown,
AR reported discharging a greater mass of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in 2003. Although
the total mass of the congeners discharged is relatively high, the TWPE is low because the
congeners detected in the Blandin wastewater have relatively low toxicity. Furthermore, EPA
assumes that approximately 83 percent of the dioxin and dioxin-like compounds will be removed
in the POTW.
The sources of the dioxin and dioxin-like compounds measured in the Blandin
mill wastewater are unknown. Chlorine bleaching is not the source because the mill does not
bleach with chlorine.
Nippon, Port Angeles, WA. Nippon (formerly Daishowa America Co. Ltd.) is a
groundwood pulp mill that produces directory- and specialty-groundwood-grade papers.
Discharges from Nippon operations are covered by Phase II Subparts G (Groundwood, Chemi-
Mechanical, and Chemi-Thermo-Mechanical) and I (Secondary Fiber Deink). The mill bleaches
groundwood pulp and secondary fiber with hydrosulfite, a process not known to generate dioxin
and dioxin-like compounds. Nippon treats its wastewater in an activated sludge treatment
system before discharge to the Strait of Juan de Fuca (Lockwood-Post, 2001). The mill based its
reported 2002 discharges on the concentrations of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds measured
in a single effluent sample collected on November 9, 2000. NCASI provided these data to EPA
in a letter dated January 4, 2006 (Wiegand, 2006).
EPA estimated that Blandin, Grand Rapids, MN and Nippon, Port Angeles, WA
discharge only 376 TWPE per year, due to the low TWF for the congeners they detected in their
effluents. EPA recalculated the TWPE assuming that concentrations reported less than the
Method 1613B ML were equal to zero. EPA found the recalculated discharge for these two mills
is only 82 TWPE. Thus, more than 78 percent of the TWPE for these two mills is based on
congener concentrations measured below the Method 1613B ML.
5-28
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
5.3.5 Summary of Data Reported to TRI
In its review of the dioxin and dioxin-like compound monitoring data reported by
pulp and paper mills to TRI, EPA found:
Sixty-one mills reported discharging dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in
2002 (47 Phase I and 14 Phase II mills) to TRI. Of these 61 mills, 15
indicated that their reported discharges were based on monitoring data or
direct measurement. Similarly 15 of the 59 mills that reported releases in
2003 reported estimating discharges using monitoring data.
Twenty-seven of the 61 mills that reported releases of dioxin and dioxin-
like compounds in 2002 reported that they used emission factors to
estimate their releases. Similarly, 26 of 59 mills that reported releases in
2003 reported they used emission factors.
Mills contacted by NCASI reported the emission factors they used were
dioxin and dioxin-like compound concentrations from Table 14 PCDD/F
Concentrations in Eight ECF Bleached Chemical Pulp Mill Treated
Effluents. However, these concentrations were based on monitoring data
for which all average congener concentrations are less than the Method
1613B ML. Of the concentration data for individual mills comprising the
averages, only two measurements of OCDD were above the Method
1613BML.
EPA obtained monitoring data used by five Phase I mills to estimate the
discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds they reported to TRI and
estimated that these five mills discharge 1.8 million TWPE per year. EPA
recalculated the TWPE assuming that concentrations reported less than the
Method 1613B ML were equal to zero. EPA found the recalculated
discharge for these five mills is only 582 TWPE. Thus, more than 99.9
percent of the TWPE for these five mills is based on congener
concentrations measured below the Method 1613B ML.
One mill, K-C, Everett, WA reported the largest discharges (in terms of
TWPE) in 2002 and the second largest in 2003. EPA believes that K-C's
discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds are not representative of
the category as a whole because the TWPE discharged is much larger than
other mills, and the dioxin and dioxin-like compounds likely originate
from atypical discharges of waste wood boiler ash.
5-29
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
• EPA obtained monitoring data used by two Phase II mills to estimate the
discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds they reported to TRI and
estimated that these two mills discharge 376 TWPE per year. EPA
recalculated the TWPE assuming that concentrations reported less than the
Method 1613B ML were equal to zero. EPA found the recalculated
discharge for these seven mills is only 82 TWPE. Thus, more than 78
percent of the TWPE for these two mills is based on congener
concentrations measured below the Method 1613B ML.
With only one exception, the TRI-reported discharges for Phase I mills for which
EPA obtained congener-specific measurement data are below the Method 1613B ML. The
exception is the concentration of OCDD measured in one Phase I mill's bleach plant effluent.
Also, the congener-specific measurement data that NCASI used to develop an emission factor for
water discharges from 100 percent chlorine dioxide bleaching Phase I pulp mills are below the
Method 1613B ML.
Similarly, the TRI-reported discharges for the Phase II mills for which EPA
obtained congener-specific measurement data are below the Method 1613B ML, with the
exception of three (1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF, OCDF, and OCDD) measured in one Phase II mill's
effluent. However, due to the low TWFs for these congeners, EPA estimated that this mill
discharged only 86 TWPE.
The vast majority of data underlying the estimated releases of dioxin and dioxin-
like compounds reported to TRI is based on pollutant concentrations below the Method 1613B
MLs. TRI-reported discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds for this category do not
accurately reflect current industry discharges.
5.4 Background Concentrations of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
Dioxin and dioxin-like compounds are anthropogenic (man-made) chemicals that
do not occur naturally in the environment. Even though these chemicals do not occur naturally,
they are frequently found in soil, surface water, and lake and stream sediments. Sources of
dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in surface water and sediments include industrial and
municipal wastewater discharges and atmospheric deposition. EPA's Dioxin Reassessment (U.S.
EPA, 2003b) includes a summary of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds concentrations in
5-30
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
sediment. Among other studies, the Dioxin Reassessment presents the results of a time-trend
study of dioxin-like compounds in sediment cores (Versar, 1996; Cleverly, 1996). Sediments
from 1 1 lakes/reservoirs located throughout the United States were selected to represent
background conditions (i.e., sites with no known sources of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds).
Based on the most recently deposited sediments, total TEQ -WHOgg concentrations ranged from
0. 12 parts per trillion (ppt) to 16.3 ppt.
The concentrations of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in pulp and paper mill
effluents are measured as pg/L. To compare these concentrations to the sediment concentrations,
EPA assumed that the effluents contain 30 mg total suspended solids (TSS)/liter and further
assumed that all discharged dioxin and dioxin-like compounds are associated with the TSS.
Table 5-13 compares the TEQ concentrations of the discharges from the two Phase II mills that
provided effluent congener concentration data. The table shows the annual TEQ discharge from
the two mills (in grams per year) and the calculated annual TSS discharge (in trillion grams per
year). The table also shows the TEQ concentration of the mill discharges and background
sediments (in ppt). Phase I mill effluents are not included in this comparison because EPA has
no data showing that Phase I mill effluents contain dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in
concentrations above the Method 1613B MLs. (The Domtar, Ashdown, AR sample in which
OCDD was detected above the Method 1613B ML was a sample of bleach plant effluent.)
Table 5-13. Comparison of Mill Discharge Concentrations and Background Sediment
Concentrations, Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds, TEQ (ppt)
Dioxin and Dioxin-Like
Compounds Source
Blandin, MN
Nippon, WA
Background Sediment0
Treated Effluent
Discharge (g TEQ/year)
0.0043
0.004
-
Estimated TSS Discharge
(trillion g/year)b
3.98 xlO'4
3.43 x 10'4
-
TEQ (ppt)
10.0
11.9
0.12 to 16.3
aAs discharged to the environment, assuming 83 percent POTW removal.
bAssumes 30 mg TSS/L. Blandin discharge is 3,504 MGY; Nippon discharge is 3,022 MGY.
'Versar, 1996; Cleverly et al., 1996. As cited in U.S. EPA, 2003.
EPA's calculated mill effluent TEQ concentrations (10.0 and 11.9 ppt) fall in the range of
concentrations of background sediment.
5-31
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
The distribution of dioxin congeners in contaminated media is characteristic of
the source of the contamination. For example, chlorine bleaching of chemical pulps will
generate TCDD and TCDF. EPA's dioxin reassessment describes the sediment samples taken
from Siskiwit Lake, on Isle Royale, Lake Superior. The atmosphere is the only source of
anthropogenic chemicals in Siskiwit Lake. Researchers (Czuczwa et al., 1984, as cited in U.S.
EPA, 2003) found that in Siskiwit Lake sediment, OCDD was the most predominant congener,
and HpCDD and HpCDF congeners were also abundant. Rappe et al. (1997, as cited in U.S.
EPA, 2003) studied sediment samples from 15 southern Mississippi lakes not known to be
impacted by industrial point sources of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. They found that
HpCDDs and OCDD were the predominant congeners in sediments from these lakes. Table 5-14
compares the relative abundance of dioxin congeners from these two studies of pristine lake
sediments and the two Phase II mills that provided effluent congener concentration data.
Table 5-14. Comparison of Relative Abundance of Dioxin Congeners
Dioxin and Dioxin-Like
Compounds Source
Siskiwit Lake Sediments3
Mississippi Lake Sediments'3
Nippon, Port Angeles, WA°
Blandin, Grand Rapids, MN
Most Predominant Congeners
OCDD
OCDD and HpCDDs
OCDD
OCDF
Other Abundant Congeners
HpCDDs and HpCDFs
-
HpCDD and HpCDF
OCDD and HpCDFs
"Czuczwa, et al., 1984, as cited in U.S. EPA, 2003.
bRappe, et al., 1997, as cited in U.S. EPA, 2003.
'Concentrations in Nippon effluent were less than the Method 1613B ML.
The distribution of congeners detected in the Nippon mill effluent is the same as
the distribution in Siskiwit Lake sediments. This suggests that the dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds in the mill effluent may have the same source as the lake sediments. The distribution
of congeners detected in the Blandin mill effluent differs from the distribution in lake sediment,
with OCDF rather than OCDD the most predominant congener. However, congeners detected in
Blandin mill effluent are, like those in lake sediments, the lowest toxicity congeners.
5-32
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
5.5 Detailed Study Findings for Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
EPA conducted a detailed study of the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Category, in
part, to determine:
• If the existing ELGs for discharges of TCDD and TCDF from mills with
operations in Subparts B and E (Phase I) should be revised; and
• If existing ELGs for the Phase II subcategories should be revised to
control discharges of TCDD, TCDF, or other dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds.
In 1998, EPA established ELGS for TCDD and TCDF for Phase I mills and
required that mills demonstrate compliance with these guidelines at mill bleach plant effluent.
NPDES permit monitoring data show that as of 2004, bleach plant effluent concentrations meet
the guidelines established in EPA's 1998 rulemaking.
Both Phase I and Phase II mills report estimated releases of dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds, including TCDD, TCDF, and 15 other congeners, to TRI. However, the vast
majority of data underlying the estimated releases of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds reported
to TRI is based on pollutant concentrations below the Method 1613B MLs. For this reason, there
is substantial uncertainty about the magnitude of these discharges from facilities in the Pulp and
Paper Category. TRI-reported discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds for this category
are most likely significantly overestimated, and thus do not accurately reflect current industry
discharges.
Estimates of TCDD and TCDF discharge loads based on information in PCS
reflect actual measurement data and likely more accurately reflect discharges for Phase I mills.
However, operations for some mills changed after 2002 such that 2004 data more accurately
reflect the current industry discharges. PCS data for 2004 show:
• TCDD was not detected in bleach plant effluent or mill final effluent.
• TCDF was not detected in mill final effluent.
5-33
-------
Section 5.0- Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds
• TCDF was detected in concentrations greater than the Method 1613 ML in
bleach plant effluent at only 2 of the 49 mills for which EPA has data.
Four other mills reported their bleach plant effluent concentration as <31.9
pg/L, so EPA could not determine if TCDF was detected above the
Method 1613B ML. All mills met the Cluster Rules ELGs.
For the two Phase II mills for which EPA has dioxin congener data, EPA's
calculated mill effluent TEQ concentrations (10.0 and 11.9 ppt) fall in the range of
concentrations of background sediment from lakes not known to be impacted by industrial point
sources of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. The distribution of congeners detected in one
Phase II mill effluent is the same as the distribution in sediments from a lake for which the
atmosphere is the only source of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. The distribution of
congeners detected in the other mill's effluent differs from the distribution in lake sediment, but,
like the congeners in lake sediments, the only congeners detected in the mill's effluent are the
lowest toxicity congeners. The dioxin and dioxin-like compounds detected in Phase II mill
effluent are similar in type and concentration to the dioxin and dioxin-like compounds detected
in uncontaminated surface water sediments.
5-34
-------
Section 6.0 - Metals
6.0 METALS
The Pulp and Paper Category ranked higher than any other category in EPA's
2005 and 2006 screening-level reviews of discharges from industrial categories. The high
ranking of this category is primarily due to discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, but
metals rank second in their contribution to the total category toxic discharges. For this reason,
EPA conducted an analysis of metals discharges from pulp and paper mills to answer the
following questions:
• What quantity of metals is discharged in pulp and paper mill effluents and
which metals contribute the majority of TWPE?
• How do the concentrations of metals in mill effluents compare to
analytical method minimum levels and mill intake water concentrations?
• What effluent treatment technologies are used to control metals discharged
from pulp and paper mills?
• What pollution prevention strategies are available to permit writers to
address mill-specific metals discharge issues?
6.1 Annual Loads from the Screening-Level Analysis
Table 6-1 lists metals discharges from pulp and paper mills calculated from
EPA's PCS and TRI databases. The table presents the number of mills that reported discharges
of each metal, the total TWPE for each metal discharged in 2002, and the percentage of the total
category TWPE contributed by discharges of the metal. The table includes metals that
contributed more than 0.1 percent of the total category TWPE reported to either database.
Discharge data for some metals may not be included in both databases. For example, because
TRI does not require facilities to report releases of aluminum compounds, no TRI aluminum
discharges are listed in Table 6-1. PCS contains permit-required monitoring data for direct-
discharging facilities. Each mill's NPDES permit specifies the pollutants to monitor and at what
frequency.
6-1
-------
Section 6.0 - Metals
Table 6-1. Metals Discharge Loads in PCSLoads2002_v4 and TRIReleases2002_v4 from
Phase I and Phase II Pulp and Paper Mills
Manganese
Aluminum
Lead
Zinc
Mercury
Copper
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium,
Hexavalent
Chromium
Subtotal, Metals
Category Total, All
Pollutants
TWF
0.070
0.065
2.24
0.047
117.1
0.635
4.04
23.1
0.517
0.076
PCSLoads2002
Number of
Facilities
Reporting
4
29
12
48
15
44
6
5
1
9
90
257
Category
TWPE
287
92,205
2,299
2,879
6,838
5,496
4,410
3,555
2,059
1,982
123,047
1,538,130
Percent of PCS
Category
TWPE (%)
0.02%
5.99%
0.15%
0.19%
0.44%
0.36%
0.29%
0.23%
0.13%
0.13%
8.12%
TRIReleases2002
Number of
Facilities
Reporting
112
—
186
72
74
10
1
—
—
8
206
257
Category
TWPE
303,729
—
66,240
14,520
7,251
2,516
1,010
—
—
230
398,313
1,952,130
Percent of TRI
Category
TWPE (%)
15.38%
—
3.35%
0.74%
0.37%
0.13%
0.05%
—
—
0.01%
20.11%
Source: PCSLoads2002_v4;
— No data available.
TRIReleases2002 v4.
The remainder of this section focuses on the metals listed in Table 6-1. These
metals represent 99.3 percent of the TWPE of metals reported released to TRI, and 99.2 percent
of the TWPE of metals for which PCS includes monitoring data.
6.2
Metals Concentrations in Mill Effluent and Mill Intake
EPA collected information about the concentrations of metals in pulp and paper
mill discharges. EPA then compared these discharge concentrations to analytical method
minimum levels (MLs)11 and the concentrations found in mill intake waters. This subsection
identifies the data sources EPA used for this review. It also presents typical mill effluent metals
concentrations and compares median mill effluent concentrations to analytical method minimum
levels and to intake water metals concentrations. This section also presents a summary of the
conclusions EPA reached regarding metals discharges during the development of the 1993
proposed ELGs for the Pulp and Paper Category.
11 The minimum level (ML) is the concentration at which the analytical system gives recognizable signals and an
acceptable calibration point.
6-2
-------
Section 6.0 - Metals
6.2.1 Data Sources
EPA collected mill effluent concentration data from three sources: technical
bulletins published by NCASI, a nonprofit research institute funded by North American forest
products companies; NPDES Permit Renewal Application (Form 2C) data; and PCS monthly
data for Phase I mills. EPA had previously collected the Phase I mill monthly data for its review
of the implementation of the 1998 guidelines revisions.
6.2.1.1 NCASI Data
NCASI maintains a database of wastewater pollutant concentrations from pulp
and paper mills. Effluent metals concentrations from the database are presented in NCASI
Technical Bulletin 756 (NCASI, 1998) and are listed in Table 6-2. These data combine
discharge information from many mills using either activated sludge or aerated stabilization
basins to provide secondary treatment (NCASI, 1998). Information is not readily available on
the number of mills included in the NCASI database, nor the data quality control procedures
NCASI used. For example, NCASI did not report how they used values reported as "not
detected" to calculate median concentrations.
6.2.1.2 NPDES Permit Application (Form 2C) Data
When mills file applications for new or revised NPDES permits, they must
complete a Form 2C, which requires analyses of certain pollutants, some of which are metals.
Effluent data requirements vary depending on the types of pollutants the permitting authority
expects to be present in a mill's wastewater. Mills are not required to identify the analytical
method used to conduct the pollutant analyses.
EPA obtained copies of Form 2Cs from 18 of the 68 direct discharging Phase I
mills and 10 of the 118 direct discharging Phase II mills. International Paper (IP) provided EPA
with Form 2Cs or the associated analytical data for 22 of its 23 mills, all located east of the
Rocky Mountains. In addition, EPA received Form 2Cs for another six mills in Pennsylvania
and South Carolina. Seven of the mills for which EPA collected Form 2C data also reported
their intake water metals concentrations. Median mill effluent concentrations are reported in
6-3
-------
Section 6.0 - Metals
Table 6-2; only the detected values are included in the median. The mill intake concentrations
obtained are reported in Table 6-3. The Form 2C data are representative of mills in the Eastern
United States only (e.g., data do not represent mills from Washington or Oregon).
6.2.1.3 PCS Data
The PCS system contains permit-required monitoring data for direct dischargers.
As required by their permits, mills file Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) with the state
once a month (or at other specified frequencies). Each mill's NPDES permit specifies the
pollutants to monitor and the monitoring frequency. States are responsible for entering DMR
data into EPA's PCS database. In 2005, EPA evaluated the implementation of its 1998 effluent
guidelines revisions and reported the results in EPA's Preliminary Report: Pulp, Paper, and
Paperboard Detailed Study (U.S. EPA, 2005b). As part of the evaluation, EPA retrieved
monthly data for all Phase I mills reporting to PCS. EPA reviewed that data as part of the
analysis presented here. Thirty-four mills reported concentration data for metals discharges out
of the 72 Phase I mills for which data have been reported to PCS. Twenty-three of these mills
detected concentrations of at least one of the metals EPA included in this analysis. These 23
mills are located in 15 states, including one mill located west of the Rocky Mountains.
6.2.2 Mill Effluent Concentrations
Table 6-2 summarizes the metals concentration data EPA collected from all three
sources. Metals are listed in alphabetical order. Table 6-2 includes the median metal
concentration for each data source. EPA calculated the median concentration for the Form 2C
and PCS data, while NCASI provided the median concentration for their data. EPA included
only detected values in its median calculations. Table 6-2 also lists the number of mills reporting
detectable concentrations of each metal from the Form 2C and PCS data.
6-4
-------
Section 6.0 - Metals
Table 6-2. Median Concentration of Selected Metals in Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent,
Total Metals
Aluminum
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium,
Total
Copper
Lead
Manganese
Mercury
Zinc
Method
Minimum
Level"
50
20
2
10
10
20
2
0.2
5
NCASI
Effluent
(Median)
—
—
6
63
20
—
—
0.6
115
Form 2C Effluent
Median
(Mill Count)
1,338 (24)
10.0 (5)
0.54 (6)
6.1(12)
6.9(13)
16.8 (6)
556 (22)
0.1 (7)
41 (22)
PCS 2002
Median
(Mill Count)
1,147 (8)
1.6 (2)
0.60 (2)
23(4)
15(7)
1.1 (4)
256 (2)
0.01 (9)
54 (10)
PCS 2002 Reported
Nondetect
(Mill Count)
5
2
1
1
6
4
—
4
3
— No data available.
"Mercury, Method 245.1. All other metals on the table, Method 200.7.
The concentrations of most metals reported in Form 2C are within an order of
magnitude of the concentrations reported in PCS 2002. NCASI concentrations are typically 2 to
10 times higher than the Form 2C or PCS concentrations.
As explained previously, EPA collected Form 2C data representing effluent from
28 mills, including 18 Phase I mills and 10 Phase II mills. In comparison, the PCS 2002 data
represent 34 Phase I mills. Because the Form 2C data represent more types of mills (i.e., both
Phase I and Phase II mills), EPA used the Form 2C data for comparison to analytical method
minimum levels and to the concentrations achievable by effective treatment of metal-bearing
wastewaters.
6.2.3
Comparison of Median Mill Effluent Concentration and Method Minimum
Levels
There are multiple approved analytical methods for measuring metals
concentrations in wastewater. These methods establish both the equipment and techniques for
measuring the metal as well as the minimum concentration at which the target analytes can be
reliably quantified. This ML is the concentration at which the analytical system gives
6-5
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Section 6.0 - Metals
recognizable signals and an acceptable calibration point. In other words, the ML represents the
smallest quantity of a metal that can be reliably measured.
Facilities are not required to identify the analytical method used to measure the
effluent pollutant concentrations that they report on Form 2Cs. Therefore, EPA does not know
which methods and MLs are applicable to their analytical results. However, in the effluent
guidelines program, EPA typically analyzes wastewater for metals using Method 245.1 for
mercury and Method 200.7 for the other seven metals. For this reason, Table 6-2 compares the
Methods 245.1 and 200.7 MLs to the median reported metals discharge concentrations.
Comparing method MLs to median effluent metals concentrations reveals that
manganese and aluminum are discharged well above their respective MLs. The other six metals
are discharged at concentrations near or below their respective MLs.
6.2.4 Form 2C Intake Water Metals Concentrations
In some cases, facilities face difficulty meeting water quality criteria because of
the level of pollutants in their intake water. Under these conditions, mills may provide intake
concentration data on their Form 2Cs. The permitting authority may allow credit in the NPDES
permit for pollutants in intake water. Seven of the mills for which EPA collected Form 2C data
also provided metals intake concentrations. These mills are located in Alabama, South Carolina,
Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. Table 6-3 presents intake and effluent data for each
of these mills.
With the exception of aluminum and manganese, the intake concentrations of the
metals presented in Table 6-3 are generally greater than the median effluent concentrations. At
three of the six mills providing intake and effluent concentrations for aluminum and at three of
the seven mills providing intake and effluent concentrations for manganese, the intake
concentration was greater than the effluent concentration.
6-6
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Section 6.0 - Metals
Table 6-3. Comparison of Intake and Effluent Concentrations for Seven Mills Providing Intake Concentrations (|lg/L)
Aluminum
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium,
Total
Copper
Lead
Manganese
Mercury
Zinc
Form 2C
Median
Effluent
Cone.
1,338
10.0
0.54
6.1
6.9
16.8
556
0.1
41
Mflii
Intake
50
—
—
—
8.3
—
6.3
—
—
Effluent
440
—
—
—
3.5
—
200
—
—
Mil 2
Intake
90
—
—
—
—
—
1,090
480
Effluent
1,970
—
—
—
—
—
1,090
40
Mill 3
Intake
2,100
46
0.3
15
23
50
260
—
300
Effluent
750
37
0.2
12
11
52
980
—
60
Mill 4
Intake
28,300
—
—
—
—
—
2,880
—
—
Effluent
1,820
—
—
—
—
—
730
—
18
MJ115
Intake
5,300
—
—
5
60
—
100
—
50
Effluent
1,170
—
—
Oa
10
—
91
—
13
MS116
Intake
—
—
—
—
—
—
22
—
20
Effluent
617
1
—
—
—
—
71
—
20
Mill 7
Intake
220
—
—
—
100
—
150
—
58
Effluent
310
—
—
—
13
—
530
—
110
aMill reported a measurement of zero on Form 2C; neither the measurement method nor the detection limit were provided.
— No data available.
-------
Section 6.0 - Metals
6.2.5 Wastewater Sample Data Collected by EPA to Support the 1993 Proposed
Pulp Mill ELGs
While developing revisions to the Pulp and Paper Category regulations proposed
in 1993, EPA collected data in an extensive sampling program. The sampling program
comprised a series of short- and long-term sampling episodes at 19 separate facilities. EPA
analyzed wastewater for a total of 443 pollutants including priority pollutants and other metals in
samples collected from chemical pulp mills that bleach (i.e., mills in the Phase I and Phase III
subcategories). These data were published in the 1993 Development Document for Proposed
ELGs (U.S. EPA, 1993). For its proposal, EPA determined that 24 pollutants should be subject
to limitations. These 24 pollutants did not include any metals, although manganese, aluminum,
zinc, and mercury were detected in sampled wastewater. EPA determined that aluminum and
manganese were not pollutants of concern because they were detected at concentrations not
considered treatable with end-of-pipe treatment technologies suitable for large effluent flows.
Aluminum was detected at a maximum concentration of 2,480 |J,g/L and manganese was detected
at a maximum concentration of 2,660 |J,g/L. EPA determined that zinc, detected at a maximum
concentration of 116 |J,g/L, was not a pollutant of concern because it was detected at higher
concentrations in mill water supplies (i.e., intake) than in treated effluents12. Mercury was found
in effluents from two of three mills sampled at a maximum concentration of 74 |J,g/L. However,
EPA did not propose or establish effluent limitations for mercury.
6.2.6 Summary of Issues Related to Metals Concentrations
Below is a summary of the issues EPA found in reviewing the collected
information about metals concentrations in pulp and paper mill discharges:
EPA collected metals concentration data from NCASI references, Form
2C, and PCS. The quality control standards applied to the NCASI data are
unknown.
12 Prior to the 1993 proposed revisions, EPA had promulgated ELGs for zinc discharges from one Phase II
subcategory (Groundwood, Chemi-Mechanical, Chemi-Thermo-Mechanical). Mills that use zinc hydrosulfite as a
bleaching agent are subject to these regulations.
6-8
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Section 6.0 - Metals
• EPA reviewed the Form 2C median concentration data and determined
that only aluminum and manganese were present at concentrations well
above their analytical method MLs.
• EPA has a limited amount of intake concentration data. In this limited
data set, metals concentrations in the intake are often greater than effluent
concentrations. Approximately half of the mills reporting both intake and
effluent data for aluminum and manganese had higher concentrations of
these metals in their intake than in their effluent.
• During the development of the proposed 1993 ELGs for the Pulp and
Paper Category, EPA determined that aluminum and manganese were not
pollutants of concern because they were detected at concentrations not
considered treatable with end-of-pipe treatment technologies suitable for
large effluent flows.
6.3 Metals Control Technologies Applied to Pulp and Paper Mill Wastewaters
EPA sought to identify technologies that have been applied at laboratory, pilot or
full scale to remove metals from pulp and paper mill wastewaters. EPA's review of metals
control technologies applied to pulp and paper mill wastewaters includes a review of NPDES
permit requirements for metals, a summary of NCASI evaluation and bench-scale testing of
metals removal technologies, and a summary of additional literature review of metals removal
technologies.
6.3.1 NPDES Permit Requirements for Metals
EPA collected 92 permits for currently operating pulp and paper mills. Of these,
18 permits were for Phase II mills and 74 permits were for Phase I mills. EPA reviewed 15 of
the 18 Phase II permits for requirements specific to metals. None of the permits for the Phase II
mills included any requirements for the nine metals included in this review. EPA also reviewed
permits for 15 Phase I mills for which PCS includes discharge data for at least one of the metals
listed in Table 6-2 to PCS. These mills were located in 12 different states. EPA also reviewed a
permit for one Phase I mill (International Paper, Quinnesec MI) that included specific mercury
monitoring requirements, even though PCS did not include 2002 monitoring data for the mill.
6-9
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Section 6.0 - Metals
Table 6-4 presents the number of pulp and paper mills with NPDES permit
requirements for any of the nine metals that are the subject of this review. Table 6-4 also
presents representative permit discharge limits. Some mills have limits written in terms of
concentration (e.g., ng/L), some have limits written in terms of discharge loads (pounds/day),
and some have limits written both as concentration and loads. Other permits include monitoring
requirements, only, but do not limit the concentration or quantity of the discharge.
A comparison of the metals concentration limits listed in Table 6-4 to the median
Form 2C effluent concentrations demonstrates that most of the nine metals reviewed are
discharged at concentrations below existing water quality-based permit limits; lead and mercury
are two exceptions. None of the permits reviewed included manganese limits, but permits for
three mills had water quality-based limits for aluminum. However, the Form 2C median effluent
concentration for aluminum is below the aluminum permit limits at all three of these mills.
Although several mills have monitoring requirements and discharge limits for
some of the nine metals in Table 6-2, none operate a treatment system designed to remove metals
from wastewater.
6.3.2 NCASI Evaluation and Bench-Scale Testing of Metals Removal Technologies
EPA prepared guidance for water quality criteria for arsenic (III), cadmium,
copper, chromium (III and VI), mercury, nickel, and zinc as a result of its Great Lakes Initiative
(GLI) process. NCASI conducted a series of studies to identify treatment processes able to
reduce metals concentrations in pulp and paper mill discharges to levels that would comply with
discharge limits based on EPA's water quality guidance for the Great Lakes system. This
subsection summarizes NCASFs three-phased study.
6-10
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Section 6.0 - Metals
Table 6-4. NPDES Permit Requirements for Nine Metals Identified in EPA's Review of 33 Phase I and Phase II Permits
Metal
Aluminum
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium,
Total
Copper
Lead
Manganese
Mercury
Zinc
Total Number of
Mills with Metals
Monitoring
Requirements or
Discharge Limits
3
3
3
o
6
6
2
1
13
8
Number of Mills
Required to Monitor
and Report Metal
Concentrations (but do
not have discharge
limits)
2
1
1
2
—
1
10
5
Number of
Mills with
Discharge
Limits
3
1
2
2
4
2
None
3
3
Representative Permit Discharge Limits
Concentration
Milll: 7,580 |ag/l (daily max)
4,600 |ag/l (monthly avg)
Mill 2: 2,766 |ag/l (monthly avg)
Mill 3 : 3,500 (o.g/1 (instant max)
2,800 |ag/l (daily max)
1,400 |ag/l (monthly avg)
report cone, (monthly avg)
Mill 1: 2.9 |ag/l (daily max)
Mill 2: 3.46 |ag/l (daily max)
Mill 1: None
Mill 2: 1,730 |ag/l (daily avg)
Milll: None
Mill 2: None
Mill 3: 73 |ag/l (daily max)
Mill 4: 18 |ag/l (daily max)
Milll: 5.87 |ag/l (daily max)
Mill 2: 7.4 |ag/l (monthly avg)
None
Mill 1: 0.030 |ag/l (monthly max)
Mill 2: 0.030 |ag/l (monthly max)
Mill 3: 0.560 |ag/l (daily max)
0. 140 |ag/l (weekly avg)
Milll: None
Mill 2: 135 |ag/l (daily max)
Mill 3 : Limit dependant on hardness
Total Loads
Mill 1: 1,587 Ib/day (daily max)
963 Ib/day (monthly avg)
Mill 2: 784 Ibs/day (monthly avg)
Mill 3: None
0.82 Ib/day (monthly avg)
Mill 1: 0.64 Ibs/day (daily max)
Mill 2: None
Milll: 6.5 Ibs/day
Mill 2: None
Milll: 16 Ibs/day
Mill 2: 14.9 Ib/day (daily max)
Mill 3 : 10.8 Ib/day (daily max)
Mill 4: 3.9 Ib/day (daily max)
Milll: None
Mill 2: 1.6 Ib/day (monthly avg)
None
Mill 1: 0.0056 Ibs/day (monthly max)
Mill 2: 0.013 Ib/day (monthly max)
Mill 3: None
Milll: 17 Ibs/day
Mill 2: None
Mill 3 : Limit dependant on hardness
-------
Section 6.0 - Metals
6.3.2.1 NCASI Evaluation of Wastewater Treatment Technologies for Metals
Removal
NCASI evaluated wastewater treatment technologies to identify feasible
approaches for meeting the EPA GLI water quality criteria for six metals (arsenic, cadmium,
chromium, mercury, nickel, and zinc). Results were presented in Technical Bulletin 756
(NCASI, 1998). NCASI evaluated the following major metals removal mechanisms:
precipitation, adsorption, ion exchange, membrane separation, electrochemical separation, and
evaporation. Based on selection criteria, NCASI concluded that sulfide precipitation and
electrocoagulation appeared to have the best potential to cost-effectively and reliably remove
metals from pulp and paper mill wastewater streams. According to NCASI, of the approaches
for sulfide precipitation, the insoluble sulfide process offers the simplest control scheme and best
addresses the issue of the releases of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas, which can adversely affect
worker health. In the insoluble sulfide process, ferrous sulfite (FeS) reacts with soluble metals to
generate insoluble metal sulfides, which form a sludge blanket in a solids contact clarifier. This
sludge blanket promotes effective separation of the precipitated metals from the wastewater.
Wastewater pH is controlled to slightly alkaline to prevent the generation of hydrogen sulfide
(H2S)gas.
Electrocoagulation is a form of iron coprecipitation that uses consumable anodes
that slowly dissolve when subjected to direct current. Iron and aluminum are dissolved from the
anode generating corresponding metal ions, which almost immediately hydrolyze to polymeric
iron or aluminum hydroxide. Coagulation occurs when these metal cations combine with the
negative particles carried toward the anode by electrophoretic motion. Contaminants are either
precipitated or attached to colloidal materials being generated by the electrode erosion. Floe is
removed by electroflotation, or sedimentation and filtration (Mollaha, 2004).
Because there is little information about metals removal processes treating pulp
and paper mill wastewaters to low metals concentrations, NCASI estimated treatment
efficiencies by projecting the results of treating wastewaters from other industries to pulp and
paper wastewaters. NCASFs engineering analysis showed that both sulfide precipitation and
electrocoagulation processes could potentially remove high percentages of dissolved metals and
6-12
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Section 6.0 - Metals
achieve GLI criteria, with the exception of mercury (NCASI, 1998). NCASI's engineering
analysis did not include data from any treatment of pulp and paper mill wastewaters.
6.3.2.2 NCASI Bench-Scale Testing
NCASI conducted laboratory tests of electrocoagulation and the insoluble sulfide
process to further evaluate the ability of these processes to reduce treated effluent concentrations
to below GLI criteria. NCASI collected process wastewater samples at a recycled newsprint mill
and a bleached papergrade kraft mill. Multiple process locations were sampled at each mill,
including the final effluent and a lower volume in-plant process stream with potential for higher
metals concentrations. Wastewaters were spiked with target metals and shipped to treatment
equipment vendor laboratories for testing. Both the electrocoagulation and insoluble sulfide
processes appeared capable of reducing metal concentration from spiked wastewaters.
Table 6-5 compares the GLI metals criteria and the results of the NCASI tests. In
NCASI's tests, concentrations of dissolved arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, and zinc were
reduced to near or below the GLI criteria. Concentrations of dissolved mercury were reduced to
between 0.0071 and 0.033 |J,g/L, still above the GLI criterion of 0.0013 |J,g/L. Because there are
no GLI criteria for aluminum or manganese, NCASI did not include these metals in its tests
(NCASI, 2000). NCASI's bench-scale tests measured concentrations of dissolved metals.
NCASI predicted that pilot- and full-scale treatment effluent concentrations will be higher, due
to inefficiencies in solids removal and the metals concentrations in the suspended solids that
remain in the wastewater.
NCASI estimated the capital and operating and maintenance costs for the
electrocoagulation and insoluble sulfide treatment systems, sized to treat peak flows at the two
sampled mills. The cost estimates were also expressed as total or life cycle costs (present value)
calculated assuming a net (interest minus inflation) 3 percent interest rate and a 20-year project
life, per 1,000 gallons of water treated. The insoluble sulfide treatment costs ranged from $0.21
to $0.84 per 1,000 gallons of wastewater treated. The electrocoagulation treatment costs were
greater, ranging from $0.86 to $2.04 per 1,000 gallons (NCASI, 2000).
6-13
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Section 6.0 - Metals
Table 6-5. Results of NCASI Bench-Scale Tests
Aluminum
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Manganese
Mercury
Zinc
Great Lakes
Initiative Water
Quality Criteria
(Hg/L)8-"
None
147.9 (as As III)
1.43
10.98 (as CrVI)
5
2.7
None
0.0013
66.6
Electrocoagulation Iron
Coprecipitation
(Average Dissolved Metals
Concentrations, jig/L)
Mill!
—
<1.5
0.53
<4
4.8
2.66
—
0.026
7
Mill 2
—
<1.4
1.44
<8
4.4
0.63
—
0.033
7
Insoluble Sulfide Process
(Average Dissolved Metals
Concentrations, jig/L)
Mill!
—
2
0.25
<2
5.6
1.4
—
0.0093
<4
Mill 2
—
1
.043
—
4.8
0.49
—
0.0071
<17
Source: NCASI Technical Bulletin 807 (NCASI, 2000), Table 6.6.
aGLI water quality criteria are written for one arsenic oxidation state, As(III). Total arsenic includes As(III) and all
other oxidation states. If the concentration of total arsenic is less than a target, because As(III) is part of the total
arsenic, As(III) will also be below the target concentration. Similar logic applies to Cr(VI) and total chromium.
bTotal recoverable metals.
Mill 1: recycled newsprint (Phase 2). Mill 2: bleached papergrade kraft (Phase 1)
— No data available.
6.3.2.3
NCASI Bench-Scale Testing of Low-Level Mercury Removal
As described in Section 6.3.2.2, the electrocoagulation and insoluble sulfide
processes NCASI tested in 1999 were not able to reduce the mercury spiked into the tested pulp
and paper effluent to the low concentrations mandated by the GLI. Because of this, NCASI
investigated five other technologies with potential for removing mercury. These tests were
conducted using biological treatment plant effluent from an integrated bleached papergrade kraft
mill. This wastewater contained 5 to 10 nanograms/L of mercury and detectable concentrations
of aluminum, manganese and other metals. Because aluminum and manganese were not the
focus of NCASI's study, their removals were measured only in the first-stage tests of ion
exchange (because aluminum and manganese can compete with mercury for ion exchange sites)
and in tests of reverse osmosis. Table 6-6 lists the technologies tested and a summarizes
NCASI's findings.
6-14
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Section 6.0 - Metals
Table 6-6. Results of NCASI's Investigation of Techniques to Remove Low Levels of
Mercury
Treatment
Technology
Granulated Active
Carbon (GAC)
Ion Exchange (IX)
Reverse Osmosis
(RO)
Nanofiltration (NF)
Iron Co-Precipitation
(ICOP)
NCASI Findings
NCASI tested GAC as a potential treatment to remove organic material prior to IX and RO to prevent
fouling. GAC treatment reduced mercury concentrations to below GLI criterion for dissolved metals.
Long-term feasibility unknown. Removal of aluminum and manganese not tested.
NCASI tested three IX resins, selected because of their affinity to mercury and found good mercury
removals. Resins also effectively removed aluminum and manganese in short-term tests; however,
these removals may be misleading. During further treatment, mercury may displace the aluminum and
manganese from resin exchange sites (chromatographic effect).
Bench-scale RO treatment reduced mercury and other metals to below GLI criterion for dissolved
metals. Aluminum concentration was reduced from 450 to 18 |ig/L. Manganese concentration was
reduced from 472 to 1 . 1 |ig/L. NCASI noted that RO treatment is extremely expensive but produces
high purity water that can be reused in mill operations.
NCASI tested three NF membranes, with differing molecular weight cut-offs. The "medium-tight" NF
membrane reduced mercury to below the GLI criterion for dissolved metals with lower removal of non-
targeted species. Removal of aluminum and manganese were not tested.
ICOP was effective at reducing mercury to below GLI criterion for dissolved metals. Because of the
relatively high organic load of the tested mill effluent (COD 285 mg/L), a high ferric chloride dose (500
mg/L) was required for effective treatment. Although ICOP costs are lower than RO or IX, they are
higher than the insoluble sulfide process tested in an earlier NCASI study.
Source: NCASI Technical Bulletin 807 (NCASI, 2000).
6.3.3
Additional Literature Review of Metals Removal Technology
EPA searched technical literature and found only three studies related to metals
control technologies applied to pulp and paper mill wastewaters published since 2001. Two of
these studies (Zhang, 2000; Bryant, 2004) evaluated the removal of metals in biological
wastewater treatment systems. Zhang (Zhang, 2000) collected samples from three activated
sludge plants. He found that activated sludge treatment considerably reduced effluent
concentrations of iron, manganese, zinc, and copper, indicating rapid sorption of these metals to
the biofloc. Manganese concentrations in untreated wastewaters at the three mills were 2,300,
160, and 540 |j,g/l. After activated sludge treatment, manganese concentrations were reduced to
160, 140, and 120 |j,g/l, respectively. Aluminum was not part of this investigation.
Bryant (Bryant, 2004) estimated the removal of metals at five mills: three
bleached papergrade kraft mills with aerated stabilization basins (ASB), one unbleached kraft
mill with an ASB, and one bleached sulfite mill with a complete-mix activated sludge treatment
plant. He analyzed long-term wastewater influent and final effluent concentrations data and he
also estimated the mass of accumulated sludge solids and the metal content of the sludge. Bryant
6-15
-------
Section 6.0 - Metals
found that the metals capture estimated using the analysis of the influent and effluent
concentrations was reasonably similar to the metals capture estimated using the sludge-based
approach. Bryant found that only copper and lead were consistently captured in biosludges for
all study sites; the removal of aluminum at bleached papergrade kraft mills varied widely
between sites. In contrast to Zhang's finding that manganese was removed in activated sludge
treatment plants, Bryant found low manganese removal.
The third researcher (Vieira, 2001) studied treatment that could be applied to
wastewaters at a Brazilian pulp and paper mill. Vieira found that he could increase metals
removal with ultrafiltration by first treating the wastewater with water-soluble polymeric ligands
(PVA and PEI). This treatment formed metal complexes. Bench-scale testing showed that when
PVA was used, 54 percent of iron (Fe) was removed after 24 hours of contact followed by
ultrafiltration. Vieira found insignificant retention of metals when ultrafiltration was used
without polymer pretreatment. Vieira also measured removals of magnesium and calcium, but
manganese and aluminum were not tested.
6.3.4 Summary of Issues Related to Metals Control Technologies Applied to Pulp
and Paper Mill Wastewaters
Below is a summary of the issues EPA found in reviewing metals control
technologies applied to pulp and paper mill wastewaters.
Few NPDES permits include requirements for metals discharges. Some
permits have monitoring requirements without discharge limits. A few
mills have discharge limits for metals, but they do not use end-of-pipe
treatment to control metals discharges. These mills can meet their permit
limits without treatment.
NCASI studies of metals removal technologies focused on the metals for
which the GLI had published criteria (arsenic (III), cadmium, copper,
chromium (III and VI), mercury, nickel, and zinc). In laboratory-scale
tests of spiked pulp and paper mill wastewater, NCASI found that
electrocoagulation (a type of iron coprecipitation) and the insoluble sulfide
process could remove all GLI dissolved metals with the exception of
mercury to below the GLI criteria. NCASI predicted, however, that pilot-
and full-scale treatment effluent concentrations will be higher due to
inefficiencies in solids removal and the metal concentrations in the
suspended solids that remain in the wastewater. NCASI did not test these
6-16
-------
Section 6.0 - Metals
treatment options for aluminum or manganese removal. While reverse
osmosis was shown to be effective in reducing aluminum and manganese
as well as other GLI metals in NCASI bench-scale tests, this treatment
option was considered extremely expensive.
• EPA's literature review found very few studies of metals control
technologies applied to pulp and paper mill wastewaters. Two separate
studies evaluating metals removal in biological treatment systems showed
varying results for manganese removal. EPA has not identified other
studies evaluating the removal of aluminum or manganese for pulp and
paper mill wastewaters.
6.4 Evaluation of Removal Technologies for Aluminum and Manganese
Comparing aluminum and manganese effluent concentrations to the Method 200.7
ML and available intake concentrations indicates that at some mills, aluminum and manganese
are present at concentrations well above the method ML and well above the concentration found
in the intake water. As a result of the review described in Section 6.3 of this report, EPA found
no instances that metals control technologies had been applied at full or pilot scale to remove
metals from pulp and paper mill wastewaters. EPA found limited data from NCASI laboratory-
scale studies. NCASFs study of electrocoagulation and the insoluble sulfide process did not
include aluminum and manganese. Their laboratory-scale studies of low-level mercury removal
included limited data on the removals of aluminum and manganese using ion exchange and
reverse osmosis, technologies that are much more expensive to operate than the insoluble sulfide
and other metals precipitation processes. For this reason, EPA reviewed metals precipitation
processes that have been used to remove aluminum and manganese from wastewaters other than
pulp and paper mill effluents. EPA reviewed metals removal technologies used for development
of ELGs for other categories: single-stage hydroxide precipitation and two-stage precipitation.
EPA found data quantifying aluminum and manganese removals by these two treatment
technologies
6.4.1 Single-Stage Hydroxide Precipitation
Hydroxide precipitation is the most commonly used metals removal technology.
In this process lime (calcium hydroxide) or caustic (sodium hydroxide) is added to wastewaters
containing metals. These chemicals raise the wastewater pH and form low solubility metal
6-17
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Section 6.0 - Metals
hydroxides that then precipitate from solution. The effectiveness of this treatment depends on
the final pH achieved and the solubility of the metal hydroxide at that pH. During its
development of effluent limitations guidelines and pretreatment standards for the Metal Products
and Machinery (MP&M) Point Source Category (40 CFR Part 438), EPA collected treatment
performance data from facilities that use hydroxide precipitation and gravity clarification with
pretreatment of individual waste streams (U.S. EPA, 2003a). These facilities also use in-process
pollution prevention, recycling, and water conservation methods that allow for recovery and
reuse of process chemicals. EPA developed long-term average treatment effectiveness
concentrations for a large number of metals for one MP&M subcategory, General Metals. The
subcategory includes wastewater from most manufacturing operations and heavy rebuilding
operations (e.g., aircraft, aerospace, auto, bus/truck, railroad). Although EPA's collected data
were not used as the basis for promulgated regulations, they provide information on the
effectiveness of single-stage hydroxide precipitation treatment.
6.4.2 Two-Stage Precipitation
Effectively removing multiple metals from wastewater can sometimes require
two-stage treatment, with each stage operated at a different pH and/or with a different treatment
chemical to optimize the removal of metals. The minimum solubility of different metal
hydroxides occurs at different pH levels. Additionally, some metals are not effectively removed
by hydroxide precipitation but are more effectively removed by sulfide precipitation (that is the
metal sulfide has a lower solubility than the metal hydroxide). Other less common chemical
precipitants include ferric chloride and poly electrolytes. During its development of effluent
limitations guidelines and pretreatment standards for the Centralized Waste Treatment (CWT)
Point Source Category (40 CFR Part 437), EPA collected treatment performance data from
facilities that use two-stage precipitation (U.S. EPA, 2000b). A two-stage process is common at
CWT metal subcategory facilities that treat wastewater typically contaminated with multiple
metals. In the two-stage process, hydroxide precipitation is followed by sulfide precipitation,
with each stage followed by a separate solids removal step.
6-18
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Section 6.0 - Metals
6.4.3
Metals Treatment Effectiveness Concentrations
During the development of its ELGs, EPA collected performance data to
characterize the treatment technologies described above. Using the data collected for each
categorical regulation, EPA calculated long-term average (LTA) concentrations representing the
performance of the treatment technologies on each category's or subcategory's wastewater.
EPA's statistically-derived LTAs account for the normal variation of wastewater characteristics
within each category over time. Table 6-7 presents the median Form 2C mill effluent
concentrations and the LTA concentrations for metals removal technologies EPA analyzed
during the development of the CWT and MP&M ELGs (U.S. EPA, 2000b; U.S. EPA, 2003a).
Data are presented for aluminum and manganese.
Table 6-7. Aluminum and Manganese Treatment Effectiveness Concentrations, |lg/L
Aluminum
Manganese
Form2C
Pulp and Paper Mill
Effluent
(Median)
1,338
556
CWT Metals
Subcategory
2-Stage Precipitation
(Median-LTA)
856
48.7
MP&M General Metals
Subcategory
1-Stage Hydroxide Precipitation
(Median-LTA)
—
70
Source: U.S. EPA 2000b; US. EPA, 2003a)
LTA - Long-term average concentration.
— No data available from the development document. The metal was either not a pollutant of concern or data not
available.
As shown in Table 6-7, the median pulp and paper mill effluent concentrations of
aluminum and manganese are greater than the LTA effluent concentrations for two-stage
precipitation that EPA developed for the CWT regulations. Also, the concentration of
manganese is greater than the LTA effluent concentration for one-stage precipitation that EPA
calculated during the development of the MP&M regulations. This suggests that removing
aluminum and manganese from pulp and paper mill effluents using precipitation technologies
may be feasible. However, EPA has no information that precipitation technologies have been
applied on laboratory, pilot, or full scale to remove these metals from pulp and paper mill
effluents. EPA notes that using precipitation may generate large amounts of wastewater
treatment sludges, requiring disposal. Because of the very large wastewater flows at chemical
pulp mills (10 to 30 MGD), the difficulties and cost of managing these sludges make the use of
precipitation technologies infeasible.
6-19
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Section 6.0 - Metals
6.5 Pollution Prevention Strategies Available to Permit Writers for Mill-Specific
Discharge Issues
The metals concentrations in pulp and paper mill effluents are typically below
treatable levels; however, permit writers may identify mill-specific problems that require control
of metals discharges. Permit writers should use Best Professional Judgment (BPJ) to evaluate
available pollution prevention and treatment technologies when establishing the NPDES permit
limits that are required to address the mill-specific problems.
For those metals that are already in low concentrations or close to their respective
MLs, preventing the metals from entering wastewater may be more effective than removing them
from mill effluent using end-of-pipe treatment technologies. Depending on the processes at the
mill and the type of products produced, metals in mill wastewaters originate from one or more
sources: mill water supply; wood chips; chemicals used in the pulping, bleaching, and deinking
processes; additives used in paper making; or products of corrosion. Major sources of metals in
the kraft cycle are wood (calcium, potassium, manganese); make-up lime (aluminum,
magnesium, iron); and mill water supply (aluminum, iron) (Johnson, 1998). Investigators have
also identified sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide used in bleaching as major sources of mercury
(Kangas, 1996). Alum (aluminum sulfate) treatment of surface water used as the mill water
supply and in wastewater treatment as a coagulation aid is another potential source of aluminum
discharges. Some examples of mill strategies to reduce the load of metals in mill wastewaters
are described in this subsection, including mercury control case studies, mercury minimization
plans, control of chemical additives, and other strategies for in-plant metals control.
6.5.1 Mercury Control Case Studies
The SAPPI bleached papergrade kraft mill in Cloquet, MN reduced mercury
discharges through a series of pollution prevention steps. First, SAPPI analyzed feedstock
chemicals and found that products ranging from defoamers to sodium hydroxide and sulfuric
acid contained mercury. The mercury content in these products was typically not disclosed on
MSDS or certificates of analysis. After it identified these mercury sources, SAPPI switched to
mercury-free alternatives when they were available and economical. The mill has banned the
purchase of mercury-cell-grade caustic soda and lead smelter sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid from
6-20
-------
Section 6.0 - Metals
lead smelting was shown to contain as much as 10 mg/L of mercury (Kangas, 1996). The
International Paper mill in Erie, PA performed similar mercury source reduction efforts and
discontinued the purchase of caustic soda made from the mercury-cell process or any acids
manufactured from sulfur dioxide captured from smelters. These material substitution
techniques and others are presented by NCASI (NCASI, 2004).
6.5.2 Mercury Minimization Plans
The state of Wisconsin requires that discharges of inorganic mercury compounds
and metallic mercury not exceed the background level by more than 0.05 pound per 1,000,000
gallons of effluent discharged (WI Code NR 100). When industrial dischargers apply for permit
reissuance, they are required to monitor and report mercury for at least two years if they have
insufficient mercury discharge data. A facility that believes that a significant portion of the
mercury in its effluent originates from its intake of surface water is encouraged to provide results
of intake monitoring. After the monitoring data are collected, the state will accept an alternative
mercury effluent limitation application. Applications must include a pollution minimization
program plan and the facility's basis for concluding that wastewater treatment technology for
mercury is impractical (WI Code NR 106.145). Several mills are currently characterizing
baseline mercury levels.
The permit for the NewPage (formerly Mead) mill in Escanaba, MI includes a
final effluent limit for mercury and requirement for a mercury minimization plan and annual
status reports. The mercury minimization plan requires that the mill annually identify mercury-
containing materials used in manufacturing, measure mercury concentrations in streams, and
summarize actions taken to reduce mercury discharges. As a result of the mercury minimization
plan, the mill now only purchases sulfuric acid and caustic soda from prequalified suppliers. In
2003, when the mill submitted its initial mercury minimization plan, the final effluent mercury
concentration was 5.5 |J,g/L. NewPage reports that, as of 2005, discharges have declined to 2.8
Hg/L (MDEQ, 2002).
6-21
-------
Section 6.0 - Metals
6.5.3 Mill Chemical Additives
Several of the mill permits EPA reviewed include limitations on chemical
additives used at the mill, not effluent discharges. For example, the permit for Appleton Papers
in Roaring Spring, PA lists approved chemicals and daily usage rates for chemical additives used
to control corrosion, scaling, algae, slime, fouling, oxygen, and blow down. Chemicals
permitted for use are limited to the additives that were identified in the mill's permit application.
Usage rates are limited to the minimum amount necessary to accomplish the intended purposes.
The controlled additives are known to include metals such as copper II sulfate.
6.5.4 Other Strategies for In-Plant Metals Control
Other strategies for in-plant metals controls include:
Minimizing discharges of spent chemical pulping solutions (e.g., black
liquor) to the sewer. An efficiently operated chemical pulp mill collects
as much spent pulping solution as possible, routing it to the recovery cycle
for reuse in the pulping processes. Spent pulping solutions may contain
relatively high concentrations of metals because pulping solutions dissolve
metals from the wood and pulping chemicals may also contain metal
contaminants. Strategies for minimizing process losses of spent pulping
solution include efficient brownstock washing; closed brownstock
screening; and prevention of leaks, spills, and intentional diversions of
spent pulping solutions (U.S. EPA, 1993; and 1997).
Minimizing paper machine losses of fiber and additives. Common
papermaking additives include aluminum sulfate (alum) used to flocculate
pulp fibers and kaolin clay (hydrous aluminum silicate) used as a filler and
coating; thus, white water13 may contain high concentrations of soluble
and insoluble aluminum. Strategies for minimizing paper machine white
water losses include optimizing the papermaking chemistry so fiber and
additives remain on the paper sheet and are not drained with the white
water and efficiently operating the paper machine to capture and reuse the
fiber, additives, and water (U.S. EPA, 1993).
Dry removal of soil (dirt) from logs prior to debarking and chipping.
Depending on the geographic region, soils may have high concentrations
of aluminum and other metals (Johnson, 1998).
13 White water is a general term for process wastewater that contains fiber fines. White water is produced during the
forming and dewatering of the pulp or paper sheet on the paper machine. To make paper, pulp fiber and additives
are suspended in a very dilute slurry and applied to a paper machine.
6-22
-------
Section 6.0 - Metals
• Using dry disposal of green liquor14 dregs. Because manganese partitions
to the insoluble fraction (dregs) of the green liquor, a strategy to reduce
manganese discharges is to avoid sewering the dregs (Johnson, 1998).
• Using dry disposal of lime mud15. Lime (calcium hydroxide) supplies
purchased by mills can have high concentrations of aluminum and other
metals. In the recausticizing cycle, the aluminum tends to partition to the
insoluble lime muds. Dry disposal of the lime mud will reduce the
aluminum in the mill wastewater discharges (Johnson, 1998).
6.6 Detailed Study Findings for Metals
Pulp and paper mill effluents have low concentrations of metals. EPA reviewed
information available about the nine metals that account for more than 98 percent of the metals'
TWPE in pulp and paper mill discharges. Conclusions are summarized below:
The majority of the TWPE associated with metals is from aluminum,
arsenic, cadmium, total chromium, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, and
zinc. These metals contribute to over 8 percent of the PCS TWPE and
over 20 percent of the TRI TWPE.
EPA found that only for aluminum and manganese were the Form 2C
median mill effluent concentrations well above their method minimum
level concentrations. Metals concentration data available from seven mills
indicate that intake concentrations are generally similar to or higher than
effluent concentrations. Aluminum and manganese, however, are the
exceptions, with effluent concentrations higher than intake concentrations
in four of the seven mills reviewed.
EPA did not find information on effluent treatment technologies currently
in use to control metals discharges from pulp and paper mills. The NCASI
bench-scale studies researching the effectiveness of different treatment
technologies in removing metals from pulp and paper mill wastewaters did
not focus on aluminum and manganese since these two metals are not
included in the GLI water quality criteria. The reverse osmosis results,
however, included effective aluminum and manganese removals, although
this technology is considered very expensive.
14 Green liquor is dissolved recovery smelt. The green liquor solute consists mainly of sodium carbonate and
sodium sulfide. The insoluble portions of the smelt become the green liquor dregs that settle out during the
clarification process. Green liquor dregs are washed to recover alkali. They may be thickened and disposed of in a
landfill. Some mills may sewer the washed dregs.
15 Lime mud is calcium carbonate precipitated when lime is mixed with green liquor in the causticizing reaction.
Most lime mud is reburned and returned to the causticizing cycle, but some mills may sewer excess lime mud.
6-23
-------
Section 6.0 - Metals
At mills where discharges of aluminum and/or manganese (or other
metals) are below treatable levels, preventing these metals from entering
mill wastewater may reduce metals discharges. Possible pollution control
strategies for aluminum and manganese include dry disposal of green
liquor dregs and lime mud, dry removal of soil (dirt) from logs prior to
debarking and chipping, conversion from alum precipitation water
treatment to reverse osmosis treatment, minimizing paper machine losses,
and minimizing spent pulping liquor losses. Pollution control strategies
for mercury include managing the metal content of raw materials,
particularly acids and caustic.
6-24
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
7.0 POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC COMPOUNDS (PACs)
This section presents EPA's analysis of PACs discharged from pulp and paper
mills. As discussed in Section 3.3 of this report, PACs are a class of organic compounds
consisting of three or more fused aromatic (benzene) rings. The TRI program includes 21
individual compounds listed in Table 3-2, in their "PACs" chemical category. Beginning with
reporting year 2000, facilities (including pulp and paper mills) meeting certain reporting criteria
that manufacture, process or otherwise use more than 100 pounds of chemicals in the PACs
category during the calendar year were required to report to TRI the total mass of these 21
individual compounds released to the environment. Based on the pounds of PACs pulp and
paper mills reported discharging in 2002, assumptions about the identity of the chemicals
included in pulp and paper mill PACs discharges, and the TWFs EPA developed for 8 of the 21
PACs, EPA estimated in its 2005 annual screening-level review that pulp and paper mills
discharged almost 50,000 TWPE of PACs in 2002. PACs discharges represented about 2.4
percent of the total category TWPE.
7.1 Annual Loads from the 2006 Screening-Level Analyses
Pulp and paper mill discharges of PACs reported to TRI and PCS are discussed in
this subsection, followed by a brief discussion of possible sources of PACs in mill effluents.
7.1.1 PACs Discharges Reported to TRI and PCS
For TRI, facilities that manufacture, process, or use more than 100 pounds of
PACs per year must report the combined mass of PACs released; they do not report releases of
individual compounds. However, EPA has developed TWFs for individual chemical
compounds, not the PAC chemical group. As discussed in Section 3.3, using information from
NCASFs guidance for estimating PAC discharges (Wiegand, 2005b), EPA estimated how much
of each individual PAC may be present in pulp and paper mill wastewaters. Using this estimate
of wastewater PAC content and the TWFs for the individual compounds, EPA calculated a Pulp
and Paper Category PAC TWF of 34.2. In its 2005 annual screening-level review, EPA used the
TWFs published in the draft development document (December 2004 TWFs) (Eastern Research
7-1
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
Group, 2005b) and the mill-reported 2002 discharges to calculate the TWPE of pulp and paper
mill PACs discharges.
EPA slightly revised the Pulp and Paper Category PAC TWF for its 2006 annual
review. In response to comments on the TWFs used in EPA's 2005 screening-level analysis and
review of other available data, EPA developed TWFs for two additional PACs and revised TWFs
for two others (U.S. EPA, 2006b). These revisions changed the Pulp and Paper Category PAC
TWF from 34.2 to 33.7. Table 7-1 shows the results of EPA's 2005 and 2006 screening-level
reviews, with discharges broken out by regulatory phase.
PCS does not include data for PACs because NPDES permits do not include
limits for the chemical category "PACs." Permits may have limits for individual PACs, such as
benzo(a)pyrene. Only two pulp and paper mills have permit limits or other reporting
requirements for any individual PACs. The discharges reported by these mills are presented in
Table 7-2. PCS data for one mill, Domtar in Port Edwards, WI, included a monthly
benzo(a)pyrene concentration of 50 ng/L collected on November 30, 2002. Each of the other 10
measurements for 2002 and 7 measurements for 2003 included in PCS were "not detected."
7.1.2 Sources of PACs at Pulp and Paper Mills
According to EPA's TRI Guidance for Reporting Toxic Chemicals: Polycyclic
Aromatic Compounds Category (U.S. EPA, 2001), most of the 21 PACs are products of
incomplete combustion. Twelve of the 21 compounds are reported to be found in fossil fuels.
Some are also found in coal tar and coal distillates. Some PACs may be released in the air
emissions from kraft pulp mill recovery furnaces and lime kilns.
7-2
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
Table 7-1. TWPE from PAC Discharges, 2005 and 2006 Annual Screening-Level Review
Source
TRIReleases2002
2005 Annual Review
TRIReleases2002
2006 Annual Review
TRIReleases2003
2006 Annual Review
PAC
TWF
34.2a
33.7b
33.7b
Phase I
BPK
Mills
50
50
48
Released
0bs)
863
863
860
PS
Mills
1
1
1
Released
(Ibs)
20.9
20.9
20.9
Total Phase I
TWPE
30,231
29,750
29,653
Phase II
Mills
27
28
27
Released
(Ibs)
440
457
432
TWPE
15,067
15,396
14,537
Total
Phase I&II
TWPE
45,298
45,146
44,190
aTWF based on December 2004 TWFs (Eastern Research Group, Inc., 2005b).
bTWF based on April 2006 TWFs (U.S. EPA, 2006b).
BPK - Bleached papergrade kraft.
PS - Papergrade sulfite.
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
Table 7-2. Pulp and Paper Mill Measurement of Individual PACs in PCS
NPDES Permit
Number
WI0003620
LA0007901
Mill
Domtar, Port Edwards, WI
Gaylord Container Corp.,
Bogalusa, LA
PAC Chemical
Benzo(a)pyrene
Benzo(a)anthracene
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene
Benzo(b)fluoranthene
Benzo(k)fluoranthene
Benzo(a)pyrene
Benzo(a)phenanthrene (Chrysene)
Benzo(j,k)fluorene (Fluoranthene)
Benzo(a)anthracene
Ib/yr
2.4a
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Source: PCSLoads2002_v4.
aBased on a detected concentration (0.050 ng/L) in 1 of 1 1 monitoring results for 2002. Benzo(a)pyrene was not
detected in any of the seven monitoring results for 2003.
In Section 6.3 of the Preliminary Detailed Study Report (U.S. EPA, 2005b), EPA
requested information about nonbleaching sources of toxic wastewater pollutants, such as
pollutants derived from combustion-related activities, spent pulping liquor from unbleached kraft
mills, and paper machine additives and coatings. In its comments on EPA's preliminary 2006
plan (70 FR51042), NCASI stated:
PACs are known to be by-products from the combustion of coal, wood, and
petroleum products. To the extent that flue gases or combustion ashes come in
contact with wastewaters, it is possible that some PACs could be transferred to
untreated wastewaters. However, as noted in prior comments, PACs are not
commonly detected in treated final effluents from pulp and paper mills.
NCASI has not conducted a survey of the volumes of wastewater produced by
"wet" air pollution control devices and/or ash sluicing systems used by the pulp
and paper industry. We know from an engineering basis however that these
volumes would represent a very small fraction of the total effluent flow from most
mills (Wiegand, 2005i).
7-4
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
7.2 Analysis of Reported PAC Discharges
This subsection presents EPA's review of the PACs monitoring data reported by
pulp and paper mills to TRI, including a review of the data reported to TRI and data provided in
comments.
7.2.1 Review of Data Reported to TRI
TRI requires facilities to report releases if they manufacture, process, or otherwise
use more than 100 pounds per year of PACs. Mills report the mass discharged to surface waters
(for facilities discharging directly to a receiving stream) or transferred to a POTW (for indirect
dischargers). TRI does not require facilities to measure waste stream pollutant concentrations.
Instead, facilities may use emission factors, mass balances, or other engineering calculations to
estimate releases. In addition to the amount of PACs released, facilities are required to report to
TRI the method used to estimate their releases, using four code letters:
• M - Monitoring Data or Direct Measurement;
• E - Emission Factor;
• C - Mass Balance; or
• O - Other Approaches Such as Engineering Calculation.
Tables 7-3 and 7-4 list the mills that reported releases of PACs to TRI in 2002 and
2003, respectively, and the method the mills used to estimate their releases. Tables 7-3 and 7-4
reflect EPA's estimates of the releases to the environment accounting for POTW removal, as
applicable, in pounds/year and TWPE per year. For facilities that discharge to POTWs, EPA
estimated releases to the environment assuming that 92.64 percent of PACs are removed in a
POTW (U.S.EPA, 2005e).
7-5
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
Table 7-3. Mills that Reported 2002 PACs Releases to TRI
Facility
City, State
Pounds Released to
the Environment
(accounting for
POTW removal)
TWPE
Basis of
Estimate
Phase I Mills
NewPage Corp.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Alabama River Pulp Co. Inc.
Domtar Industries
International Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Bowater Inc.
Boise Cascade Corp.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Potlatch Corp.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
NewPage Corp.
Domtar Industries
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
GP Cellulose, LLC
MeadWestvaco Packaging Resources
International Paper Co.
NewPage Corp.
Simpson Tacoma Kraft Co.
Durango-Georgia Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Jefferson Smurfit Corp.
S.D. Warren Co. (SAPPI)
Blue Ridge Paper Products
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Bowater Inc.
International Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
GP Cellulose, LLC
Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.
Boise Cascade Corp.
Boise Cascade Corp.
Luke, MD
Longview, WA
Perdue Hill, AL
Ashdown, AR
Augusta, GA
Courtland, AL
Pennington, AL
Coosa Pines, AL
Deridder, LA
Camas, WA
Lewiston, ID
Plymouth, NC
Escanaba, MI
Port Edwards, WI
Clatskanie, OR
Brunswick, GA
Covington, VA
Franklin, VA
Rumford, ME
Tacoma, WA
Saint Marys, GA
Eastover, SC
Brewton, AL
Skowhegan, ME
Canton, NC
Palatka, FL
Hawesville, KY
Catawba, SC
Bastrop, LA
Cantonment, FL
Crossett, AR
New Augusta, MS
West Point, VA
Wallula, WA
Jackson, AL
93a
45
39
36
32
30
28
26
23
23
22
21
21
21
21
20
19
19
19
19
18
18
17
17
16
16
14
14
14
13
13
12
12
12
11
3,146
1,501
1,313
1,202
1,081
1,018
943
875
774
774
741
714
707
704
690
673
640
636
630
626
616
606
572
566
539
529
481
461
454
451
438
417
404
404
360
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
0
O
E
E
0
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
0
E
7-6
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
Table 7-3 (Continued)
Facility
International Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Domtar Industries Inc.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Lincoln Pulp & Paper Co. Inc.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Appleton Papers Inc.
Boise Cascade Corp.
Sappi Fine Paper North America
Fraser Papers Inc.
Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.
City, State
Quinnesec, MI
Columbus, MS
Vanceboro, NC
Nekoosa, WI
Port Wentworth, GA
Bennettsville, SC
Old Town, ME
Lincoln, ME
Oglethorpe, GA
King sport, TN
Pine Bluff, AR
Roaring Spring, PA
Saint Helens, OR
Cloquet, MN
Berlin, NH
Panama City, FL
Pounds Released to
the Environment
(accounting for
POTW removal)
10
10
10
9
9
9
8
6
6
5
4
3
la
r
0
oa
TWPE
338
337
330
313
310
296
259
205
202
168
128
94
42
22
13
6
Basis of
Estimate
O
E
E
E
E
0
E
E
O
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
Phase II Mills
Groveton Paper Board Inc.
Monadnock Paper Mills Inc.
SP Newsprint Co. Newberg Mill
Long view Fibre Co.
International Paper Co.
Daishowa America Co. Ltd.
Packaging Corp. Of America Counce Mill
MeadWestvaco North Charleston Ops.
Gaylord Container Corp.
Inland Paperboard & Packaging Inc.
International Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Jefferson Smurfit Corp.
Inland Paperboard & Packaging Inc.
International Paper Co.
Stone Container Corp.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Stone Container Corp.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Packaging Corp. Of America
Groveton, NH
Bennington, NH
Newberg, OR
Longview, WA
Prattville, AL
Port Angeles, WA
Counce, TN
North Charleston, SC
Bogalusa, LA
Orange, TX
Savannah, GA
Pine Hill, AL
Femandina Beach, FL
Rome, GA
Roanoke Rapids, NC
Florence, SC
Campti, LA
Missoula, MT
Valliant, OK
Clyattville, GA
149
35
31
29
20
20
17
17
13
13
12
11
10
10
9
8
8
7
7
7
5,023
1,178
1,037
976
673
670
572
569
438
438
404
370
334
327
303
273
263
246
242
236
M
0
E
E
E
E
0
E
O
0
E
E
O
0
E
E
E
E
E
7-7
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
Table 7-3 (Continued)
Facility
Wausau-Mosinee Paper Corp.
International Paper Co.
Stone Container Corp.
Packaging Corp. Of America
Wausau Papers Of New Hampshire Inc.
Great Southern Paper Co.
Stone Container Corp.
International Paper Co.
City, State
Mosinee, WI
Pineville, LA
Hodge, LA
Tomahawk, WI
Groveton, NH
Cedar Springs, GA
Hopewell, VA
Kaukauna, WI
Pounds Released to
the Environment
(accounting for
POTW removal)
6
5
5
4
2
2
la
0
TWPE
195
168
164
128
73
67
20
10
Basis of
Estimate
E
0
E
E
E
0
E
E
a Accounts for POTW removals.
7-S
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
Table 7-4. Mills that Reported 2003 PACs Releases to TRI
Facility
City, State
Pounds Released to the
Environment
(accounting for POTW
removal
TWPE
Basis of
Estimate
Phase I Mills
NewPage Corp.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co
Alabama River Pulp Co Inc
Domtar Industries Inc
International Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Boise Cascade Corp.
Potlatch Corp
Bowaterlnc.
NewPage Corp.
Jefferson Smurfit Corp.
Domtar Industries Inc.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
MeadWestvaco Packaging Resources
International Paper Co.
Simpson Tacoma Kraft Co
International Paper Co.
GP Cellulose LLC
NewPage Corp
International Paper Co.
S.D. Warren (SAPPI)
Blue Ridge Paper Products
Bowaterlnc.
NewPage Corp.
International Paper Co
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
GP Cellulose LLC
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co
Boise Cascade Corp.
Luke, MD
Longview, WA
Perdue Hill, AL
Ashdown, AR
Courtland, AL
Augusta, GA
Pennington, AL
Plymouth, NC
Camas, WA
Deridder, LA
Lewiston, ID
Catawba, SC
Escanaba, MI
Brewton, AL
Port Edwards, WI
Clatskanie, OR
Covington, VA
Franklin, VA
Tacoma, WA
Eastover, SC
Brunswick, GA
Rumford, ME
Georgetown, SC
Skowhegan, ME
Canton, NC
Coosa Pines, AL
Wickliffe, KY
Bastrop, LA
Crossett, AR
Palatka, FL
New Augusta, MS
Hawesville, KY
Wallula, WA
89a
47
45
37
31
31
28
23
23
23
22
21
21
21
21
20
20
20
19
19
19
19
17
16
16
16
16
14
14
14
13
12
12
2,998
1,576
1,515
1,246
1,051
1,030
953
788
774
774
741
707
707
707
704
680
673
667
646
640
640
633
560
549
542
539
539
475
471
471
421
407
404
M
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
O
E
E
E
E
O
E
0
E
E
E
E
E
O
7-9
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
Table 7-4 (Continued)
Facility
Smurfit-Stone Container Corp
Boise Cascade Corp
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Co
Fort James Operating Co
Weyerhaeuser Co Kingsport Paper Mill
Weyerhaeuser Co.
International Paper Co
Appleton Papers Inc Spring Mill
Fraser Papers Inc.
Boise Cascade Corp
Sappi Fine Paper North America
Smurfit-Stone Container Corp
City, State
West Point, VA
Jackson, AL
Vanceboro, NC
Bennettsville, SC
Columbus, MS
Quinnesec, MI
Port Wentworth, GA
Old Town, ME
Kingsport, TN
Oglethorpe, GA
Pine Bluff, AR
Roaring Spring, PA
Berlin, NH
Saint Helens, OR
Cloquet, MN
Panama City, FL
Pounds Released to the
Environment
(accounting for POTW
removal
12
11
11
10
10
10
9
7
6
6
4
3
2
la
la
Oa
TWPE
404
370
367
337
337
330
306
232
202
192
125
94
61
42
22
6
Basis of
Estimate
E
E
E
0
E
0
E
E
E
O
E
E
E
E
E
E
Phase H Mills
Groveton Paper Board Inc
SP Newsprint Co
Longview Fibre Co
International Paper Co.
Nippon Paper Industries (formerly Daisohwa)
MeadWestvaco North Charleston Operations
Inland Paperboard & Packaging Inc
Packaging Corp Of America Counce Mill
Inland Paperboard & Packaging Inc
Gaylord Container Corp
International Paper Co
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Jefferson Smurfit Corp
International Paper
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co
Stone Container Corp
Packaging Corp Of America
Groveton, NH
Newberg, OR
Longview, WA
Prattville, AL
Port Angeles, WA
North Charleston, SC
Rome, GA
Counce, TN
Orange, TX
Bogalusa, LA
Savannah, GA
Pine Hill, AL
Femandina Beach, FL
Roanoke Rapids, NC
Campti, LA
Florence, SC
Clyattville, GA
149
31
30
20
19
18
17
15
15
12
12
12
10
10
8
8
8
5,016
1,040
1,010
673
650
589
572
505
498
404
404
391
350
337
279
273
269
M
E
E
E
E
E
O
0
O
E
0
E
E
O
E
E
E
7-10
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
Table 7-4 (Continued)
Facility
Stone Container Corp
International Paper Co.
Wausau-Mosinee Paper Corp
International Paper Co.
Stone Container Corp.
Packaging Corp Of America
Great Southern Paper Co
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co
Stone Container Corp
International Paper Co.
City, State
Missoula, MT
Mansfield, LA
Mosinee, WI
Pineville, LA
Hodge, LA
Tomahawk, WI
Cedar Springs, GA
Springfield, OR
Hopewell, VA
Kaukauna, WI
Pounds Released to the
Environment
(accounting for POTW
removal
8
8
6
5
4
4
2
1
la
0
TWPE
263
254
189
168
146
128
67
30
18
13
Basis of
Estimate
E
E
E
0
E
E
O
E
E
E
aAccounts for POTW removals.
7-11
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
As listed in Table 7-3, 79 mills reported to TRI discharging PACs in 2002 (51
Phase I and 28 Phase II mills). Of these 79 mills, only two indicated that their reported
discharges were based on monitoring data or direct measurement. As presented in Table 7-6,
these two mills did not detect any PACs in their discharges. Never the less, they estimated their
releases based on a fraction of the detection limit, and these estimated releases were greater than
the releases reported by any other mills in the category. The mill with the largest reported PAC
release to receiving streams is the Groveton paperboard mill in Groveton, NH. It reported
releasing 149 pounds in 2002, approximately 5,000 TWPE. The mill with the second largest
PAC release to receiving streams is MeadWestvaco, an indirect discharging Phase I mill in Luke,
MD. MeadWestvaco reported transferring 1,270 pounds of PACs to its POTW. After
accounting for POTW removal, EPA estimated that the release to the receiving streams from the
MeadWestvaco mill was 93 pounds, approximately 3,100 TWPE.
As shown in Table 7-4, 76 mills reported discharging PACs in 2003 (49 Phase I
and 27 Phase II mills). As in 2002, only two facilities, the Groveton Paperboard, Groveton, NH
and MeadWestvaco Luke, MD mills indicated that their reported releases were based on
monitoring data or direct measurement. Again, even though the mills did not detect any PACs,
they estimated their releases based on a fraction of the detection limit, and thus their reported
releases were greater than the releases from any other mills in the category.
Table 7-5 summarizes the methods mills used to estimate their reported PAC
releases. More than 75 percent of mills reported using emission factors to estimate their releases.
7-12
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
Table 7-5. Number of Mills Reporting PAC TRI Estimation Techniques for Reporting
Years 2002 and 2003
Engineering Calculations (O)
Direct Measurement (M)
Emission Factor (E)
Mass Balance (C)
No estimate provided a
Total Number of Reported Releases
TWReleases2002_v4
Number
15
2
60
-
2
79
Percent
19%
3%
76%
-
3%
TRIReleases2003_v2
Number
14
2
59
-
1
76
Percent
18%
3%
78%
-
1%
"Some mills did not report how they estimated their release.
To better understand pulp and paper TRI PAC estimating techniques, NCASI
contacted a total of 12 Phase I and Phase II mills reporting PAC discharges to TRI. Discharges
from these mills represent 40 percent of the reported 2002 PACs discharges. Table 7-6 presents
the information about these mills that NCASI provided to EPA (Wiegand, 2005a). Nine of the
12 mills for which NCASI obtained information estimated their discharges based on emission
factors contained in the SARA Handbook. The three other mills estimated releases based on
results of chemical analysis of their wastewater (two, discussed earlier, reported to TRI that they
used monitoring data to estimate their releases; the third, Monadnock Paper, reported to TRI that
it used other approaches such as engineering calculations). For the three mills that estimated
their releases based on chemical analysis (Groveton, MeadWestvaco, and Monadnock),
concentrations of all PAC compounds were less than laboratory detection limits. However,
following TRI guidance, the mills used a fraction of the detection limit to estimate a pollutant
mass discharged for TRI.
7-13
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
Table 7-6. PAC Releases to Water Reported in TRI by 12 Mills for Reporting Year 2002
Facility and Location
Groveton Paper Board, Inc.,
Groveton, NH (Phase II)
NewPage Corp (was
MeadWestvaco)., Luke, MD
(Phase I)
Alabama River Pulp Co. Inc.,
Perdue Hill, AL (Phase I)
Domtar Industries, Ashdown,
AR (Phase I)
Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc.,
Bennington, NH (Phase II)
International Paper, Augusta,
GA (Phase I)
SP Newsprint Co., Newberg,
OR (Phase II)
International Paper Co.,
Courtland, AL (Phase I)
Longview Fibre, Longview,
OR (Phase II)
International Paper Co.,
Prattville, AL (Phase II)
Daishowa America (now
Nippon), Port Angeles, WA
(Phase II)
Packaging Corporation of
America, Counce, TN (Phase
II)
Basis for Report
Mill believes it produces PACs in semi-chemical liquor combustion
kiln that is fitted with a wet scrubber. Treated effluent analysis for 10
PACs made in conjunction with anNPDES permit application showed
all PACs analyzed (10 compounds) were not detected at 5 ppb. Mill
used 1 ppb for all analyzed PACs as the basis for reporting (Wiegand,
2005e).
Mill used annual priority pollutant scan for which 8 PACs were
reported to be not detected at a detection limit of 5.0 ppb. Mill used
1/2 of detection limit for reporting (Wiegand, 2005 f).
Mill usedNCASI factors (Wiegand, 2005a).
Mill usedNCASI factors (Wiegand, 2005a).
Mill used 1A of the detection limit for reporting. Mill subsequently
concluded that PACs should not be present in effluent and therefore
did not report release of PACs to water for the 2003 reporting year
(Wiegand, 2005b).
Mill used NCASI factors. Mill has since identified an error in the
calculation and will be filing a correction (Wiegand, 2005a).
Mill usedNCASI factors (Wiegand, 2005a).
Mill usedNCASI factors (Wiegand, 2005a).
Mill usedNCASI factors (Wiegand, 2005a).
Mill usedNCASI factors (Wiegand, 2005a).
Mill usedNCASI factors (Wiegand, 2005a).
Mill usedNCASI factors (Wiegand, 2005a).
Annual
Wastewater Flow
(MGY)
1,788.5
7,641.3
14,288.7 (kraft)
1,768.0 (IMP)
20,121
Not provided
Not provided
4,716
17,045.9
15,900
11,400
3,022
9,136
Effluent Concentration
Used for Reporting
(jig/L - unless
otherwise stated)
10 ppb (1 ppb for each
of 10 PACs)
20 ppb (2.5 ppb for each
of 8 PACs)
0.2 13 (kraft)
0.789 (IMP)
0.213
Not provided
Not provided
0.789
0.213
0.213
0.213
0.789
0.213
Release to
Water
Reported
(Ib/yr)
149.2
1,269.5
(transferred to
POTW)
39
35.7
35
32.1
30.8
30.24
29
20
19.89
17
Source: (Wiegand, 2005a)
TMP - Thermo-mechanical pulp.
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
7.2.2
Data Provided With Comments
NCASI and International Paper included additional information about the
concentrations of PACs in pulp and paper mill effluents in their comments on the 2006
Preliminary Plan. NCASI noted that it had previously provided EPA with the data that form the
basis of the emission factor presented in its SARA Handbook (these data are reproduced as Table
3-3). NCASI further noted that those data were derived from a 1990 Canadian study and also
provided data from a newer Canadian study, which compiled data generated between 1998 and
2003. NCASI provided the results of treated effluent analysis for 15 individual PACs using
Quebec Ministry of Environment Method MA.400-HPA 1.0 or equivalent. Method MA.400-
HPA 1.0 is a high resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometer method for the detection of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (QCEAE, 2003). These newer data, which show that no
analytical result was above the method detection limit, are presented in Table 7-7.
Table 7-7. Summary of Treated Effluent PAC Data Collected at 23 Quebec Pulp and
Paper Mills
PAC Compound
5 -Methy Ichry sene
Benzo(a)anthracene
Benzo(a)phenanthrene (chrysene)
Benzo(a)pyrene
Benzo(b)fluoranthene
Benzo(j)fluoranthene
Benzo(j,k)fluorene (fluoranthene)
B enzo (k)fluoranthene
Benzo(r,s,t)pentaphene
Dibenz(a,h)acridine
Dibenzo(a,e)pyrene
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene
Dibenzo(a,h)pyrene
Dibenzo(a,l)pyrene
Indeno( 1,2,3 -cd)pyrene
Number of
Detects
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Number of
Analyses
28
27
27
27
81
81
28
81
29
28
29
29
29
29
29
Minimum
MDL
Hg/L
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.004
0.03
0.03
0.02
0.03
0.06
0.1
0.08
0.02
0.04
0.08
0.01
Maximum
MDL
fig/L
0.6
2
2
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2
0.4
0.2
Source: NCASI comments on Preliminary 2006 Effluent Guidelines Plan (Wiegand, 2005i).
MDL - Method detection limit.
7-15
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
NCASI provided the following description of the collection of the data presented
in Table 7-7:
Effluent PAC data for 23 direct discharging mills in Quebec were generated
between 1998 and 2003 as part of the Industrial Waste Reduction Program
(Programme de reduction des rejets industriels, or PRRI) of the Ministere du
Developpement durable, de I'Environnement et des Pares du Quebec (MDDEP).
Mills chosen for testing were those operating a sulfate [kraft] pulping process, a
liquor recovery furnace, and/or a biomass-fired boiler.
Samples of final treated process effluent were collected as composites of 192
aliquots per day of >50 mL each collected either at a fixed or a flow-proportional
frequency. The samples were analyzed for 15 individual PACs using method
MA.400-HPA 1.0 or an equivalent method approved by the Quebec
Environmental Analysis Centre of Expertise (Centre d'expertise en analyse
environnementale du Quebec). All PACs included in Table 5 of NCASI's SARA
Handbook were analyzed (Wiegand, 2005i).
International Paper (IP) noted in its comments that monitoring data from NPDES
permit applications (Form 2Cs) do not substantiate PACs as a significant concern in pulp and
paper mill effluents. To support this assertion, IP provided specific PAC NPDES application
data for 20 IP mills. For the eight specific compounds that EPA used to develop its pulp and
paper PAC TWF, the analytical monitoring data were below the level of detection. Table 7-8
summarizes the data provided by IP (with the exception of data from one mill for which IP could
not verify the units of measure) (Lynn, 2005b).
Table 7-8. Summary of NPDES Permit Application Data, International Paper Mills
PAC Compound
Benzo(a)anthracene
Benzo(a)phenanthrene (chrysene)
Benzo(a)pyrene
Benzo(b)fluoranthene
Benzo(j,k)fluorene (fluoranthene)
B enzo (k)fluoranthene
Dibenz(a,h)anthracene
Indeno( 1,2,3 -cd)pyrene
Number of
Detects
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Number of
Analyses"
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
Minimum
MDL
(WS/L)
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
Maximum
MDL
(»g/L)
10
10
10
10
10
10
20
20
Source: International Paper Comment (Lynn 2005b).
aSix mills of the 19 mills did not provide detection limits but indicated only "ND:
MDL - Method detection limit.
7-16
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
7.3 Detailed Study Findings on PACs
Pulp and paper mills reported wastewater discharges containing PACs to TRI in
2002 and 2003. EPA reviewed information available about these reported pulp and paper mill
PAC discharges. Conclusions are summarized below:
Using TRI data as reported (and accounting for POTW removals), EPA
estimated that Phase I and Phase II pulp and paper mills released 1,341
and 1,313 pounds of PACs to surface water in 2002 and 2003,
respectively.
EPA calculated the TWPE of PACs released from pulp and paper mills
using a TWF developed for pulp and paper industry discharges. EPA
developed this TWF based on data NCASI used to develop an industry
PAC emission factor. EPA then used this TWF along with TRI data to
estimate the TWPE associated with PAC discharges in 2002 and 2003.
These equate to 45,146 TWPE of PACs in 2002 and 44,190 TWPE of
PACs in 2003.
For TRI reporting year 2002, 79 out of 257 Phase I and Phase II pulp and
paper mills reported releasing PACs to POTWs or surface water. EPA
determined that according to basis-of-estimate codes provided in TRI,
most of the reported releases were not based on measured concentrations
in mill effluents. At the three mills where effluent concentrations of PACs
were measured, they were not detected; however, these mills estimated
releases using a fraction of the analytical detection limit and mill effluent
flow rate.
Only two pulp and paper mills have permit limits or other reporting
requirements for any individual PACs. One of the two facilities detected
benzo(a)pyrene at a concentration of 50 ng/L (0.050 ng/L) in one out of
eleven measurements. Each of the other 10 measurements of
benzo(a)pyrene for 2002 included in PCS were reported as "not detected."
With the exception of the one PCS benzo(a)pyrene measurement, EPA
identified no monitoring data showing that PACs were measured above
detection limits in the discharges of any pulp and paper mill reporting
PACs releases to TRI in 2002 or 2003.
NCASI provided data from 23 Quebec kraft mills, generated between
1998 and 2003, showing that, for 15 individual PACs, no analytical result
was above the method detection limit.
7-17
-------
Section 7.0 - Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)
• International Paper provided specific PAC NPDES permit application
(Form 2C) data for 20 International Paper mills. International Paper found
that, for all of the data collected, the analytical monitoring data were
below the level of detection for the eight specific PACs that EPA used to
develop its TWF for PACs.
Therefore, EPA concludes that there is little evidence that PACs are present in
concentrations above method detection levels in pulp and paper mill wastewater discharges.
7-18
-------
Section 8.0- Nutrients
8.0 NUTRIENTS
In EPA's initial analysis of wastewater discharges of nutrients (i.e., nitrogen and
phosphorus) for all point source categories conducted in 2005, the Pulp and Paper Category
ranked third in total annual nitrogen load (Ib/yr) and first in total annual phosphorus load (Ib/yr)
(Eastern Research Group, Inc., 2005c). However, the Pulp and Paper Category ELGs do not
include limitations or standards for any nutrient parameters. For this reason, as part of its 2006
annual review, EPA further investigated pulp and paper mill discharges to determine whether it
should, at this time, revise the category ELGs to address nutrient discharges.
This section presents a brief overview of nutrients and their impacts on receiving
streams. It describes the methodology EPA used to calculate nitrogen and phosphorus loads
using 2002 PCS data and possible limitations of these data. It also discusses sources of nutrients
in pulp and paper mill effluents and available nutrient control strategies.
8.1 Nutrients and their Impacts on Receiving Water
Nutrients are elements that promote plant growth when added to aquatic or soil
systems. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur are the six elements
that make up the macronutrient category. Of these, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are
typically present in the environment in lower concentrations than is necessary for optimal plant
growth. For this reason, these elements are the main ingredients in agricultural and garden
fertilizers. Phosphorus has been identified as the growth-limiting nutrient16 in freshwater
ecosystems, particularly lakes, and for this reason, the sale of phosphate-containing detergents
was banned in many states in the 1970s. Nitrogen is the growth-limiting nutrient in other
ecosystems, particularly saline systems such as estuaries, the Chesapeake Bay, and Gulf of
Mexico. Excess nutrients in the aquatic environment lead to excessive, unbalanced plant growth,
both of phytoplankton17 and periphyton18. Although eutrophication is a natural process by which
lakes age and support more plant life, excess nutrient discharges accelerate eutrophi cation,
leading to oxygen depletion and degradation of water quality.
16 The growth-limiting nutrient in an ecosystem is present in low proportion relative to other required nutrients.
Growth is limited by the amount of this low-concentration nutrient present in the system.
Phytoplankton are free-floating microalgae.
Periphyton is a complex matrix of algae and heterotrophic microbes attached to submerged substrata.
8-1
-------
Section 8.0- Nutrients
Nitrogen and phosphorus occur in organic forms (that is, as part of carbon-
containing macromolecules) and inorganic forms. Although bacteria can metabolize both
organic and inorganic forms of nutrients, the organic forms must first be biologically or
chemically degraded to inorganic forms before they are available to plants. Thus, excessive
discharges of inorganic nutrients can lead to immediate eutrophication of receiving waters while
excessive discharges of organic nutrients can lead to eutrophi cation in downstream receiving
waters. For example, discharges of organic nitrogen in the Chesapeake Bay watershed can be
biodegraded during transport to the Bay (or during their residence in the Bay) and lead to
excessive algae growth.
NCASI (NCASI, 2001) identified the sources and forms of nitrogen and
phosphorus nutrients that could be found in pulp and paper mill treatment systems, presented in
abbreviated form in Table 8-1.
Table 8-1. Some Nitrogen and Phosphorus Sources in Treatment Systems
Nitrogen (Total N)
Organic N
Microbial Cells
Lignin
Process Additives
Urea (CO(NH2)2)
Inorganic N
Ammonium nitrate,
Ammonium hydroxide
Liquid ammonia (NH3)
Ammonium sulfate
Nitrate (HNO3)
Phosphorus (Total P)
Organic P
Microbial Cells
Lignin
Process Additives
Inorganic P
Orthophosphates:
e.g., Na3P04,
Na2HPO4
Polyphosphates:
e.g., Na3(P03)6,
Na5P3010
Source: NCASI Technical Bulletin 832. (NCASI, 2001).
8.2
Nutrients Data in PCS
As discussed in Section 2.1 of this report, PCS contains permit-required
monitoring data for direct dischargers that are considered major sources. Each mill's NPDES
permit specifies what pollutants to monitor, in what discharge pipe, and at what frequency.
Depending on state requirements and factors specific to the receiving water body and
discharging facility, permit writers require monitoring for various forms of nutrients. Permits
8-2
-------
Section 8.0- Nutrients
may require monitoring only, or may limit the concentration and/or load discharged on a daily,
monthly, or annual average basis.
Table 8-2 lists the nutrient parameters for which pulp and paper mills are required
to monitor, the number of mills reporting that parameter, and the pounds discharged by all
facilities in the Pulp and Paper Category. As shown in this table, mills are required to monitor
for inorganic forms of nitrogen (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite), organic nitrogen, and total nitrogen.
For reporting year 2002, PCS includes discharge data for 252 Phase I and Phase II mills. A
similar number of mills (257) reported surface water and/or POTW discharges to TRI. In
comparison, relatively few mills are required to report nutrient discharges.
Table 8-2. Nutrient Parameter Discharges Reported to PCS 2002 by Pulp and Paper Mills
PCS
Parameter
Code
PCS Parameter Description
Number of Mills
Reporting
Discharges
Total Annual Pounds
Discharged
Nitrogen Compounds
00600
00605
00615
00620
00625
00630
71850
71855
AMMONb
Nb
Nitrogen, Total (As N)
Nitrogen, Organic Total (As N)
Nitrogen, Nitrite Total (As N)
Nitrogen, Nitrate Total (As N)
Nitrogen, Kjeldahl Total (As N)a
Nitrite Plus Nitrate Total Det. (As N)
Nitrogen, Nitrate Total (As NO3)
Nitrogen, Nitrite Total (As NO2)
Ammonia As NH3, NH4, or Unionized Ammonia
Ammonia As N
14
3
2
7
21
10
2
1
8
65
3,460,000
318,000
452
12,100
2,900,000
1,130,000
1,080
414
184,000
2,980,000
Phosphorus Compounds
PHOSPb
PO4b
Phosphorus
Phosphate
86
2
2,860,000
6,346
aTotal Kjeldahl nitrogen is a measure of the reduced forms of nitrogen in surface water, principally, ammonium and
amino forms of organic nitrogen.
bParameter code developed specifically for PCSLoads databases.
Permit writers require monitoring of the final process wastewater effluent
discharged to the receiving stream. They may also require monitoring of internal monitoring
points, such as an acid sewer or wood yard sewer that are ultimately combined with the final
effluent. Permit writers may also require monitoring of stormwater flows. Some of these flows
8-3
-------
Section 8.0- Nutrients
are runoff from the mill process area or raw material storage areas and others are runoff from
nonprocess areas of the mill, such as a parking lot. Stormwater flows may be continuous or
intermittent. Monitoring may be required periodically (e.g., once a month) or after a storm
event. PCS includes a pipe number that is used in the permit (e.g., 001) and sometimes also
includes a description of the pipe (e.g., discharge to river). PCS also includes a designation of
discharges that are final effluent, though the use of this designator is inconsistent.
8.2.1 PCS Nutrient Monitoring Data
As discussed briefly in Section 2.1 of this report and in detail in the Screening-
Level Analysis Report (U.S. EPA, 2005a), EPA retrieved 2002 discharge data from PCS and used
the Effluent Data Statistics (EDS) mainframe computer program to estimate annual pollutant
loads. EDS uses discharges from pipes designated as final effluent. EDS calculations are based
on the assumption that discharges are continuous: 24 hours/day and 365 days/year, an
assumption that can result in overestimating loads from periodic and intermittent discharges.
For the development of the PCSLoads2002 database and its nutrients analysis,
EPA combined several parameters into four groupings with the following codes: AMMON, N,
PHOSP, and PO4. AMMON includes various forms of ammonia, ammonium, and unionized
ammonia. N includes ammonia nitrogen (total as N) and unionized ammonia (total as N).
PHOSP includes total phosphorus (as P), while PO4 includes total phosphate (as P) and total
phosphate (as PO4). See Memorandum: Point Source Category Rankings by Nitrogen and
Phosphorus Loads Calculated Using PCS Data, (Eastern Research Group, Inc., 2005c) for a
complete discussion of the parameter groupings.
8.2.2 Accounting for Nutrient Discharges Reported in Multiple Forms
To compare the discharges of many facilities and categories, EPA converted the
pounds of each reported nutrient, based on its molecular weight, to total nitrogen (N) or to total
phosphorus (P). As shown in Table 8-2, facilities may be required to report nutrient discharges
in multiple forms. For example, they may be required to report total nitrogen, total Kjeldahl
nitrogen (TKN), and ammonia. Because TKN includes ammonia (and organic nitrogen) and
total nitrogen includes TKN and ammonia, adding the nitrogen content of the three parameters
8-4
-------
Section 8.0- Nutrients
would double- and triple-count the facility's discharge load. To avoid potential double-counting,
EPA developed a hierarchy for adding the parameter loads. The methodology used to convert
reported loads to elemental nutrient basis and to add the loads to avoid double- and triple-
counting is presented in detail in Memorandum: Point Source Category Rankings by Nitrogen
and Phosphorus Loads Calculated Using 2002 PCS Data (Eastern Research Group, Inc. 2005c).
Combining the reported discharges to elemental nutrient basis simplifies the
analysis of nutrient discharges; however, because organic and inorganic forms of the nutrients
are not distinguished, information about the relative "eutrophication potential" of the nutrient
discharges is lost.
8.3
2005 Nutrient Annual Review
For its 2005 annual review of categories with existing ELGs, in addition to the
screening-level review based on TWPE, EPA calculated total N and total P, by category, and
ranked the categories. See Memorandum: Point Source Category Rankings by Nitrogen and
Phosphorus Loads Calculated Using 2002 PCS Data (Eastern Research Group, Inc. 2005c) for
the full list of category rankings. Table 8-3 presents the results for the Pulp and Paper Category.
This category ranked third in total pounds of nitrogen discharged and first in total pounds of
phosphorus discharged. However, because of the large number of facilities reporting, the Pulp
and Paper Category ranked lower in discharges per facility: twelfth in pounds of nitrogen
discharged per facility and seventh in pounds of phosphorus discharged per facility.
Table 8-3. 2005 Screening-Level Analysis of Nutrient Loads Discharged by the Pulp and
Paper Category
Total Nitrogen
Total Phosphorus
# Facilities
Reporting
Loads
87
87
Total Annual
Load (Ib/yr)
8,260,000
2,860,000
Category
Rank
(total Ibs)
3
1
Average Load per
Facility (Ib/yr)
95,000
33,000
Category
Rank
(Ib/facility)
12
7
Source: Eastern Research Group, Inc., 2005c.
3-5
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Section 8.0- Nutrients
EPA received comments on the 2005 pulp and paper nutrients annual review from
NCASI (Unwin, 2006). No other commenters discussed the nutrients data. After reviewing the
results of the 2005 nutrients review, NCASI examined the underlying data and reported that it:
"... did a detailed check of the top 20 highest load mills for both N and P. We
also did a detailed check for any mill where the aggregate load was calculated by
adding together loads from multiple discharge points. ...
"We found that for several mills, nutrient loads in non-process discharges (usually
stormwater) were included in the aggregate load calculation. In fact, we found
that such loads were always included when they existed in the database, perhaps
indicating that the inclusion was intentional....
"We found double counting of loads for some mills. This occurred because some
permits require reporting of the same data for individual discharge points and also
for combinations of the individual discharges. Thus, the PCS contains reports for
the same discharge in two different pipes. The EDS program apparently did not
always recognize this situation so loadings were calculated for both reports then
combined to produce the aggregate load, thereby double counting some loads."
8.4 2006 Nutrient Annual Review
EPA continued its review of nutrient discharges during its 2006 annual review.
EPA's 2006 annual review included a quality check of the nitrogen and phosphorus pollutant
loads that EPA estimated during the 2005 annual review. This section discusses the quality
checks of nutrient discharges from all categories, the reviews EPA conducted of pulp and paper
mill discharges, and EPA's evaluation of the limitations of the quality of the nutrient loads in
PCSLoads2002.
8.4.1 Contacts with Nutrient Dischargers
EPA conducted "reasonableness checks" of its nutrient loads estimates. First,
EPA identified facilities with anomalous discharge loads of total N and total P. For the eight
categories with the highest total N or total P loads, EPA identified a facility's load as anomalous
if it contributed more than 20 percent total N or total P for an entire point source category.
Additionally, for these eight categories, EPA also reviewed the calculated loads for the
individual parameters listed in Table 8-2, again identifying a facility's load as anomalous if it
contributed more than 20 percent of the category load of the individual pollutant. In addition to
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Section 8.0- Nutrients
reviewing data from facilities that contributed more than 20 percent of total N or total P for their
category, EPA also reviewed the calculated loads for the facility with the largest discharge of the
individual parameters.
For the Pulp and Paper Category, EPA reviewed the nutrient loads calculated for
two facilities, Brunswick Cellulose, Brunswick, GA and Georgia-Pacific, Big Island, VA. EPA
reviewed the NPDES permits for these mills and contacted corporate and mill staff to verify pipe
descriptions and monitoring requirements. Table 8-4 presents the results of these reviews.
Table 8-4. Review of Nitrogen Loads Discharged by Brunswick Cellulose, Brunswick, GA
and Georgia-Pacific, Big Island, VA
Mill
Brunswick
Cellulose
(formerly Georgia-
Pacific, now GP
Cellulose)
Brunswick, GA
GA0003654
Georgia-Pacific,
Big Island, VA
VA0003026
Reason Selected for
Review
Total N Load, 1.35
million Ibs (all TKN)
represented 16% of the
Pulp and Paper Category.
Nitrite + Nitrate load,
580,000 Ibs represented
51% of the Pulp and
Paper Category, but G-P
said it did not monitor its
outfall for nitrate.
Findings from Review
Pipe labels and descriptions in PCS
did not match current mill permit.
For 2002, discharges in winter months
were continuous (outfall 002).
Discharges for rest of year were based
on tides. PCS was missing discharge
data for two months in 2002. Mill
provided complete, corrected 2002
discharges.
EDS incorrectly assumed each outfall
was in continuous operation and
estimated loads where data were
unavailable.
Pipe labels from mill permit indicated
that nitrate discharges are associated
with landfill leachate and stormwater
from nonprocess areas.
Changes to
PCSLoads2002
TKN load reduced
from 1.35 million
Ibs to 436,000 Ib,
6% of the Pulp and
Paper Category
total N load.
Nitrite + nitrate
load was deleted
because it did not
derive from mill
process operations.
Source: Wolford, 2006; VDEQ, 2005.
8.4.2
Consideration of Public Comments During Annual Review
EPA also reviewed the information NCASI provided in its March 20, 2006
memorandum (Unwin, 2006). As explained in Section 8.3, NCASI suggested that stormwater
discharges should not be included in the calculated total mill nutrient discharges. However, 40
CFR 430.01(m) explicitly defines process wastewater to include, among other things
8-7
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Section 8.0- Nutrients
"stormwaters from the immediate process areas to the extent that they are mixed and cotreated
with other process wastewaters..." After reviewing the NCASI comments and information
available in PCS, EPA determined that identifying which stormwater outfalls contain
stormwaters from the immediate process areas is not feasible using the information contained in
PCS.
Other NCASI comments indicated that some discharges included in the
calculation of total N and total P were from internal monitoring points (e.g., "woodroom sewer,"
"pipe 098 renumbered as 002") that were also included in the mill final effluent resulting in
double-counting of these loads. EPA determined that identifying which internal monitoring
discharges were included in the final mill discharge is also not feasible using the information
contained in PCS.
Because approximately 87 pulp and paper mills reported nutrient discharges to
PCS, and PCS does not contain information to address NCASFs concerns, EPA did not complete
an assessment of the NCASI comments or review of nutrient discharges during the 2006 annual
review. As a result, EPA acknowledges that NCASI's concerns may be valid and may lead to
overestimates of nutrient discharges for some facilities.
8.4.3 Nutrients Analysis Data Quality Review
During the 2006 annual review, EPA analyzed the methodologies it used to
calculate nutrient loads from PCS discharge data and reviewed the completeness and accuracy of
nutrients data reported to PCS (Bicknell, 2006). EPA reviewed nutrient loads calculated for all
categories, including the Pulp and Paper Category. Although EPA found that its calculation
methodologies and the quality of nutrients data reported to PCS may lead to some inaccuracies,
EPA concluded it used the best available data and calculation methodologies to estimate nutrient
annual discharge loads. EPA further concluded that the approach it used to calculate nutrient
annual loads was reasonable for its screening-level analysis because EPA conducts a more
detailed analysis of categories that rank high in nutrient discharge loads during its detailed
investigations.
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Section 8.0- Nutrients
EPA's analysis of calculation methodologies demonstrated that its methodology
may overestimate some loads while PCS data quality issues may result in underestimates of total
category nutrient loads (e.g., PCS contains more limited data for nutrients than for toxic
pollutants). Because of these issues, EPA intends to investigate ways to improve its review of the
quality of nutrients and other pollutant discharge data in future effluent guidelines planning
cycles.
8.4.4 Findings/Summary from 2006 Annual Review
EPA began an investigation of the nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) discharged
by each point source category with existing ELGs. EPA calculated the total pounds of nitrogen
(nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, total nitrogen) and phosphorus (phosphates) discharged and found that
the Pulp and Paper Category ranked high in discharges of these nutrients. EPA requested
additional information from industry to confirm the reported discharges of nutrients. EPA
intends to pursue means for improving the data review processes for nutrients discharges in
future effluent guidelines planning cycles, so EPA can better identify and correct in accuracies in
estimated discharge loads.
8.5 Sources of Nutrients in Pulp and Paper Mill Effluents
NCASI reports (NCASI, 2001) that mills may discharge from 3 to 10 mg/L of
total N and, on average, 1 mg/L of total P. With pulp and paper mill flows in the range of 1 to 30
MGD, nitrogen discharges may range from 4,000 to 400,000 Ib/year and phosphorus discharges
may range from 1,300 to 40,000 Ib/year. Discharges of this magnitude may lead to violations of
water quality standards that permit writers may need to address. Permit writers should use Best
Professional Judgment (BPJ) to evaluate available pollution prevention and treatment
technologies when establishing the NPDES permit limits that are required to address mill-
specific problems. EPA reviewed technical literature to learn more about sources of nutrients
and potential control strategies. Nutrient sources are discussed in this subsection and control
strategies are discussed in Section 8.6.
Pulp and paper mill wastewater, as generated, typically does not contain sufficient
nitrogen and phosphorus to operate a stable biological treatment system for maximum reduction
8-9
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Section 8.0- Nutrients
of the organic load (BOD5). For this reason, mills typically add nutrients to their treatment
systems. In addition to discussing process sources of nitrogen and phosphorous, this subsection
discusses how nutrients are added to and generated in wastewater treatment systems, resulting in
nutrient discharges that may exceed water quality standards.
8.5.1 Process Sources of Wastewater Nitrogen Discharge
19
Slade, Nicol, and Grigsby (Slade, 1999) found that foul condensates , when they
are discharged to wastewater treatment, contribute the greatest amount of total N in untreated
mill wastewater. The ultimate source of the nitrogen in the foul condensates is wood. Wood
contains cellulose (a polymer of glucose, CeH^Oe) and lignin, a complex three-dimensional
polymer that includes nitrogen. Because lignin dissolves in the pulping chemical solution
(liquor), spent pulping liquor is the source of nitrogen in mill wastewaters. Spent pulping liquor
(called black liquor in the kraft process) is separated from the cellulose in multiple washing and
bleaching stages. Process steps where the spent liquor is sewered and not sent to the recovery
system are sources of nitrogen in untreated wastewater. These steps may include open screening
in the pulping area, washers in early bleaching stages, and general mill leaks and spills. Most
spent pulping liquor is routed to the recovery cycle where it is burned in the recovery boiler.
Most of the nitrogen contained in the combusted liquor is lost through recovery boiler air
emissions (as nitrogen gas orNOx) (Slade, 1999).
NCASI evaluated process additives as possible sources of nitrogen. Additives
include defoamers, water conditioners, scale inhibitors, chelants, biocides, slimicides, wet and
dry strength additives, and dyes and pigments. They concluded that, with the possible exception
of chelants (such as ethylene diamine tetracetic acid - EDTA) used in some peroxide-bleaching
mills, process additives were unlikely to contribute significantly to process wastewater nitrogen
loads (NCASI, 2001).
19 Foul condensates are the condensed steam from pulp digesters and black liquor evaporators that contains foul-
smelling components, as well as color bodies, ammonium, and substantial BOD/COD. Foul condensates are
typically steam-stripped to remove methanol, reduced sulfur gases and other volatiles, which are routed to
incineration in the lime kiln or power boiler. Steam stripping may also reduce ammonium and thus the total N in the
condensates. The stripped condensates may be reused as pulping liquor make-up or discharged to wastewater
treatment.
8-10
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Section 8.0- Nutrients
8.5.2 Process Sources of Wastewater Phosphorus Discharges
Slade, Nicol, and Grigsby (Slade 1999) found that bleach plant effluents,
particularly acid-stage discharges, contribute the greatest amount of total P in untreated mill
wastewater. They suggested that the phosphorus may be associated with the bleaching
chemicals. McCubbin and Krogerus (McCubbin, 2003) suggest that phosphorus may enter the
mill with the lime or lime-rock, a raw material used in the kraft recovery cycle. NCASI (NCASI,
2001) concluded that process additives were unlikely to contribute significantly to process
wastewater phosphorus loads.
8.5.3 Wastewater Treatment System Sources of Wastewater Nutrient Discharges
As stated earlier, pulp and paper mill wastewater typically does not contain
sufficient nitrogen and phosphorus to operate a stable biological treatment system to effectively
reduce the organic load (BOD5). Insufficient amounts of nutrients in pulp and paper mill
wastewater have been linked to operational problems such as sludge bulking and poor solids
separation. For this reason, mills typically add nutrients to their treatment systems. Historically,
nutrient additions have been based on the BOD5 load, in the ratio of 100:5:1 (Ibs BOD5: Ibs N:
Ibs P). NCASI (NCASI, 2001) found that mills currently operating activated sludge treatment
systems add nutrients in the ratio of 100:3.5:0.7 while mills operating aerated stabilization basis
add nutrients in the ratio of 100:2.0:0.4. NCASI (NCASI, 2001) found that in practice, ".. .the
amount of nutrients added is highly variable and is a function of the type of mill, type of
treatment system and associated hydraulic residence time, number and amount of process
additives containing nitrogen or phosphorous, whether [ammonia-containing] condensates are
steam-stripped and burned or sent to the treatment system, and other parameters." Ammonium
and phosphoric acid are commonly added as nutrients, but urea, ammonium phosphate,
diammonium phosphate, and ammonium nitrate are also used (NCASI, 2001).
The nitrogen and phosphorus added to the wastewater treatment system are
incorporated into the microbial cells (biomass) that remove soluble BODs. In an activated
sludge treatment system, the biomass is removed in a clarifier prior to wastewater discharge. A
portion of the biomass is returned to the aeration basin, available to remove the incoming BOD5.
Typical mean cell residence time in an activated sludge treatment system is 5 to 15 days. As the
8-11
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Section 8.0- Nutrients
cells reach their maximum age, they lyse, releasing their cell contents so that the cell nitrogen
and phosphorus are available to support the growth of other cells.
Aerated stabilization basin treatment systems require lower amounts of nutrients
than activated sludge treatment systems because of increased release of nutrients from microbial
cell cycling. The excess sludge in an aerated stabilization basin is not removed from the system,
but forms an anaerobic layer at the bottom of the basin. Nitrogen and phosphorus are cycled to
the overlying water column from this bottom (benthic) sludge layer. In addition, in certain
modes of operation, aerated stabilization basins can select for a bacterial population capable of
fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Consequently, aerated stabilization basins operating with nitrogen-
fixing bacteria do not require the addition of any nitrogen. Resuspension of the benthic sludge
layer results in discharge of total suspended solids potentially high in nitrogen and phosphorus.
8.6 Nutrient Control Strategies for Pulp and Paper Mills
To minimize the discharge of total nitrogen and phosphorus from pulp and paper
mills, facilities need to optimize nutrient supplementation and effectively remove suspended
solids. Very close control of nutrient supplementation requires on-line monitoring of flow and
organic strength, knowledge of system nutrient requirements, and possibly also a feedback
control system for effluent nutrient species (Slade, 2004). Once nutrient supplementation is
well-controlled, the majority of the discharged nutrients are contained within the biomass.
Effective solids separation then becomes the controlling step, and optimization of secondary
clarification is crucial (Slade, 2004).
When facilities cannot meet regulatory constraints using biological treatment
alone, they may need to include a tertiary treatment step. Chemical precipitation of phosphorus
is the most common tertiary treatment in the pulp and paper industry. Phosphorus forms highly
insoluble precipitates with calcium, magnesium, and iron, which can remove phosphorus from
the soluble phase. However, tertiary treatment for phosphorus removal from high-volume
wastewaters is expensive, and produces a further waste stream for disposal (Slade, 2004).
8-12
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Section 8.0- Nutrients
Tertiary treatment for nitrogen removal is not common in the pulp and paper
industry. However, wetlands are often used to remove nitrogen from municipal wastewaters and
this treatment may be adaptable to pulp and paper mill wastewaters.
To address anthropogenic eutrophication of its lakes and streams, the state of
Wisconsin established nitrogen and phosphorus criteria. For municipal and industrial point
sources, the nutrient criteria may require phosphorus removal below the regulatory phosphorus
effluent limits threshold levels. Although it established wastewater effluent standards for
phosphorus of 1 mg/L, Wisconsin's State Rule NR 217 allows alternative effluent limits if the
1-mg/L standard is not practically achievable or if dischargers have a small likelihood of
contributing to existing use impairments in their receiving water body.
Eight Wisconsin pulp and paper mills have applied for alternative phosphorus
limits. Most of these mills chose to demonstrate that reducing nutrient supplementation caused
wastewater treatment system operational problems such as sludge bulking and poor solids
separation. The mills typically reduced phosphorus addition and closely monitored their
biological treatment systems for nutrient deficiency. The lowest phosphorus discharge
concentrations at which the mills could operate their existing wastewater treatment systems
range from 1.2 to 2.6 mg/L. Table 8-5 lists the mills that requested alternative phosphorus limits
and the justification they provided for their requested limit.
8.7 Detailed Study Findings for Nutrients
Below are the results regarding nutrients from EPA's 2006 annual review:
In the initial analysis conducted in 2005, the Pulp and Paper Category
ranked third in total annual nitrogen load (Ib/yr) and first in total annual
phosphorus load (Ib/yr). Therefore, EPA began investigating wastewater
discharges of nutrients (i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus) from the Pulp and
Paper Category in its 2006 annual review.
8-13
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Section 8.0- Nutrients
Table 8-5. Wisconsin Phosphorus Minimization Alternative Limits Justifications
Facility Name
NPDES
Permit
Number
Requested
Alternative
Phosphorus
Limit
Justification for Requested Alternative Phosphorus Limit
City Forest
WI000320
1.8 mg/L
Phosphorus minimization study demonstrated that reduced phosphorus caused
filamentous bulking. Mill requested limit equal to the lowest sustainable
phosphorus residual that will not impede biological performance.
Domtar
WI0003620
1.5 mg/L
Phosphorus minimization study defined the minimum phosphorus addition rate
necessary to maintain healthy treatment biomass. End-of-pipe control, ferric
chloride, and tertiary filtration costs were prohibitive. The mill has improved
accuracy of phosphoric acid pumping and increased oxygen consumption.
Weyerhaeuser
WI0026042
1.5 mg/L
Mill documented incidents of phosphorus deficiency where bulking solids were
later experienced. Traditional removal technologies were evaluated: alum
usage could violate the aluminum permit limit, ferric chloride could attack heat
exchangers, and ferric sulfide and polymer costs were prohibitive.
Historically, the daily addition of phosphoric acid has been reduced.
Smart Paper
(Fraser)
WI0003212
2.0 mg/L
Phosphorus minimization study demonstrated that phosphorus reduction causes
sudden and severe failure in the biological treatment process. An independent
report recommended a BOD/PO4 ratio be maintained for adequate phosphorus
availability.
Stora Enso
(Repap)
WI0000698
2.0 mg/L
(1.6mg/L)a
Mill has historically experienced brown foam (mixed liquor which floats up in
aeration tanks) upsets. Severe brown foam outbreaks were traced to a
phosphorus deficiency; controlling outbreaks requires increased phosphorus
feed.
Stora Enso
WI00007526
1.45 mg/1
(1.2mg/l)a
Phosphorus minimization study demonstrated a BOD:P ratio necessary to
maintain efficient BOD and TSS removal. The mill ratio is higher than typical,
but the mill's products and treatment systems are unique in North America.
Use of liquid alum for tertiary phosphorus removal would increase sludge,
aluminum residuals, pH suppression and impact anaerobic pretreatment. It is
also costly.
Wausau Paper
WI0003379
2.0 mg/L
Minimization study showed the mill operated best when phosphorus discharges
were between 2-2.5 mg/1. Traditional removal technologies were evaluated:
ferric chloride would increase costs and sludge, but not achieve the lmg/1 limit.
Sodium aluminate and an anionic polymer were also unsuccessful at achieving
discharge concentrations less than 2 mg/1.
Packaging
Corp
WI0002810
4.01 mg/1
(2.6 mg/L)a
Mill performed a detailed assessment of phosphorus sources; reduction was
evaluated on a case-by-case basis (e.g., mill reduced phosphoric acid from felt
cleaning). Mill received funding for evaluation of two innovative treatment
technologies. Conventional ferric chloride precipitation was also evaluated.
The evaluated technologies were either not cost-effective or unable to achieve
concentrations below 5 mg/1. The alternative limit of 4.01 mg/L was derived
statistically from historical data.
Source: (Lange, 2006a)
"Alternative limit granted by Wisconsin.
8-14
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Section 8.0- Nutrients
EPA conducted "reasonableness checks" of the nutrient loads it estimated
during the 2005 annual review. For the Pulp and Paper Category, EPA
reviewed the nutrient loads calculated for two facilities, Brunswick
Cellulose, Brunswick, GA and Georgia-Pacific, Big Island, VA and found
that the loads EPA calculated in PCSLoads2002 did not accurately
represent mill nutrient discharges.
During the 2006 annual review, EPA found its calculation methodologies
and PCS data quality may lead, in some cases, to inaccuracies in estimated
nutrient discharge loads. For this reason, EPA intends to investigate ways
for improving the data review processes for nutrients discharges in future
effluent guidelines planning cycles, so EPA can better identify and correct
inaccuracies in estimated discharge loads.
EPA found that many mills discharge measurable concentrations of
nutrients. NCASI reports (NCASI, 2001) that mills may discharge from 3
to 10 mg/L of total nitrogen and, on average, 1 mg/L of total phosphorus
(NCASI, 2001). Permit writers should use BPJ to evaluate available
pollution prevention and treatment technologies when establishing the
NPDES permit limits that are required to address the mill-specific
problems.
Wisconsin has established wastewater effluent standards for phosphorus of
1 mg/L. Achievable phosphorus discharge concentrations range from 1.2
to 2.6 mg/L, based on optimizing nutrient additions to existing biological
treatment systems.
Minimizing the discharge of total nitrogen and phosphorus from pulp and
paper mill wastewater treatment systems requires optimized nutrient
supplementation and effective removal of suspended solids. EPA has not
determined if these strategies are feasible for all mills. EPA found that
end-of-pipe treatment technologies for nutrients removal have not been
well demonstrated on mill wastewaters.
8-15
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
9.0 CLUSTER RULE IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPACT
One of the purposes of the detailed study of the Pulp and Paper Category is to
determine how the 1998 Cluster Rules have been implemented and their effect on mill
discharges. EPA evaluated the implementation of the Cluster Rules by reviewing NPDES
permits from 78 of the 79 (99 percent) operating Phase I mills and selected POTWs. As of
August 2006, EPA had requested, but not received, a permit for one POTW, the Bay County
Wastewater Treatment Plant in Panama City, FL. EPA evaluated the effect of the Cluster Rules
by analyzing Phase I mill discharge data reported to PCS for the period 1998 to 2004 and
reviewing the status of dioxin-related fish consumption advisories.
9.1 Detailed Summary of 1998 ELGs Revisions (Cluster Rules)
EPA promulgated revised ELGS for two subcategories, Subpart B (Bleached
Papergrade Kraft and Soda) and Subpart E (Papergrade Sulfite) April 15, 1998 (63 FR 18504).
EPA promulgated the Phase I ELGs at the same time it promulgated National Emissions
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) for kraft and sulfite pulp mills. Because
these water and air regulations were developed, analyzed, and promulgated jointly, they are
called the Cluster Rules. The Cluster Rules regulate wastewater discharges of toxic and
nonconventional pollutants that are characteristic of mills that bleach chemical pulp with
chlorine-containing compounds. These pollutants include adsorbable organo-halides (AOX),
chloroform, TCDD, TCDF, and 12 chlorinated phenolic compounds20. Chemical pulp bleaching
is the principal source of these pollutants. Permit writers issue permits that, at a minimum, limit
the discharge of these pollutants, following the Cluster Rules effluent limitations guidelines.
In addition to limiting pollutant discharges, NPDES permits establish monitoring
and reporting requirements. Permits specify what discharge points must be monitored, for what
pollutants, at what frequency, and how frequently facilities report to their permitting authority.
Facility Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) provide the permitting authority with the
information necessary to evaluate compliance with discharge limits. Table 9-1 summarizes the
20 4-trichlrosyringol; 3,4,5-trichlorocatechol; 3,4,6-trichlorocatechol; 3,4,5-trichloroguaiacol; 3,4,6-
trichloroguaiacol; 4,5,6-trichloroguaiacol; 2,4,5-trichlorophenol; 2,4,6-trichlorophenol; tetrachlorocatechol;
tetrachloroguaiacol; 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol; and pentachlorophenol.
9-1
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
required compliance points for each pollutant regulated by the Cluster Rules. As noted in the
table, EPA established less stringent monitoring requirements for bleached papergrade kraft mills
that use totally chlorine-free (TCP) bleaching. Because TCP bleaching is the basis for its BAT
limitations for Segment A of Subpart E (Papergrade Sulfite), bleach plant generation of
chlorinated pollutants is eliminated and EPA determined that only monitoring for AOX is
required.
Table 9-1. Compliance Points for Cluster Rule Regulated Pollutants
Pollutant"
2,3,7,8-TCDD
2,3,7,8-TCDF
Chloroform
12 chlorinated
phenolic
pollutants
AOX
COD
Subpart B(BPK Mills)
Non-TCF
Bleach Plant
Bleach Plant
Bleach Plant
Bleach Plant
Final Effluent
(Directs)
Bleach Plant
(Indirects)
Reserved
TCF
Not required
Not required
Not required
Not required
Final Effluent
Reserved
Subpart E (PS Mills)
Calcium-, Sodium-,
Magnesium-Based
(Segment A)
Not required
Not required
Not required
Not required
Final Effluent
(Directs)
Bleach Plant
(Indirects)
Reserved
Ammonium-
Based
(Segment B)
Bleach Plant
Bleach Plant
Reserved
Bleach Plant
Reserved
Reserved
Specialty Grade
(Segment C)
Bleach Plant
Bleach Plant
Reserved
Bleach Plant
Reserved
Reserved
Source: Permit Guidance Document (U.S. EPA, 2000a).
aTable 9-1 presents monitoring locations information for Cluster Rules pollutants. All Phase I mills must also monitor and
comply with BPT/BCT limits for pH, BOD5 and TSS at the final effluent. Unless they certify that they do not use
chlorophenolic-containing biocides, they must also monitor and comply with BAT limits for trichlorophenol and
pentachlorophenol at the final effluent.
BPK - Bleached Papergrade Kraft. PS - Papergrade Sulfite. TCF - Totally Chlorine-Free.
Reserved - Although pollutant was identified as a pollutant of concern, EPA reserved promulgation of limitations until such time
that sufficient performance data were available and no monitoring is required.
As shown above, mills are required to demonstrate compliance at the following
two locations:
The point where wastewater leaves the bleach plant, before being
combined with process wastewaters or noncontact cooling water from
other operations prior to treatment and discharge. Hereafter, this sample
location is referred to as "bleach plant effluent."
The point where mills discharge their treated effluent to the receiving
streams; hereafter referred to as "final effluent."
9-2
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
9.1.1 Best Available Technology Limitations and Pretreatment Standards
The Cluster Rules require that mills existing as of April 15, 1998 that discharge
directly to receiving streams control toxic and nonconventional pollutants at the best available
technology (BAT) economically achievable level of performance. EPA established Pretreatment
Standards for Existing Sources (PSES) that are based on control technologies similar to BAT for
indirect dischargers. EPA identified the "best available technology" for Subpart B as
conventional pulping followed by complete substitution of chlorine dioxide for elemental
chlorine, elimination of hypochlorite, and eight additional elements described in detail in the
Supplemental Technical Development Document (U.S. EPA, 1997). The technology basis of
New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) is equivalent to that of BAT with the addition of
extended delignification (oxygen delignification and/or extended cooking). Although EPA
promulgated regulations for new sources (NSPS for direct dischargers and Pretreatment
Standards for New Sources (PSNS) for indirect dischargers), no new bleached papergrade kraft
or papergrade sulfite mills have been constructed since 1998.
Table 9-2 presents the Subpart B BAT limitations guidelines and PSES for
bleached papergrade kraft and soda mills. Except for the monitoring location for AOX, the
Subpart B BAT limitations guidelines and PSES for indirect dischargers are the same. As
specified in 40 CFR 430.24(a)(2), mills with operations in Subpart B that use exclusively TCP
bleaching processes have limits for AOX only and must monitor at the final effluent. The AOX
limit is
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Table 9-2. Subpart B (Bleached Papergrade Kraft and Soda) BAT Effluent Limitations
Guidelines and Pretreatment Standards for Existing Sources
Pollutants
1-Day Maximum3
Bleach Plant Effluent
TCDD
TCDF
Chloroform
Trichlorosyringol
3,4,5-Trichlorocatechol
3 ,4,6-Trichlorocatechol
3,4,5-Trichloroguaiacol
3 ,4,6-Trichloroguaiacol
4,5,6-Trichloroguaiacol
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
Tetrachlorocatechol
Tetrachloroguaiacol
2,3 ,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol
Pentachlorophenol
-------
Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Table 9-3. Subpart E (Papergrade Sulfite) BAT Effluent Limitations Guidelines and
Pretreatment Standards for Existing Sources
Pollutants
Segment A
Calcium, Magnesium, and
Sodium Sulfite"
Segment B
Ammonium Sulfite
Bleach Plant Effluent
TCDD
TCDF
Chloroform
Trichlorosyringol
3,4,5-Trichlorocatechol
3 ,4,6-Trichlorocatechol
3,4,5-Trichloroguaiacol
3 ,4,6-Trichloroguaiacol
4,5,6-Trichloroguaiacol
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
Tetrachlorocatechol
Tetrachloroguaiacol
2,3 ,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol
Pentachlorophenol
not regulated
not regulated
not regulated
not regulated
not regulated
not regulated
not regulated
not regulated
not regulated
not regulated
not regulated
not regulated
not regulated
not regulated
not regulated
-------
Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Point Source Category (40 CFR §430) provides additional details on incentives program (U.S.
EPA, 2000a).
TCP bleaching is performed without using chlorine, sodium or calcium
hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, chlorine monoxide, or any other chlorine-containing compound.
As an incentive for mills to use TCP bleaching, EPA provided reduced monitoring requirements
for TCP bleach lines. For each bleach line that uses exclusively TCP bleaching processes, the
mill is required only to comply with final effluent AOX limitations; no bleach plant limits are
required in the mill's permit.
Prior to promulgating the Cluster Rules, EPA had established Project XL, which
stands for "excellence and Leadership." This national pilot program allowed state and local
governments, businesses, and federal facilities to work with EPA to develop more cost-effective
strategies for achieving environmental and public health protection. In exchange, EPA offered
regulatory, program, policy, or procedural flexibility to conduct the program. One bleached
papergrade kraft mill (Weyerhaeuser in Oglethorpe, GA) participates in EPA's Project XL.
Table 9-4 lists the bleached papergrade kraft mills participating in these beyond-
compliance programs.
9-6
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Table 9-4. Bleached Papergrade Kraft Mills Operating "Beyond Compliance'
NPDES Permit Number
Beyond Compliance Program
VATIP Mills
International Paper, Eastover
Bowaterlnc., Catawba
Glatfelter, Spring Grove
International Paper, Franklin
SC0038121
SC0001015
PA0008869
VA0004162
VATIP
VATIP
VATIP
VATIP
XL Mill
Weyerhaeuser/Flint River Mill, Oglethorpe
GA0049336
XL
TCF Bleaching Mill
Evergreen Pulp Company (formerly Louisiana-
Pacific), Samoa
CA0005894
TCF
VATIP - Voluntary Advanced Technology Incentives Program.
XL - excellence and Leadership.
TCF - Totally Chlorine Free.
9.1.3
Support Documents
The following EPA documents (which can be found at the EPA web site
http://epa.gov/waterscience/pulppaper/) provide additional background on the Cluster Rules and
their implementation:
Supplemental Technical Development Document for Effluent Limitations
Guidelines and Standards for the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Category:
Subpart B (Bleached Papergrade Kraft and Soda) and Subpart E
(Papergrade Sulfite). EPA-821-R-97-011. October 1997.
Technical Support Document for the Voluntary Advanced Technology
Incentives Program, November, 1997.
Technical Support Document for Best Management Practices for Spent
Pulping Liquor Management, Spill Prevention, and Control. EPA821-R-
97-011. October 1997.
Permit Guidance Document for the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard
Manufacturing Point Source Category (40 CFR 430).
EPA-821-B-00-003. May 2000.
9-7
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
9.2 Incorporation of Cluster Rules Monitoring Requirements into NPDES
Permits
EPA reviewed mill NPDES permits to determine if they included the appropriate
Cluster Rules monitoring requirements. Permits are issued to facilities for a specific time period
(generally five years) with a requirement to reapply prior to the expiration date. Permit writers
are required to use the Cluster Rules guidelines for permits issued after April 15, 1998. Thus, all
permits for affected mills should have had limits and monitoring requirements based on the new
guidelines by April 2003, unless permit renewal was delayed or the mill was enrolled in the
VATIP.
This subsection presents EPA's review of permits issued to facilities subject to the
Cluster Rules and POTWs that receive wastewater subject to the Cluster Rules.
9.2.1 Bleached Papergrade Kraft Mills
At the time the Cluster Rules were promulgated, 84 bleached papergrade kraft
mills operated in the United States. As of 2004, 72 mills continued to have bleached papergrade
kraft operations. These mills are listed in the appendix to this report. The 72 operating mills
include one TCP mill, Evergreen Pulp Company (formerly Louisiana Pacific) in Samoa, CA
(which produces a chlorine-free product using peroxide bleach), five mills operating in other
beyond-compliance programs, four indirect dischargers subject to PSES, and two mills that share
a permit. EPA reviewed 71 permits for these bleached papergrade kraft papergrade mills to
determine if the appropriate Cluster Rules monitoring requirements were included21.
The Cluster Rules require mills to monitor for TCDD, TCDF, chloroform, and
chlorinated phenolic compounds at the bleach plant. Table 9-5 lists six permits for direct
dischargers that do not yet include Cluster Rule limits because the revised permits are either
being contested or have not been reissued since the Cluster Rules were promulgated. Three of
these active permits specify final effluent, rather than bleach plant effluent, as the compliance
monitoring point.
21 This count does not match the tally of collected BPK permits in Section 2.0; the count in Table 2-1 (70 mills)
excludes Boise Cascade in Saint Helens OR, which is copermitted with the City of St. Helens POTW.
9-8
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Table 9-5. Permits for Bleached Papergrade Kraft Mills Missing Required Bleach Plant
Monitoring as of June 2006
Mill
International Paper Co.,
Cantonment (Contested)
International Paper Co.,
Riegelwood (Not issued)
Pope & Talbot Inc., Halsey
(Not issued)
Fraser Paper, Berlin
(Not issued)
Lincoln Pulp & Paper Co,
Lincoln (Contested)
International Paper Co.,
Texarkana (Contested)
NPDES
Permit
Number
FL0002526
NC0003298
OR0001074
NH0000655
ME0002003
TX0000167
Active
Permit
Expiration
Date
8/31/95
11/30/01
7/1/98
10/21/99
1/23/02
1/1/01
Pollutant Absent
from Required
Bleach Plant
Monitoring
TCDD, TCDF,
chloroform, CP
TCDD, TCDF,
chloroform, CP
CP, chloroform
TCDD, TCDF,
chloroform, CP
Chloroform, CP
TCDD, TCDF,
chloroform, CP
Pollutant Absent
from Required
Final Effluent
Monitoring
AOX
AOX
None
None
None
None
Pollutant
Limited at
FE not BP
-
TCDD, CP
-
TCDD,
TCDF
-
TCDD
CP - Chlorinated phenolic compounds.
BP - Bleach Plant.
FE - Final Effluent.
In the preliminary report of this detailed study (U.S. EPA, 2005b), EPA identified
four active permits for bleached papergrade kraft mills that had no AOX monitoring requirement.
Each of these permits had expired and had not been reissued following promulgation of the
Cluster Rules. EPA contacted Maine, North Carolina, and Florida and determined that two
permits had been reissued after publication of the preliminary report. The permits for the
MeadWestvaco (NewPage) mill in Rumford, ME and the Weyerhaeuser mill in Plymouth, NC
were issued after August 2005 and now require final effluent AOX monitoring. The
International Paper Company mills in Cantonment, FL and Riegelwood, NC continue to operate
with expired permits that are missing required final effluent AOX monitoring.
9.2.2
POTWs
Four bleached papergrade kraft mills and no papergrade sulfite mills discharge
their wastewater to POTWs. These four mills can contribute up to 90 percent of the receiving
POTW wastewater flow (U.S. EPA, 1993). Even so, ELGs do not apply to POTWs. Permit
limits for the POTWs are determined by water quality standards and the professional judgment
9-9
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
of the permit writer. EPA reviewed permits to understand the variety of ways permit writers
have limited the discharges of pulp mill wastewaters treated by POTWs. EPA did not review
any pretreatment agreements between the mills and the POTW. As summarized in Table 9-6,
permit writers have addressed discharges from POTWs receiving bleached papergrade kraft mill
effluents in a variety of ways.
Table 9-6. Permit Requirements for POTWs Receiving Bleached Papergrade Kraft Mill
Wastewater
Mill"
Boise Cascade, St. Helens,
OR
NewPage (was Westvaco),
Luke, MD
SAPPI (was Potlatch),
Cloquet, MN
SAPPI Fine Paper (was
S.D. Warren), Muskegon,
MI
POTW
City of St. Helens POTW
Upper Potomac River
Commission, Westernport,
MD
Western Lake Superior
Sanitary District Duluth,
MN
Muskegon County
Wastewater Management
System
POTW NPDES
Permit Number
OR0020824
MD0021687
MN0049786
MI0027391
Comments
Joint permit includes bleach
plant effluent limits for the mill
that follow the Cluster Rule
guidelines.
Includes limits for mill bleach
plant effluent. Permit expired
April 30, 2006.
Includes TCDD and chloroform
final effluent monitoring
requirements.
Includes TCDD final effluent
monitoring requirements.
aEPA did not obtain a copy of the permit for Stone Container Corporation in Panama City, FL (NPDES:
FL0002631).
9.2.3
Papergrade Sulfite Mills
At the time the Cluster Rules were promulgated, 11 papergrade sulfite mills
operated in the United States. As of 2004, only six of these mills still had sulfite pulping
operations and all were direct dischargers. Table 9-7 lists these mills, their NPDES permit
number, and the segment of the Subpart E regulations that applies to their discharges. None of
the operating papergrade sulfite mills produce specialty grade pulp (Segment C).
9-10
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Table 9-7. Papergrade Sulfite Mills Operating in 2004
Mill Name
Wausau Mosinee Paper Mills, Brokaw
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co., Rothschild
Fraser Paper, Park Falls
Domtar, Port Edwards
Kimberly-Clark, Everett
Finch Pruyn & Co Inc., Great Falls
NPDIS Permit
WI00033793
WI0026042
WI0003212
WI0003620b
WA0000621
NY0005525
Segment
A (Calcium, Magnesium, or Sodium Sulfite)
A (Calcium, Magnesium, or Sodium Sulfite)
A (Calcium, Magnesium, or Sodium Sulfite)
A (Calcium, Magnesium, or Sodium Sulfite)
B (Ammonium Sulfite)
B (Ammonium Sulfite)
"Wausau Mosinee Paper Mills, Brokaw ceased operations as a papergrade sulfite mill in November 2005.
bTwo Domtar mills (Nekoosa - BPK mill & Port Edwards - a PS mill) share an NPDES permit.
Segment A - Applies to mills that produce pulp using calcium, magnesium, or sodium sulfite acidic cooking liquors.
Segment B - Applies to mills that produce pulp using an ammonium sulfite acidic liquor.
The six operating papergrade sulfite mills in 2004 include one facility that shares
a treatment system with a Subpart B mill. Wausau Mosinee Paper mill in Brokaw, WI ceased
papergrade sulfite operations in November 2005. Weyerhaeuser Rothschild has been totally
chlorine-free since 1998; the facility produces calcium-based sulfite pulp and printing and
writing paper and is in Segment A.
The Domtar Port Edwards mill produces bleached magnesium-based sulfite pulp
(Segment A) and has been totally chlorine-free since 1993. It is copermitted with the Domtar
Nekoosa BPK mill. The permit for the discharge from this combined wastewater treatment
system includes AOX limits, based on the BPK limits. This permit was included in the review of
bleached papergrade kraft mill permits and is not included in the analysis of the papergrade
sulfite mill permits.
The Cluster Rules require permits for papergrade sulfite mills with operations in
Segment A (Calcium-, Magnesium-, and Sodium-Based Sulfite) to have AOX limits and
monitoring at the final effluent. The Cluster Rules require permits for papergrade sulfite mills
with operations in Segment B (Ammonium-Based Sulfite) to have limits for TCDD, TCDF, and
12 chlorinated phenolic pollutants and monitoring at the bleach plant effluent. Table 9-8
presents the number of permits for papergrade sulfite mills that do not include the appropriate
Cluster Rules monitoring requirements. EPA's findings are discussed below.
9-11
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Table 9-8. Number of Permits for Papergrade Sulfite Mills Missing Cluster Rules
Monitoring Requirements, as of 2004
Segment"
A - Calcium,
Magnesium, or
Sodium Sulfite
B - Ammonium
Sulfite
Total
Permits
Collected
2
2
4e
Permit
Expired
0
0
0
Required Monitoring Missing
FE-AOX
2b
(Final Effluent)
Od
0
BP-TCDF
Oc
0
(Bleach Plant)
0
BP-TCDD
Oc
0
(Bleach Plant)
0
BP-CP
Oc
0
(Bleach Plant)
0
aNo active PS mills are indirect dischargers or in the Specialty Grade Segment.
bPermitting authority has allowed monitoring at an alternative internal monitoring location, in place of final effluent
monitoring.
'Cluster Rules do not require bleach plant monitoring for TCDD, TCDF, or chlorinated phenolic compounds for the
Calcium, Magnesium, or Sodium Sulfite segment.
dEPA has not promulgated AOX limits for the Ammonium Sulfite Segment.
eExcludes a permit shared by two Domtar mills (analyzed as BPK mill) and a permit for Wausau Mosinee Paper in
Brokaw, WI, which ceased PS operations as of November 2005.
BP - Bleach Plant.
FE - Final Effluent.
CP - Chlorinated Phenolic Compounds.
Both permits for the two operating Segment B mills include all Cluster Rules
requirements. They also include bleach plant chloroform monitoring requirements, even though
the Cluster Rules do not require them.
EPA collected permits for three Segment A mills. All three mills are located in
Wisconsin. One of the three mills, Wausau Mosinee Paper in Brokaw, ceased papergrade sulfite
operations as of November 2005. Information about the mill's permit is not included in Table
9-8. Permits for the other two Segment A mills do not include requirements for monitoring final
effluent for AOX. Instead, Wisconsin has allowed these mills to demonstrate compliance with
Cluster Rule AOX limits at an internal monitoring location, equivalent to what the rule requires.
9.2.4
Monitoring Requirements in NPDES Permits, Summary of Findings
EPA reviewed how the monitoring requirements from the Cluster Rules have
been incorporated into NPDES permits for all operating mills with operations in Subparts B and
E. The majority of permits for direct dischargers (91 percent or 61 out of 67) reflect the ELGs.
Permits for six bleached papergrade kraft mills do not yet include Cluster Rules limits because
9-12
-------
Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
the permits are either being contested or have not been reissued since the Cluster Rules were
promulgated. Permits for two papergrade sulfite mills allow the facilities to demonstrate
compliance with the AOX limit at alternate monitoring locations.
9.3 Analysis of Compliance Monitoring Data
This subsection presents EPA's evaluation of compliance monitoring data
reported to PCS for bleached papergrade kraft mills and for papergrade sulfite mills.
Washington State does not report internal monitoring data to PCS, but provided mill bleach plant
effluent monitoring data directly to EPA for this analysis. These data are also discussed in this
subsection. Finally, this subsection summarizes EPA's evaluation of the effects of the Cluster
Rules on mill discharges.
To evaluate the effect of the Cluster Rules on mill discharges, EPA compared
PCS pollutant discharge data to the Cluster Rules limitations. For this comparison, EPA
compiled data for 1998, when the Cluster Rules were promulgated, through 2004, the most
recent full year for which PCS data were available at the beginning of this study. For pollutants
with concentration-based limitations (TCDD, TCDF, and the chlorinated phenolic compounds),
EPA determined if the mill was meeting the limitations by examining PCS-reported
concentrations. EPA could not, however, determine if mills were meeting mass-based
limitations for chloroform and AOX. Mass-based limitations are production-normalized (e.g.,
4.14 grams of chloroform per metric ton of pulp production and 0.623 kilograms of AOX per
metric ton of pulp production). PCS does not include mill production information and thus EPA
could not determine production-normalized pollutant discharges.
For chloroform and AOX, EPA evaluated the Cluster Rules' impact on each
reporting mill's discharges by comparing the baseline pollutant load EPA estimated during the
development of the guidelines to the discharge load calculated using PCS data. As part of the
Cluster Rules development, EPA estimated baseline pollutant loads for each mill. Because EPA
did not have actual discharge data from each mill subject to Subpart B or E, EPA modeled
baseline discharges for each mill based on the operations in use and pulp production as of mid-
9-13
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
1995. Hereafter, EPA's 1995 estimated production-normalized loads are referred to as "baseline
loads."
The process changes that are the basis of the BAT limitations (especially using
chlorine dioxide to bleach, instead of chlorine), reduce the concentrations of TCDD, TCDF, and
chlorinated phenolic compounds to below or very close to analytical method detection limits.
For this reason, the measured discharges of these pollutants are not related to pulp production.
Discharges of AOX and chloroform are related to pulp production22. For the
same bleaching conditions, the higher a mill's production, the greater the mass of AOX and
chloroform it will discharge. From 1998 to 2000, production for the industry as a whole was
stagnant (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2001); therefore, changes in AOX and chloroform
discharges, for the industry as a whole, are more likely related to changes in bleaching conditions
than to changes in pulp production. Understanding the AOX and chloroform discharge trends at
individual mills, however, requires information about the mill's bleached pulp production.
9.3.1 Bleached Papergrade Kraft
EPA collected and reviewed 67 NPDES permits for bleached papergrade kraft
mills. Although most of the permits included limits based on the Cluster Rules ELGs,
monitoring data for many of the regulated pollutants were missing from PCS. Table 9-9 lists, for
each of the Cluster Rules pollutants, the number of bleached papergrade kraft mills with Cluster
Rules permit limits and the number of mills with 2004 monitoring data in PCS. Table 9-9 also
shows the number of mills without Cluster Rules permit limits for which PCS contains data.
Chloroform discharges are closely correlated to the use of hypochlorite bleaching. When hypochlorite is
eliminated, chloroform discharges are reduced by a factor of one hundred. Chloroform discharges are also related
to, among other factors, the pH of the chorine dioxide bleaching stages, chlorine dioxide dose (pounds per thousand
pounds of pulp), and production. (See 67 FR 58,990; September 19, 2002.)
9-14
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Table 9-9. Comparison of Permit-Required Monitoring and Monitoring Data in PCS, for
Direct Discharging Bleached Papergrade Kraft Mills
Direct Discharging BPK Mills with Permit Limits for
Cluster Rules Pollutants
Total
(A=B+C)
Data in PCS for
2004
(B)
No Data in PCS
(as of 2004)
(C)
Mills Without
Permit Limits with
Data in PCS"
Bleach Plant Effluent
TCDD
TCDF
Any Chlorinated
Phenolic Compound
Chloroform
63
63
61
61
41
42
40
28
22
21
21
33
1
1
Final Effluent
AOX
63
37
26
"Excludes permits where pollutants are limited at monitoring locations other than those required by ELGs.
Three of the 67 permits for bleached papergrade kraft mills improperly specified
final effluent rather than bleach plant effluent as the TCDD compliance monitoring point (see
Table 9-5). EPA found that permits for 63 direct discharging bleached papergrade kraft mills
included requirements for monitoring TCDD at the bleach plant, as required by the Cluster
Rules. However, EPA identified bleach plant TCDD monitoring data in PCS for only 41 mills.
Thus, PCS did not contain TCDD data for 22 mills.
EPA contacted Washington State in 2005 and additional permitting authorities in
2006 to determine why 1998 to 2004 mill monitoring data were not available in the PCS. In
2006, EPA called agencies regarding 36 mills and obtained responses regarding 27 mills. EPA
did not identify a systematic reason for missing data. For over half of the mills, the permitting
authority did not provide a specific reason for the missing data. However, in three instances the
permitting authority was able to locate and send EPA the missing data. Below are some stated
reasons for missing monitoring data:
• Monitoring not required between 1998 and 2004 - 3 mills;
• Permitting authority experienced difficulty uploading data either due to
software conflicts or clerical errors - 4 mills;
9-15
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
• Permitting authority behind on uploading data - 1 mill;
• Unusual data or reporting frequency - 4 mills; and
• Permitting authority does not upload in-plant monitoring data to PCS - 4
mills.
EPA amended the Cluster Rules in September 2002 to allow mills the option to
certify to certain bleach plant operating conditions in lieu of monitoring their bleach plant
effluent for chloroform. EPA did not quantify how many mills have taken advantage of this
option, but it may explain why there are fewer data in PCS for chloroform than for the other
Cluster Rules pollutants.
9.3.1.1 Bleach Plant TCDD and TCDF
Too few detectable concentrations were available to conduct a trend analysis on
the basis of calculated mass (grams/year) discharged. As an alternative, EPA counted the
number of mills monitoring for TCDD and TCDF and the number detecting these pollutants at
concentrations above analytical detection limits. Although many mills have more than one
bleach plant, for this analysis EPA counted the number of mills that monitor bleach plant
effluent, not the number of bleach plants.
Table 9-10 presents the number of BPK mills for which TCDD and TCDF bleach
plant and/or final effluent monitoring data were available in PCS over the period 1998 to 200423.
Table 9-10 shows two trends with respect to TCDD bleach plant monitoring at 65 direct
discharging BPK mills. Overall, PCS contains TCDD data for significantly more mills in 2004
than in 1998. While the number of facilities with TCDD data at the final effluent remained fairly
constant during this period, the number of facilities with TCDD data at the bleach plant increased
significantly. During that same period, 13 mills stopped final effluent monitoring; however, in
all cases, the mills stopped monitoring when they were issued a new permit, suggesting that
permit monitoring locations changed. Trends in mill TCDF monitoring follow a similar pattern.
23 In addition to the facilities tabulated in Table 9-10, PCSLoads2002_v4 contained calculated loads for two mills
(International Paper in Pine Bluff, AR and Boise Cascade in St. Helens, OR), but the monthly DMR data for these
mills were unavailable. As a result, data from these mills are not included in the tables in Section 8.3 and EPA's
analysis of compliance monitoring data.
9-16
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
It is important to note that the Cluster Rules do not require final effluent monitoring for TCDD
or TCDF although it may be necessary to ensure compliance with state water quality standards.
Table 9-10. Number of BPK Mills with TCDD and TCDF Monitoring Data in PCS, 1998
through 2004a
TCDD at BP
TCDD at FE
TCDD at either
TCDF at BP
TCDF at FE
TCDF at either
1998
11
33
41
2
14
14
1999
14
34
44
5
15
17
2000
18
34
45
9
15
19
2001
24
34
45
20
15
29
2002
31
30
47
30
14
38
2003
34
32
50
34
13
42
2004
41
30
52
42
12
49
Stopped Monitoring
Between 1998 and
2004
13
3
6
aEPA included 65 direct discharging mills in this review.
FE - Final effluent.
BP - Bleach plant, internal monitoring location.
During the development of the Cluster Rules, EPA calculated the baseline loads
for each bleached papergrade kraft mill that reflect mill operations in 1995. To evaluate the
effectiveness of the Cluster Rules in reducing pollutant discharges, EPA compared the baseline
pollutant load estimated during the development of the ELGs to the discharge load calculated
using PCS data. For its 2005 and 2006 annual reviews of existing ELGs, EPA calculated
pollutant discharges, by category, using data from PCS for 2002 (U.S. EPA, 2006c). EPA
compared the 1995 TCDD loads for the 47 mills with TCDD data in PCS for 2002. EPA also
compared the 1995 TCDF loads for the 38 mills with TCDF in PCS for 2002. The Agency
estimated the overall 1995 baseline load associated with TCDD and TCDF for these mills was
17.9 million TWPE. According to EPA baseline load estimates, if all mills reporting TCDD and
TCDF releases to PCS in 2002 operated under the conditions used to calculate the baseline loads
in 1995, they would have discharged a total of 17.9 million TWPE from TCDD and TCDF. In
2002, the final effluent discharge from one mill (Bowater, Catawba, SC) was responsible for all
of the pulp and paper TCDD discharge. This mill discharged 0.88 grams of TCDD, which
equates to 1.37 million TWPE, a 92 percent reduction from baseline. By 2004, overall TCDD
and TCDF discharge loads for reporting mills were only 6,100 TWPE, more than 99 percent
reduction from the 1995 baseline (see Section 5.0 for detailed discussion of detection of TCDD
and TCDF).
9-17
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
9.3.1.2 Bleach Plant Chlorinated Phenolic Compounds
EPA analyzed the PCS bleach plant effluent chlorinated phenolic compounds
data. This analysis was similar to the analysis of TCDD and TCDF discharges. Again, too few
detectable concentrations were available to analyze discharge loads (grams/year discharged).
Instead, EPA counted the number of mills monitoring for chlorinated phenolic compounds and
the number detecting them at concentrations above analytical detection limits.
Table 9-11 presents the number of mills for which chlorinated phenolic
compounds data were available in PCS for the period 1998 to 2004. By 2004, PCS included
chlorinated phenolic compounds data for approximately 40 of the 65 bleached papergrade kraft
mills. Most of these mills monitor for all 12 of the regulated chlorinated phenolic compounds.
Although the Cluster Rules have ELGs for 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and 2,4,5-
trichlorophenol, no parameter parametric code exists in PCS for either compound. PCS has a
parameter code for total trichlorophenol, as well as total trichlorophenol data for two mills.
Table 9-11 shows that PCS includes 1998 data for trichlorophenol and
pentachlorophenol for two bleached papergrade kraft mills, but no other chlorinated phenolic
compounds. The number of mills monitoring for chlorinated phenolic compounds has increased
steadily over time. As of 2004, PCS included data for one or more chlorinated phenolic
compounds for 40 bleached papergrade kraft mills.
For the 29 mills that reported chlorinated phenolic compound discharges to PCS
in 2002, EPA's estimated 1995 overall baseline load of chlorinated phenolic compounds was
4,178 TWPE. In 2002, EPA's estimated overall discharge load was zero TWPE because all of
these facilities reported zero pounds of chlorinated phenolic compounds.
9-18
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Table 9-11. Number of BPK Mills With Chlorinated Phenolic Compounds Data in PCS,
1998 Through 2004a
Trichlorosyringol
Total Trichlorophenol d
3,4,5-Trichlorocatechol
3,4,5-Trichloroguaiacol
3 ,4,6-Trichlorocatechol
3 ,4,6-Trichloroguaiacol
4,5,6-Trichloroguaiacol
Tetrachlorocatechol
Tetrachloroguaiacol
2,3 ,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol
Pentachlorophenol
Mills Reporting Chlorinated Phenolic Compounds Datab
1998
2
2
1999
o
J
2
3
1
3
o
J
3
3
3
3
5
2000
7
2
7
5
7
6
7
7
7
6
9
2001
18
1
18
14
18
17
18
18
17
17
18
2002
29
2
29
24
29
26
29
29
28
26
29
2003C
33
2
33
28
33
30
33
33
32
30
32
2004
41
2
40
34
40
38
41
41
40
38
40
Stopped
Monitoring
Between
1998 and
2004
1
aEPA included 65 direct discharging mills in this review.
bOperating under a single permit, the Parsons & Whittemore mills (Alabama Pine Pulp and Alabama River Pulp) in
Claiborne, AL reported data for 10 chlorinated phenolic compounds from 2002 through 2004. The identified mill
counts include the two Parsons & Whittemore mills.
'Excludes one mill (Willamette Industries Inc. in Bennetsville, SC), which monitored for 10 chlorinated phenolic
compounds in 2003 and at no other time during the 1998 through 2004 study period.
dCluster Rules include limitations for 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. PCS contains only a total
trichlorophenol parameter.
9.3.1.3
Bleach Plant Chloroform Loads
EPA analyzed PCS bleach plant effluent data for chloroform. Table 9-12 presents
the number of mills for which PCS contains bleach plant chloroform data for the period 1999 to
2004 (PCS contains no bleach plant chloroform data for 1998). The number of mills with
chloroform data in PCS increased steadily from 1999 to 2004 and by 2004, PCS included
chloroform data for 29 of the 67 bleached papergrade kraft mills.
After the April 15, 1998 promulgation of the Cluster Rules, EPA amended the
Subpart B (bleached papergrade kraft and soda) regulations to allow new and existing, direct and
indirect dischargers to demonstrate compliance with the chloroform limits using a self-
certification program. The amendment was promulgated on September 19, 2002. (See 67 FR
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
58990-58998.) In lieu of monitoring, mills may demonstrate compliance with applicable
chloroform limitations and standards by: 1) performing initial monitoring to demonstrate
compliance with the applicable chloroform limitations or standards; 2) certifying that the bleach
plant is not using elemental chlorine or hypochlorite as bleaching agents; and 3) maintaining
records of certain process and operating conditions identified during the compliance
demonstration period.
As a result of this amendment to the Cluster Rules, EPA expected that PCS would
have fewer data for chloroform than for the other Cluster Rules pollutants. This expectation is
confirmed by the data presented in this section. For 2004, PCS has data for TCDD, TCDF,
chlorinated phenolic compounds, and AOX for approximately 40 mills. As shown in Table 9-12,
PCS has chloroform data for 2004 for 29 mills.
Table 9-12. Number of BPK Mills With Chloroform Monitoring Data in PCS, 1998
Through 2004a
Total number of mills with bleach plant
chloroform data in PCS
Number of mills discharging above EPA's
estimate of their 1995 baseline load
Number of mills discharging below EPA's
estimate of their 1995 baseline load
% reduction from baselineb
1998
0
—
—
—
1999
3
-
o
5
99%
2000
7
1
6
99%
2001
13
2
11
97%
2002
22
2
20
98%
2003
26
2
24
98%
2004
29
3
26
98%
aEPA included 67 direct discharging mills in this review.
bPercent reduction is 100 x (EPA estimate of 1995 baseline - PCS load) + (EPA estimate of 1995 baseline).
Unlike TCDD, TCDF, and chlorinated phenolic compounds, chloroform is
typically measured at concentrations above method detection limits, as evidenced by the data in
PCS. For this reason, EPA was able to calculate the load (grams/year) discharged in each mill's
bleach plant effluent. In addition to estimating the annual discharge load for each mill for 1999
to 2004, EPA compared the annual load to the 1995 baseline load it had estimated for the mill,
and tallied the number of mills for which the annual load was above the baseline and the number
below. This information is also included in Table 9-12. This comparison shows that the
majority of mills (e.g., 26 of the 29 reporting in 2004) report loads below the 1995 baseline
loads.
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
EPA also calculated the difference between the estimated annual loads and
baseline loads, and the percent reduction from baseline for the mills with chloroform data in PCS
for each year. Table 9-12 also presents the percent reduction from baseline for each year (1999
to 2004). For the 29 mills with data in PCS in 2004, the total annual load was 98 percent less
than EPA's estimated 1995 baseline for these mills.
During the!998-to-2004 study period, chloroform bleach plant loads at three mills
(Bowater Coosa Pines, AL, Weyerhaeuser, New Bern, NC, and Weyerhaeuser, Columbus, MS)
were greater than EPA's estimate of their 1995 baseline loads. EPA reviewed PCS permit
compliance data for these three mills and determined that they did not violate their chloroform
permit limits during the study period.
ELGs for chloroform are production-normalized (i.e., they are written in terms of
grams of chloroform per air-dried metric ton (ADMT) of production). During the development
of the Cluster Rules, EPA determined that mills that bleached pulp with 100 percent chlorine
dioxide and did not use hypochlorite discharged 0.7 g/ADMT of chloroform in their bleach plant
effluent. Mills that bleached pulp with 50 to 99 percent chlorine dioxide and did not use
hypochlorite discharged 19 g/ADMT of chloroform. EPA estimated baseline chloroform loads
by first determining the bleaching chemicals used on the bleach lines at each mill and
determining the appropriate chloroform discharge rate for the bleach line. Then, EPA multiplied
the discharge rate (g/ADMT) by the bleach line baseline production (ADMT/yr) to calculate the
chloroform discharge (g/yr) (U.S. EPA, 1997).
Weyerhaeuser commented that EPA underestimated the baseline loads for its
Columbus and New Bern mills. Weyerhaeuser commented that at baseline, the Columbus mill
bleached with 50 to 99 percent chlorine, and thus EPA should have used the 19 g/ADMT
chloroform discharge rate to estimate the baseline bleach plant effluent load for this mill.
Weyerhaeuser further commented that EPA's estimated pulp production for the New Bern mill
was about half of the actual production (Schaffer, 2005).
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Using the updated production information provided by Weyerhaeuser and
chloroform discharge loads from PCS, EPA calculated the production-normalized bleach plant
effluent chloroform loads for the New Bern and Columbus mills. As shown in Table 9-13, for
the period 2002 to 2004, the production-normalized chloroform discharges were less than the
BAT monthly average effluent limitation guideline.
Table 9-13. Production-Normalized Bleach Plant Effluent Chloroform Loads for Two
Weyerhaeuser Mills
1998 Model
Mill Baseline
Discharge
Rate
(g/ADMT)
2000
(g/ADMT)
2001
(g/ADMT)
2002
(g/ADMT)
2003
(g/ADMT)
2004
(g/ADMT)
BAT Monthly Avg. Limit: 4.14 g/ADMT
Chloroform Group D: 50 to
99% C1O2, No Hypochlorite
Chloroform Group E: 100%
C1O2, No Hypochlorite
Weyerhaeuser, New Bern
(NC0003191)
Weyerhaeuser, Columbus
(MS0036412)
19
0.7
NR
1.4
NR
2.3
0.4
3.0
0.3
2.9
0.4
1.8
NR - Not reported; PCS does not contain chloroform monitoring data.
ADMT - Rate of production; air-dried metric tons.
In addition to the two Weyerhaeuser mills, EPA found that the chloroform bleach
plant loads from Bowater, Coosa Pines AL were greater than EPA's estimated 1995 baseline
loads. However, Bowater did not provide any information about the production or chloroform
discharges from its Coosa Pines, AL mill, so EPA could not determine how this mill's discharges
compare to the BAT effluent limitations.
9.3.1.4
Final Effluent AOX Loads
EPA analyzed PCS data for AOX. AOX is typically measured in final mill
effluents at concentrations above method detection limits. Consequently, EPA was able to
calculate discharge loads (kg/year) for each mill. Table 9-14 presents the number of BPK mills
for which PCS contained monitoring data for AOX for the period 1998 to 2004. PCS included
data for AOX for 17 mills in 1998, increasing to 38 mills by 2004.
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Table 9-14. Number of BPK Mills With AOX Monitoring Data in PCS, by Year and
Relative Baseline Loads3
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
AOX
Total number of mills with AOX data in
PCS
Number of mills discharging above EPA's
estimate of their 1995 baseline load
Number of mills discharging below EPA's
estimate of their 1995 baseline load
% load reduction from baseline
17
4
13
60%
19
4
15
66%
21
4
17
70%
27
3
24
74%
35
8
27
69%
41
8
33
66%
38
8
30
61%
aEPA included 67 direct discharge mills in this review.
In addition to estimating annual discharge loads of AOX, for each mill for 1998 to
2004, EPA compared the annual load to the 1995 baseline load it had estimated for the mill, and
tallied the number of mills for which the annual load was above the baseline and the number
below. This information is also included in Table 9-14. This comparison shows that the
majority of mills (e.g., 30 of the 38 mills with data in PCS for 2004) report loads below the
facility-specific 1995 baseline loads. Of the eight mills with discharge load of AOX above the
1995 baseline loads, one was in violation of its permit limits. The other mills may have
increased AOX discharges as a result of increased production. EPA did not collect production
information, so could not determine if this was the cause.
EPA calculated the annual AOX discharge load for the years 1998 to 2004.
During the study period, based on monthly measurements reported as not detected or with other
PCS "no data" indicators, the annual loads for five mills were zero (kg/yr). Zero loads are
included in the trend analysis presented in Table 9-14. EPA calculated the difference between
the estimated annual loads and baseline loads, and the percent reduction from baseline. Table 9-
14 presents the percent reduction from baseline for all reporting mills, for each year from 1998 to
2004. The calculated annual load for most mills is below EPA's estimate of their baseline loads.
For the 38 mills with AOX data in PCS for 2004, the total annual load was 61 percent less than
EPA's 1995 baseline loadings for the mills.
Changes in production or bleaching activities might have occurred at each of
these mills after 1995. As noted at the beginning of this section, discharges of AOX and
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
chloroform are related to pulp production, while measured discharge concentrations of TCDD,
TCDF, and chlorinated phenolic compounds are below analytical method minimum levels and
thus not related to production. If mill production and bleaching changed after 1995, AOX
discharge loads might no longer be comparable to 1995 estimates. For example, Weyerhaeuser
Port Wentworth has recently switched from a softwood/hardwood mix to 100 percent softwood
production, which may contribute to an increase in both AOX and color in the final effluent
(Schaffer, 2005).
The Weyerhaeuser Flint River Mill is classified as a minor discharger by the state
of Georgia; therefore, PCS does not contain discharge data for that mill. The mill provided EPA
with final effluent monitoring data for AOX, color, and various other conventional pollutants
that are measured at the facility (Parker, 2005). Table 9-15 shows AOX and color loads for this
mill; the AOX load was significantly below EPA's estimated baseline loads.
Table 9-15. Weyerhaeuser Flint River Mill (Oglethorpe GA) Calculated Annual Load
Compared to EPA Estimated Baseline Load
Weyerhaeuser/Flint River Mill
Oglethorpe, GA
Pollutant
AOX
Color
EPA's
Estimated
Baseline Load
(kg/yr)
213,629
13,695,500
Highest
Measured
Load (yr)
2002
2004
2004 Load
(kg/yr)
24,200
12,470,000
9.3.1.5
Washington State Bleached Papergrade Kraft Mills
During this detailed review, EPA found that data from only two of the six
Washington State mills are included in PCS from 1998 through 2004. As of 2004, six active
pulp and paper mills were located in Washington State, including five bleached papergrade kraft
and one Segment B papergrade sulfite mill. In 2004, each of these mills monitored mill bleach
plant effluent for TCDD and TCDF. Typically, these data are submitted to the Washington
Department of Ecology, imported into the state's database (the Water Quality Permit Lifecycle
System), examined for compliance by the state, and transferred to EPA's PCS system. Because
of an error in this transfer process, data for Washington State bleached papergrade kraft and
papergrade sulfite mills were not transferred to PCS.
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
EPA contacted the Washington Department of Ecology about the missing data.
The Department of Ecology provided bleach plant concentration data for each of its active mills,
but no discharge flow data (Lange, 2005b). Table 9-16 summarizes the reported TCDD and
TCDF data for Washington State bleached papergrade kraft mills. Data for the papergrade
sulfite mill are discussed in the next section. Table 9-16 lists the number of times the pollutant
was detected during the reporting year and the number of measurements. For example, the
TCDD counts for 2001 for Boise, Wallula are shown as 0/6. This means that none of the six
TCDD measurements made in 2001 were "detected."
As shown in Table 9-16, TCDF was detected in bleach plant effluent from two of
the Washington State bleached papergrade kraft mills. Although the Boise, Wallula and
Weyerhaeuser, Longview mills detected TCDF, the concentrations were less than the Cluster
Rules daily maximum limitation (31.9 pg/L).
Table 9-16. Counts of TCDD and TCDF Detected in Washington State Phase I Mill Bleach
Plant Effluent
NPDES Permit
Dates
Pollutant
Number of Detects/Number of Measurements
2001
2002
2003
2004
Bleached Papergrade Kraft Mills
Boise, Wallula
(WA0003697)
Simpson Tacoma
Kraft, Tacoma
(WA0000850)
Weyerhaeuser,
Longview
(WA0000124)
James River3
(Georgia-Pacific),
Camas
(WA0000256)
issued: 7/1/01
expires: 7/1/06
issued: 11/1/01
expires: 11/1/06
issued: 6/1/04
expires: 6/1/09
issued: 4/15/03
expires: 4/15/08
TCDD
TCDF
TCDD
TCDF
TCDD
TCDF
TCDD
TCDF
0/6
2/6
0/1
0/1
NR
NR
NR
NR
0/12
1/12
0/12
0/12
NR
NR
NR
NR
0/12
0/12
0/12
0/12
NR
NR
K4: 0/8
K5: 0/8
K4: 0/8
K5: 0/8
0/12
2/12
0/12
0/12
0/7
3/7
K4: 0/12
K5: 0/12
K4: 0/12
K5: 0/12
aThe James River in Camas, WA monitors TCDD and TCDF at two fiber lines (K4 and K5).
NR - The mill did not monitor for that pollutant.
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
9.3.1.6 Summary: Analysis of Bleached Papergrade Kraft Compliance Monitoring
Data
EPA reviewed PCS data for the period 1998 to 2004 to evaluate the effect of the
Cluster Rules on BPK mill discharges. Since the promulgation of the Cluster Rules, discharges
of regulated pollutants have decreased significantly. EPA's findings for specific pollutants are
shown in Table 9-17, and summarized below:
• TCDD and TCDF discharges for reporting BPK mills were only 6,100
TWPE, more than 99 percent reduction from baseline;
• No mills reported discharges of chlorinated phenolic compounds;
• For the 29 mills with chloroform data in PCS in 2004, the total annual
load was 98 percent less than EPA's estimated 1995 baseline for these
mills; and
• For the 38 mills with AOX data in PCS in 2004, the total annual load was
61 percent less than EPA's 1995 baseline for these mills.
Table 9-17. Trends in BPK Mill Discharges of Cluster Rules Regulated Pollutants
Regulated
Pollutants
TCDD + TCDF
12 chlorinated
phenolic compounds
Chloroform
AOXb
1995
TWPEa
17.9
million
4,180
1,877
17 million
pounds
2002
TWPE
1.3 million
0
31
12 million
pounds
Number of Mills
Monitoring
47 for TCDD
3 8 for TCDF
29
22
35
2004
TWPE
6,100
0
35
15 million
pounds
Number of Mills
Monitoring
52 for TCDD
49 for TCDF
41
29
38
aEPA estimated baseline TWPE for the mills monitoring for the pollutant in 2004.
bAOX is a bulk parameter with no toxic weighting factor, so pounds (not TWPE) are presented.
9.3.2
Papergrade Sulfite
As discussed in Section 9.2.3, at the time the Cluster Rules were promulgated, 11
papergrade sulfite mills operated in the United States. EPA identified six papergrade sulfite
mills operating in 2004. These six mills include four mills that produce pulp using calcium,
magnesium, or sodium sulfite acidic cooking liquors (Segment A) and two mills that produce
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
pulp using an ammonium sulfite acidic liquor (Segment B). Monitoring results for one of these
six mills (Domtar, Port Edwards) were analyzed with the bleached papergrade kraft mill data,
because this mill shares a wastewater treatment facility and an NPDES permit with the Domtar
Nekoosa bleached papergrade kraft mill.
Cluster Rules ELGs for papergrade sulfite mills differ from the ELGs for
bleached papergrade kraft mills. As summarized in Table 9-3, the ELGs for direct discharging
papergrade sulfite mills include:
• Segment A: Limits only for AOX in final effluent; and
• Segment B: Bleach plant limits for TCDD, TCDF, and chlorinated
phenolic compounds.
Data are available in PCS for only two papergrade sulfite mills: one magnesium
sulfite mill (Segment A) and one ammonium sulfite mill (Segment B). In addition to data from
PCS, EPA obtained bleach plant effluent monitoring data for another ammonium sulfite mill
from the state of Washington. Available compliance monitoring data for each segment is
discussed below.
9.3.2.1 Calcium-, Magnesium-, or Sodium-Based Sulfite Mills (Segment A)
Although the Cluster Rules require Segment A mills to monitor AOX at the final
effluent, permits for the three Segment A mills require AOX monitoring at the bleach plant
effluent. However, PCS contains no AOX bleach plant monitoring data for the three mills for
1998 through 2004. For this reason, EPA cannot compare Segment A mill discharges to the
Cluster Rules limitations. EPA notes, however, that the concentrations of TCDD and TCDF in
final effluent reported for one Segment A mill (Weyerhaeuser, Rothschild, WI) were below the
Method 1613B detection limit.
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
9.3.2.2
Ammonium-Based Sulfite Mills (Segment B)
For Segment B, the Cluster Rules require bleach plant monitoring for TCDD,
TCDF, and chlorinated phenolic compounds. PCS includes monitoring data for all Cluster Rules
pollutants for one mill (Finch Pruyn in Glens Falls, NY) and data for Kimberly-Clark (K-C),
Everett, WA were provided by Washington State (Lange, 2005b). As shown in Table 9-18, for
the period 2001 through 2004, neither TCDD nor TCDF was detected in samples of Finch Pruyn
bleach plant effluent. Finch Pruyn experienced periods of low paper production from 2001
through 2004 due to labor and market conditions, so discharges during that period do not reflect
normal mill operations. As shown in Table 5-1, K-C has not detected TCDD above the Method
1613 ML since it converted to 100 percent chlorine dioxide bleaching in October 2000.
However, K-C repeatedly detected TCDF in its bleach plant effluent from 2001 to 2004. The
TCDF in the K-C bleach plant effluent are discussed in more detail in Section 5.2.2.
Table 9-18. Loads for Two Papergrade Ammonium Sulfite Mills, 2001 through 2004
Number of Detects/Number of Measurements
2001
(kg/y)
2002
(kg/y)
2003
(kg/y)
2004
(kg/y)
Kimberly-Clark, Everett, WA
TCDD (bleach plant)
TCDF (bleach plant)
2/12
13/14
0/13
12/13
1/17
16/17
0/14
10/12
Finch Pruyn; Glens Falls, NYa
TCDD (bleach plant)
TCDF (bleach plant)
0/8
0/8
0/12
0/12
0/12
0/12
0/12
0/12
a2001 to 2004 was a period of low production due to labor and market conditions.
9.3.2.3
Summary of Papergrade Sulfite Mill Compliance Data
EPA reviewed PCS data for the period 1998 to 2004 to evaluate the effect of the
Cluster Rules on papergrade sulfite mill discharges. EPA's findings are summarized below:
As of 2004, there were only 6 operating papergrade sulfite mills,
compared to 11 in 1998. Four are subject to Segment A and two are
subject to Segment B.
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
• AOX is the only parameter limited for Segment A papergrade sulfite mill
discharges. PCS does not contain any AOX data for any Segment A
facilities.
• PCS contains data for only one Segments mill. However, these data do
not reflect normal mill operations because they were collected during a
low period of production.
• Therefore, EPA can not use PCS data to make any conclusions about the
effect of the Cluster Rules on discharges from the papergrade sulfite mills.
• Data provided by Washington Sate show that a second Segment B mill
repeatedly detected TCDF in its bleach plant effluent. However, as
discussed in 5.2.2, these high concentrations were reduced when the mill
upgraded its chlorine dioxide generator.
9.4 Dioxin-Related Fish Consumption Advisories
The Economic Analysis for the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
Pollutants for Source Category: Pulp and Paper Production; Effluent Limitations Guidelines,
Pretreatment Standards, and New Source Performance Standards: Pulp, Paper, andPaperboard
Category—Phase 7, published in October 1997, listed 19 dioxin-related fish consumption
advisories on 17 water bodies in the United States that EPA predicted would be "lifted three
years after dioxin discharges from pulp and paper mills are reduced as a result of implementation
of the final rule." In 2006, EPA reviewed these 19 advisories to determine whether they had been
lifted after the final Cluster Rules went into effect on April 15, 1998, the reasons the advisories
were rescinded or maintained, and the current status of the advisories.
EPA found that 8 of the 19 advisories listed in the Economic Analysis were fully
rescinded and 8 were partially rescinded by 2006. Of the 16 advisories that were fully or
partially rescinded, 9 were fully or partially rescinded after the Cluster Rules were promulgated
while the remaining 7 were fully or partially rescinded prior to its promulgation.
Sixteen of the 17 water bodies listed in the 1997 Economic Analysis showed
decreases in dioxin24 concentrations in fish tissue samples by 2006. Dioxin levels in the Houston
24 The states included in the analysis presented in this section use a variety of analytes to establish their fish
consumption advisories, predominantly TEQ or TCDD and TCDF. For this reason, in this section, the term "dioxin"
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Ship Channel remained relatively constant in sediment and fish tissue between 1992 and 2002,
due to ongoing inputs from urban and industrial areas and resuspension of contaminated
sediments (Suarez, 2005).
9.4.1 Information Sources
Sources of information include the US EPA's National Listing of Fish and
Wildlife Advisories: Advisory Report Query web site, fish advisory web pages on state
departments of health and state departments of environmental protection web sites, reports and
scientific publications on dioxin, fish advisories, and watershed planning, and scientists and staff
at state departments of health and state departments of environmental protection.
9.4.2 Current Status of Dioxin-related Fish Consumption Advisories Listed in the
1997 Economic Analysis
Table 9-19 presents the current status of the 19 dioxin-related fish consumption
advisories listed in the 1997 Economic Analysis. It is important to note that the list was based on
advisories in effect in December 1995, which explains why a few of the advisories included were
rescinded prior to the 1998 promulgation of the Cluster Rules.
LOUISIANA
The three water bodies in Louisiana with fish consumption advisories for dioxin
listed in the 1997 Economic Analysis are located downstream of an International Paper mill. One
advisory for dioxin was rescinded and one was amended prior to the promulgation of the Cluster
Rules. Since the Cluster Rules went into effect in 1998, none of the advisories have been
modified or rescinded.
is used to refer to TEQ or TCDD and TCDF.
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Table 9-19. Current Status of Dioxin-Related Fish Consumption Advisories Listed in the 1997 Economic Analysis
State
LA
ME
MI
MS
NC
NH
TN
TX
VA
WI
Water Body
Bayou LaFourche
Lake Irwin
Wham Brake
Androscoggin River
Kennebec River
Penobscot River
Menominee River
Escatawpa River
Albemarle Sound
Chowan River
Pigeon River
Roanoke River
Welch Creek
Androscoggin River
Pigeon River
Houston Ship Channel
Neches River
Blackwater River
Wisconsin River
Year Advisory was Fully or Partially
Rescinded
Modified in 1996.
Rescinded December 1996.
Not rescinded.
Modified in 1997 and 2000.
Modified in 1997 and 2000.
Modified in 1997.
Rescinded January 1998.
Rescinded July 1996.
Partially rescinded in 2001.
Rescinded December 2000.
Rescinded 2001.
Partially rescinded in 2001.
Partially rescinded in 2001.
Not rescinded.
Partially rescinded January 2003 and fully
rescinded January 2004.
Not rescinded.
Rescinded December 1995.
Rescinded March 1998.
Partially rescinded in December 2002.
2006 Advisory
2 meals/month for all fish.
None.
No consumption by the general population of any fish.
6-12 meals/year for all fish.
1-2 bass meals/month and 5 trout meals/year.
1-2 meals/month for all fish.
None.
None.
General population: 1 meal/month for carp and catfish. Populations
potentially at greater risk: No consumption of carp and catfish.
None.
None.
General population: 1 meal/month of carp and catfish. Populations
potentially at greater risk: No consumption of carp and catfish.
General population: 1 meal/month of carp and catfish. Populations
potentially at greater risk: No consumption of carp and catfish.
No consumption of all freshwater fish.
None.
General population: 1 meal/month for all fish and for shellfish-
crustacean-blue crab. Populations potentially at greater risk: No
consumption offish and shellfish-crustacean-blue crab.
None.
None.
From dam at Nekoosa to Petenwell Dam: No consumption of any carp or
catfish-channel > 25' in length. From Petenwell Dam to Castle Rock
Dam: No consumption of carp.
VO
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Bayou LaFourche
The fish consumption advisory for dioxin to avoid all consumption of black
crappie and to limit consumption of all other fish to two meals per month was replaced in 1996
by an advisory to limit consumption of all fish to two meals per month (Hartley, 2001). Fish
tissue sampling conducted in 2001 showed a slight decline in dioxin concentrations from 1987,
but the decline was not sufficient to warrant the removal of the advisory, which requires that
dioxin concentrations be below the state's action level of 2 parts per trillion (ppt) (Solieau,
2006).
Lake Irwin
The fish consumption advisory for dioxin was rescinded in December 1996 after
fish tissue samples demonstrated that dioxin concentrations were below the state's action level of
2 ppt. Five fish tissue samples of two different species taken in 2001 confirmed continued low
levels of dioxin in all tissue samples but one, which was considered to be an outlier (Solieau,
2006; Piehler, 2006).
Wham Brake
The fish consumption advisory for dioxin recommending no consumption by the
general population of any fish has been in place since the Cluster Rules were promulgated. Fish
tissue sampling documented an observable declining trend in TCDD and TCDF between 1987
and 2001, although the decline was not great enough to warrant rescinding or modifying the
advisory (Hartley, 2001).
MAINE
Fish tissue sampling between 1997 and 2005 in the three rivers in Maine with fish
consumption advisories for dioxin listed in the 1997 Economic Analysis has demonstrated
declining trends in dioxin concentrations. Nevertheless, tissue samples taken from the
Androscoggin and Penobscot Rivers have higher dioxin concentrations than samples taken from
reference streams. These continued elevated dioxin levels may be partially attributed to the
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
legacy of dioxin (Upgren, 2006a; MDEP, 2006). While dioxin concentrations in fish tissue
samples taken from the Kennebec River are similar to those taken from reference streams, the
Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Dioxin Moni taring Report recommends
continuing sampling efforts to verify low levels of dioxin in trout, which are heavily fished in the
reach below the SAPPI Somerset bleached papergrade kraft mill (MDEP, 2006).
Androscoggin River
The advisory for dioxin on the Androscoggin River was amended to limit fish
consumption to 6 meals per year in 1997 and to 6 to 12 meals per year in 2000. Fish tissue
samples show a declining trend in dioxin concentrations between 1997 and 2005 on three of the
five reaches of the Androscoggin River sampled and a significant decrease in concentrations in
2004 and 2005 on a fourth reach. The lack of a declining trend at one reach may be due to its
position in an impoundment, where settleable solids are deposited. Despite the overall declining
trend, dioxin concentrations were higher in fish sampled from the Androscoggin River than from
reference stations on other Maine rivers. Continued elevated levels of dioxin "are likely the
legacy of the long history of discharges," according to the Maine Department of Environmental
Protection's Dioxin Monitoring Report (MDEP, 2006). Sampling in 2003 and 2004 documented
that neither the International Paper mill in Jay nor the NewPage Corporation mill in Rumford are
discharging measurable amounts of dioxin, in accordance with Maine's 1997 Dioxin Law, which
prohibits dioxin discharges into receiving waters (MDEP, 2006).25
Kennebec River
The dioxin-related advisory for the Kennebec River was revised in 1997 to limit
fish consumption to one to two meals per month and in 2000 to limit consumption to one to two
bass meals per month and five trout meals per year.
25 The Maine legislature enacted LC 1633 "An Act to Make Fish in Maine Rivers Safe to Eat and Reduce Color
Pollution" in 1997. Known as the "Dioxin/Color Law," it includes three compliance dates. It prohibits bleached
papergrade kraft mills from discharging dioxin into their receiving waters after December 31, 2002, requires that
TCDD in bleach plant effluent be below 10 parts per quadrillion (ppq) by July 31, 1998, and requires that TCDF be
below 10 ppq by December 31, 1999. It also mandates that fish tissue sampling be conducted to confirm that fish
sampled downstream of a bleached papergrade kraft mill have no more dioxin than fish sampled upstream of the
mill (MDEP, 2006).
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Dioxin concentrations in fish tissue samples from 2002 and 2005 are significantly
lower than those from the mid-1990s and 2001, and dioxin concentrations from 2005 are similar
to those measured in reference stations in previous years (MDEP, 2006). Due to these decreases
in dioxin levels, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to relax the
fish consumption advisory for dioxin on the Kennebec River in 2006 (Mowers, 2006). Fish
sampling in 2003 and 2004 has shown that the SAPPI Somerset bleached papergrade kraft mill is
not discharging dioxin into its receiving waters, in accordance with the 1997 Dioxin/Color Law.
Penobscot River
The advisory for dioxin for the Penobscot River was revised in 1997 to limit
consumption to one to two meals per month for all fish. Fish samples taken below the Lincoln
Paper and Tissue Company mill between 1997 and 2005 show declining trends in dioxin
concentrations, though the decline in TCDD concentrations was marginal. These results are
consistent with the decrease in concentrations of TCDD and TCDF observed in sludge and in
effluent since the mill switched its bleaching process to primarily oxygen-based bleaching in
1999. However, TCDD concentrations in fish tissue samples are higher than those measured at
the reference station. Below the other mill on the Penobscot River, the Georgia-Pacific mill, fish
tissue samples demonstrated declining trends in TCDD concentrations between 1997 and 2005.
Monitoring of bleach plant effluent from the Georgia-Pacific mill showed no discharge of dioxin
from 2003 through 2005 (MDEP, 2006).
MICHIGAN
Menominee River
The fish consumption advisory on the Menominee River was rescinded in January
1998 after the state documented dioxin concentrations in fish tissue samples below the state's
trigger level of 10 ppt for two different years. This occurred after the Champion International
(now International Paper) mill changed its pulp bleaching technologies. The state of Michigan is
currently working to revise its dioxin trigger level, which is expected to be an order of magnitude
lower than the current trigger level (Upgren, 2006e).
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
MISSISSIPPI
Escatawpa River
The fish consumption advisory on the Escatawpa River was rescinded in July
1996. The advisory was lifted after the state recorded dioxin concentrations in fish tissue
samples below the state's action level of 5 ppt for two consecutive years, which occurred after
International Paper ceased to use chlorine in its bleaching process. Sampling through the early
2000s confirmed continued low levels of dioxin (Upgren, 2006h).
NORTH CAROLINA
Three fish consumption advisories for dioxin were partially rescinded and two
were fully rescinded in 2000 and 2001 after fish tissue samples taken in the mid-to-late 1990s
showed decreased levels of dioxin in the five North Carolina water bodies listed in the 1997
Economic Analysis.
Albemarle Sound
The dioxin-related advisory to avoid consumption of all fish from the Albemarle
Sound except herring, shad, and shellfish was partially rescinded in 2001. It was replaced by an
advisory for the general population to limit consumption of carp and catfish to one meal per
month and for populations potentially at greater risk to avoid all consumption of carp and catfish.
Weyerhaeuser Company, which discharges mill effluent approximately 7 miles
upstream from Albemarle Sound, is required by North Carolina to conduct fish tissue sampling
for dioxin in the Sound. Weyerhaeuser changed its bleaching process from chlorine-based
bleaching in 1994. In October 2001, the advisory was lifted for game fish after dioxin
concentrations in fish tissue were below the state's action level for dioxin of 4 ppt for
consecutive years (NCDENR, 2002; 2006; Upgren, 2006d).
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Chowan River
The fish consumption advisory for dioxin was partially rescinded in 1998 and
fully rescinded in December 2000 after dioxin concentrations in fish tissue samples showed
levels below the state's action level for dioxin of 4 ppt for two consecutive years (1998 and
1999). The advisory was enacted in 1990 as a result of dioxin contamination attributed to the
Union Camp (now International Paper) mill in Franklin, VA. After the mill implemented new
bleaching processes in 1990, annual tissue sampling demonstrated a declining trend in dioxin
concentrations. Fish tissue sampling conducted in 2001 confirmed continued low levels of
dioxin (NCDENR, 2002; 2006).
Pigeon River
The fish consumption advisory for dioxin for the Pigeon River was rescinded in
August 2001. Fish tissue sampling conducted between 1989 and 1995 showed a declining trend
in dioxin contamination. Between 1996 and 2001, tissue sampling demonstrated dioxin levels
below the state's action level for dioxin of 4 ppt, which prompted the removal of the
consumption advisory (NCDENR, 2006; Denton, 2002).
Roanoke River
The advisory to avoid consumption of all fish except herring, shad, and shellfish
due to dioxin contamination was partially rescinded in 2001. It was replaced by an advisory for
the general population to limit consumption of carp and catfish to one meal per month and for
populations potentially at greater risk to avoid all consumption of carp and catfish.
Weyerhaeuser Company, which discharges mill effluent near the confluence of
Welch Creek and the Roanoke River, stopped using chlorine-based bleaching in 1994. In 2001,
the advisory was lifted for game fish after dioxin concentrations in fish tissue were below the
state's action level for dioxin of 4 ppt. In 2006, the state recommended continuing to conduct
fish tissue sampling efforts and to lift the advisory when there is no longer a risk to human health
from the consumption offish (NCDENR, 2001; 2006).
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
Welch Creek
The advisory to avoid consumption of all fish was rescinded in 2001 and replaced
by an advisory for the general population to limit consumption of carp and catfish to one meal
per month and for populations potentially at greater risk to avoid all consumption of carp and
catfish.
Weyerhaeuser Company, which discharges mill effluent near the confluence of
Welch Creek and the Roanoke River, is required by North Carolina to conduct fish tissue
sampling for dioxin. Weyerhaeuser changed its bleaching process from chlorine-based bleaching
in 1994. In 2001, the mill submitted fish tissue sampling data that showed dioxin concentrations
in game fish below the state's action level of 4 ppt (NCDENR, 2006).
Elevated dioxin levels in Welch Creek have led EPA and other federal and state
agencies to conduct a feasibility study to examine options to clean up dioxin contaminated solids
on the streambed. Potential options include monitored natural recovery, site remediation and
testing, capping, dredging, or a combination of these options. The study was scheduled to be
completed by mid-2006 (NCDENR, 2001; 2006; U.S. EPA, 2006a).
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Androscoggin River
The dioxin-related advisory for the Androscoggin River has limited consumption
to one to two meals per year of all fish for the general population and to no consumption for
pregnant and nursing women since the Cluster Rules were promulgated. Dioxin is attributed to
the Fraser Paper N.H. (formerly named Pulp and Paper of America, James River, and Crown
Vantage, Inc.) mill in Berlin, NH, which implemented an elemental chlorine-free process in
1994. Following this change in bleaching technology, dioxin levels in mill effluent decreased to
undetectable levels (Schnepper, 2006; MDEP, 2006).
Although the mill is required to sample fish tissue for dioxin every five years, the
most recent sampling in 2004 was improperly conducted and resulted in unusable data. The state
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
of New Hampshire is currently working with the mill to correct sampling procedures. Because
the Androscoggin flows into New Hampshire from Maine and then back into Maine, New
Hampshire has decided to maintain its fish consumption advisory until Maine rescinds its
advisory for the Androscoggin River (Schnepper, 2006; Upgren, 2003f).
TENNESSEE
Pigeon River
The fish consumption advisory for dioxin for the Pigeon River in Tennessee was
partially rescinded in January 2003 and fully rescinded in January 2004. An advisory to avoid
consumption of all fish was originally issued in 1989 when dioxin levels in fish tissue samples
exceeded the state's 5 ppt posting trigger. Fish tissue data collected between 1989 and 1995
demonstrated a drop in dioxin contamination after the Champion Paper Mill in Canton, NC (now
Blue Ridge Paper Products) implemented enhanced pollution control practices. The decline in
dioxin levels led the state to revise its advisory in 1996 to only limit the consumption of
redbreast sunfish, carp, and catfish. Tissue sampling from the mid-1990s through the early
2000s demonstrated further reductions in dioxin concentrations, with levels consistently below 1
ppt for game and rough fish and below 2 ppt for catfish. As a result, the state's Division of
Water Pollution Control recommended rescinding the fish consumption advisory in 2002
(Denton, 2002).
TEXAS
Houston Ship Channel
The advisory for dioxin for the Houston Ship Channel limits fish consumption by
the general population to one meal per month for all fish and shellfish and recommends no
consumption offish or shellfish by populations potentially at greater risk. The Houston Ship
Channel was the only water body among the 17 included in the 1997 Economic Analysis that did
not show decreased dioxin concentrations by 2006. According to Larry Koenig of the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), dioxin levels in fish tissue samples have
remained flat between the early 1990s and 2005, the year of the most recent data (Upgren,
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
20061). A 2002 study funded by the TCEQ and the Texas Advanced Technology Program
explained that "despite regulatory controls on discharges from pulp and paper mills, there has
been little change over the last 10 years in dioxin concentrations in sediment and tissue from the
Houston Ship Channel" (Suarez, 2005). These continued elevated dioxin concentrations are
attributed to the resuspension of contaminated sediments and ongoing inputs from urban and
industrial sources (Suarez, 2005). Another source appears to be a submerged paper mill waste
disposal pit that was closed in the 1970s but was recently found to have extremely elevated
dioxin levels (sediment TEQ of 32,752 ng/kg-dry wt) (Koenig, 2006). This waste pit was
recently sampled by EPA's Region 6 under the Superfund Program.
Neches River
The fish consumption advisory for the Neches River was rescinded in December
1995 following a decrease in dioxin concentrations in fish tissue samples. After it ceased using
chlorine bleaching processes in the early 1990s, the Temple-Inland Forest Products (now
MeadWestvaco) mill noticed a decline in dioxin concentrations in its fish tissue samples. The
mill alerted the state to this drop in dioxin levels, prompting the state to conduct its own
sampling, which confirmed the decrease in dioxin. No sampling for dioxins has been conducted
on the Neches River since the advisory was removed (Upgren, 2006g).
VIRGINIA
Blackwater River
The fish consumption advisory for dioxin on the Blackwater River was rescinded
in March 1998 after fish tissue sampling showed dioxin concentrations below the state's action
level of 7 ppt for the previous five years. The International Paper (formerly Union Camp) mill
began to use dioxin controls in 1990 and completely ceased using chlorine in 1996 after
implementing a chlorine dioxide generation process (NCDENR, 1997).
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin River
The advisory for dioxin on the Wisconsin River recommending no consumption
of white bass or common carp from the dam at Nekoosa to the Petenwell Dam and no
consumption of common carp from the Petenwell Dam to the Castle Rock Dam was replaced in
December 2002. The current advisory recommends avoiding consumption of all carp and
channel catfish longer than 25" from the dam at Nekoosa to the Petenwell Dam and avoiding
consumption of all carp from the Petenwell Dam to the Castle Rock Dam. The state began
sampling for dioxin in the 1980s and suspended commercial fishing for carp from Nekoosa to the
Castle Rock Dam due to dioxin in 1983. The state has observed a decrease in dioxin
concentrations in fish tissue samples since the 1980s (Upgren, 2006c). Fish tissue sampling
conducted by the state and the NCASI in 2004 documented low dioxin levels, and testing for the
17 congeners found no TCDD or TCDF (Upgren, 2006b).
9.4.3 Summary
Dioxin levels in fish tissue samples have declined in all but 1 of the 17 water
bodies listed in the 1997 Economic Analysis. These declines appear to have occurred following
the shift away from chlorine bleaching processes at the pulp, paper, and paperboard mills located
on these rivers and lakes. However, dioxin concentrations remain above states' acceptable levels
in 10 of the 17 water bodies, preventing over half of the 19 advisories from being fully
rescinded. Elevated dioxin levels in these water bodies may be due to the legacy of the long
history of dioxin discharges as well as to other dioxin sources such as industrial and urban
runoff.
9.5 Detailed Study Findings About Cluster Rules Implementation and Impact
One of the purposes of this detailed study is to determine how the 1998 Cluster
Rules have been implemented and their effect on mill discharges. EPA evaluated the
implementation of the Cluster Rules by reviewing 79 permits from operating Phase I mills and
selected POTWs. EPA evaluated the effect of the Cluster Rules by analyzing Phase I mill
9-40
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Section 9.0- Cluster Rule Implementation and Impact
discharge data reported to PCS for the period 1998 to 2004 and reviewing the status of dioxin-
related fish consumption advisories. Based on this review, EPA found:
Cluster Rules ELGs have been incorporated into the majority (91 percent,
or 61 out of 67) of active permits for direct dischargers. The remaining
six permits do not yet include Cluster Rule limits because the revised
permits are either being contested or have not been reissued since
promulgation. In addition, permits for two mills with discharges in
Subpart E allow them to demonstrate compliance with the AOX limit at
alternate monitoring locations.
EPA reviewed PCS data for the period 1998 to 2004 to evaluate the effect
of the Cluster Rules on BPK mill discharges and found:
— TCDD and TCDF discharges for reporting BPK mills were only
6,100 TWPE, more than 99 percent reduction from baseline,
— No mills reported discharges of chlorinated phenolic compounds,
— For the 29 mills with chloroform data in PCS in 2004, the total
annual load was 98 percent less than EPA's estimated 1995
baseline for these mills, and
— For the 38 mills with AOX data in PCS in 2004, the total annual
load was 61 percent less than EPA's 1995 baseline for these mills.
EPA reviewed PCS data for the period 1998 to 2004 to evaluate the effect
of the Cluster Rules on papergrade sulfite mill discharge and found:
— As of 2004, there were only six operating papergrade sulfite mills.
— PCS has effluent monitoring data for two of these mills.
— TCDD and TCDF discharges from the Kimberly-Clark mill in
Everett, WA are not typical of other mills in the category. These
discharges are discussed in Section 5.2.2 and 5.3.3.4.
Dioxin levels in fish tissue samples have declined in all but 1 of the 17
water bodies listed in the 1997 Economic Analysis. These declines appear
to have occurred following the shift away from chlorine bleaching
processes at the pulp and paper mills located on these rivers and lakes.
However, dioxin concentrations remain above states' acceptable levels in
10 of the 17 water bodies, preventing over half of the 19 advisories from
being fully rescinded. Elevated dioxin levels in these water bodies may be
due to the legacy of the long history of dioxin discharges as well as to
other dioxin sources such as industrial and urban runoff.
9-41
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Section 10- References
10.0 REFERENCES
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Program, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. (June 7). DCN 03890
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2001. United States Paper, Paperboard, and Market Pulp
Capacity Trends by Process and Location, 1970-2000. FPL-RP-602 (October). DCN 04048
10-5
-------
Section 10- References
U.S. EPA. 1993. Development Document for Proposed Effluent Limitations Guidelines and
Pretreatment Standards for the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Point Source Category. EPA-821-R-
93-019. (October).
U.S. EPA. 1997. Supplemental Technical Development Document for Effluent Limitations
Guidelines and Standards for the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Category: Subpart B (Bleached
Papergrade Kraft and Soda) and Subpart E (Papergrade Sulfite). EPA-821-R-97-011. (October).
Available online at: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/polppaper/technicalsiipp.html. DCN
03304.
U.S. EPA. 2000a. Permit Guidance Document: Pulp, Paper and Paperboard Manufacturing
Point Source Category (40 CFR §430). EPA-821-B-00-003. (May). Available online at:
http://www.epa.g
U.S. EPA. 2000b. Development Document for the Final Effluent Guidelines and Standards for
the Centralized Waste Treatment Point Source Category. EPA-821-R-00020. (August).
U.S. EPA. 2000c. Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know, EPCRA Section 313,
Guidance for Reporting Toxic Chemicals within the Dioxin and Dioxin-like Compounds
Category. EPA 745-B-00-021. (December). Available online at:
U.S. EPA. 2001. Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know, EPCRA Section 313,
Guidance for Reporting Toxic Chemicals: Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds Category. EPA
260-B-01-03. (August). Available online at:
U.S. EPA. 2003a. Development Document For The Final Effluent Limitations Guidelines And
Standards For The Metal Products And Machinery Point Source Category. (February).
Available online at: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/guide/mpm/tdd.htm. EPA-821-B-03-001.
U.S. EPA. 2003b. Exposure and Human Health Reassessment of 2,3, 7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-
Dioxin (TCDD) and Related Compounds Part I: Estimating Exposure to Dioxin-Like
Compounds Volume 2: Properties, Environmental Levels, and Background Exposures.
EPA/600/P-00/001Cb. (December). Available online at:
DCN 01 973.
U.S. EPA. 2004. Technical Support Document for the 2004 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan.
EPA-821-R-04-014. (August).
U.S. EPA. 2005a. Annual Screening-Level Analysis: Supporting the Annual Review of
Existing Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards and Identification of Potential New
Categories for Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards. (August). Available online at:
http://epa.gov/guide/304m/sla report.pdf. EPA-821-B-05-003. DCN 02 173.
U.S. EPA. 2005b. Preliminary Report: Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Detailed Study. (August),
Available online at: http://epa.gov/guide/304m/pulp_study.pdf. EPA-EPA-821-B-05-007. DCN
02177
10-6
-------
Section 10- References
U.S. EPA. 2006a. Land Cleanup and Wastes North Carolina NPL/NPL Caliber Cleanup Site
Summaries: Weyerhaeuser Company Plymouth Wood Treating Plant. (April). Available online
at: http;//www^
U.S. EPA. 2006b. Toxic Weighting Factor Development in Support of CWA 304(m) Planning
Process. (June). DCN03196.
U.S. EPA. 2006c. Technical Support Document for the 2006 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan.
EPA-821-R-06-018. DCN 03402.
Uloth, Vic; Duo, Wenli; Leclerc, Denys; Karid, Ibrahim; Kish, Joe; Singbiel, Doug. 2003.
"Investigations into the Variability and Control of Dioxins Formation and Emissions from
Coastal Power Boilers." TAPPI 2005 Engineering, Pulping & Environmental Conference. DCN
03299.
Unwin, Jay. 2006. Northern Regional Center, NCASI. Memorandum to Jerry Schwartz, Senior
Director of Water Quality Programs AF&PA. "Examination of EPA' s Nutrient and Metals
Loading Data." (March 20). DCN 03279.
Van Leeuwen, F.X.R. 1997. "Derivation of Toxic Equivalency Factors (TEFs) For Dioxin-Like
Compounds in Humans and Wildlife." Organohalogen Compounds 34:237 Cited in: Exposure
and Human Health Reassessment of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD) and Related
Compounds National Academy Sciences (NAS) Review Draft, Part I: Volume 2: Chapter 3:
Levels of COD, GIF, and PCB Congeners in Environmental Media and Food. Available online
at: htt]3^/www.ej3
-------
Section 10- References
Wiegand, Paul. 2005c. NCASI. Memorandum to Jerry Schwartz, AF&PA. "Enclosure 11,
PCDD/F Concentrations in Eight EFC Bleached Chemical Pulp Mill Treated Effluents" (NCASI
2002). (April 29). DCN 01754.
Wiegand, Paul. 2005d. NCASI. Memorandum to Jerry Schwartz, AF&PA. "Enclosure 12,
Mean PCDD/F Concentrations in Eight Bleached Chemical Pulp Mill (Mostly Non-ECF)
Treated Effluents From EPAs Guidance Document." (April 29). DCN 01755.
Wiegand, Paul. 2005e. NCASI. Memorandum to Jerry Schwartz, AF&PA. "Enclosure 13,
Facility Specific Effluent Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds Data for Grovetown Paper Mill in
Grovetown New Hampshire." (April 29). DCN 01756.
Wiegand, Paul. 2005f. NCASI. Memorandum to Jerry Schwartz, AF&PA. "Enclosure 14,
Facility Specific Indirect Discharge Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds Data for MeadWestvaco in
Luke Maryland." (April 29). DCN 01757.
Wiegand, Paul. 2005g. NCASI. Memorandum to Jerry Schwartz, AF&PA. "Enclosure 15,
Facility Specific Effluent Dioxin Data for Bowater in Catawba South Carolina." (April 29).
DCN 01758.
Wiegand, Paul. 2005h. NCASI. Letter to Lynn Zipf, U.S. EPA from Paul Wiegand, NCASI.
"Blandin Paper Co. TRI, Calendar Year 2002, Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds." (May 12).
DCN 01759.
Wiegand, Paul. 20051. NCASI. Letter to Water Docket, U.S. EPA, EPA-HQ-OW-2004-0032-
1069 from Paul Wiegand, NCASI. "Comments on EPA's Preliminary 2006 Effluent Guidelines
Program." (November 28).
Wiegand, Paul. 2006. Letter to Felicia James, U.S. EPA. "Follow-Up with Two of the 14 Phase
II Mills that Reported Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compound Releases to Water in the 2002 Toxics
Release Inventory (TRI)" (January 4). DCN 03278.
Wolford, Jessica. 2006. Eastern Research Group, Inc.. Telephone conversation with Mike
Juszynski of Koch (Brunswick) Cellulose, Brunswick, GA. "Brunswick Cellulose-Clarification
of Outfall Descriptions and Nutrient Monitoring." (March 7). DCN 03142.
Zhang, Yan. 2000. "Metal Concentrations in Some Pulp and Paper Mill Effluents Before and
After Activated Sludge Treatment." Paper and Timber 82(5):322-325. DCN 03085.
10-8
-------
Appendix - Current Status of Phase I Mills
Appendix
CURRENT STATUS OF PHASE I MILLS
-------
Appendix - Current Status of Phase I Mills
The attached table lists mills that EPA identified as Phase I mills (mills with at
least some portion of their wastewater discharges that met the applicability of 40 CFR 430
Subpart B (Bleached Papergrade Kraft and Soda) and Subpart E (Papergrade Sulfite) as of
April 15, 1998, when the Cluster Rules were promulgated. The table includes the following:
• Mill Name (updated to the 2006 ownership).
City
• State
• Phase I Subcategory that EPA believes applies to at least a portion of
mill discharges. Phase I subcategories include bleached papergrade kraft
and soda (BPK) and papergrade sulfite (PS).
• Discharge status of the mill, either discharge directly to surface waters
(i.e., direct dischargers) or to a POTW (indirect dischargers).
SIC code included in PCS. If the mill is not included in PCS (for
instance, if it is an indirect discharge mill) there is no SIC code. The pulp,
paper, and paperboard industry corresponds to three separate SIC codes:
2611 (pulp mills), 2621 (paper mills excluding building paper mills), and
2631 (paperboard) which identify the facilities principal product or group
of products. For a given mill, the SIC code in PCS may differ from the
primary SIC code identified in TRI.
• NPDES permit number, for direct discharges.
TRI ID number.
• SID - The site identification number given to the mill for EPA's 1990
industry-wide survey.
• Comment - The current operating status of the mill.
A-l
-------
Appendix - Current Status of Phase I Mills
Status of Phase I Mills as of 2004
Mil Name
Jefferson Smurfit Corp.
Parsons & Whittemore
(Alabama River Pulp Co.
Inc.)
(Parsons & Whittemore)
Alabama Pine Pulp
Bowaterlnc.
International Paper Co.
Gulf States Paper Corp.
Boise Cascade Corp.
Georgia-Pacific (Naheola
Mill)
International Paper Co.
(Riverdale)
Domtar Industries Inc.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Potlatch Corp.
International Paper Co.
Evergreen Pulp Co.
International Paper Co.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Smurfit-Stone Container
Corp.
City
Brewton
Claibome
(Perdue Hill)
Claibome
(Perdue Hill)
Coosa Pines
Courtland
Demopolis
Jackson
Pennington
Selma
Ashdown
Crossett
McGehee
Pine Bluff
Samoa
Cantonment
(Pensacola)
Palatka
Panama City
State
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AL
AR
AR
AR
AR
CA
FL
FL
FL
Phase I
Sub-
category a
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
Dis-
charge b
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
I
SIC
Code*
2611
2621
2611
2621
2631
2621
2631
2611
2611
2621
2631
2611
2611
2621
2621
2611
NPDES
AL0002682
AL0025968
AL0003158
AL0000396
AL0002828
AL0002755
AL0003301
AL0003018
AR0002968
AR0001210
AR0035823
AR0001970
CA0005894
FL0002526
FL0002763
FLR05B551
TRim
36426-CNTNR-FflGHW
36470-LBMRV-OFFHI
35044-SPLPN-ALABA
3561 8-CHMPN-POBOX
36732-GLFST-HIGHW
36545-BSCSC-307WE
36916-JMSRV-ROUTE
3670 1 -HMMRM-RI VER
71822-NKSPP-HIGHW
71635-GRGPC-PAPER
71 654-PTLTC-HIGHW
71611-NTRNT-FAIRF
95564-LSNPC-LPDRI
32533-CHMPN-375MU
32078-GRGPC-STATE
32401-STNCN-1EVER
sm*
9177
7901
5298
697
8040
9233
1895
6515
2899
4771
9700
335
2910
5540
1513
7805
3771
Comment
Shares NPDES and TRI with
BPK -SID: 5298.
Shares NPDES and TRI with
BPK -SID: 7901.
Phase II mill in close proximity
(NPDES:AR0001601; Mid-
America Packaging).
TCF mill (uses peroxide
bleaching); operates on the
edge of profitability; recently
bought by Lee and Man Paper
Mfg., a Chinese company.
Indirect; no^ ^ PCSLoads2002
(POTW=FL0002631; Bay
County Wastewater Treatment
Plant).
>
-------
Appendix - Current Status of Phase I Mills
Status of Phase I Mills as of 2004 (Continued)
Mill Name
International Paper Co.
GP Cellulose, LLC
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
(Flint River Mill)
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Potlatch Corp.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
NewPage Corp.
International Paper Co.
Boise Cascade Corp.
Tembec Inc.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
(Port Hudson Mill)
NewPage Corp.
International Paper Co.
(Androscoggin Mill)
S.D. Warren (SAPPI)
Lincoln Pulp & Paper Co.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
NewPage Corp.
Domtar Industries Inc.
City
Augusta
Brunswick
Oglethorpe
Pt.
Wentworth
Lewiston
Hawesville
Wickliffe
Bastrop
Deridder
St.
Francisville
Zachary
Luke
Jay
Hinckley
(Skowhegan)
Lincoln
Old Town
Rumford
Woodland
(Bailey ville)
State
GA
GA
GA
GA
ID
KY
KY
LA
LA
LA
LA
MD
ME
ME
ME
ME
ME
ME
Phase I
Sub-
category a
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
Dis-
charge b
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
I
D
D
D
D
D
D
SIC
Codec
2611
2611
2611
2611
2621
2611
2621
2611
2621
2611
2621
2621
2621
2621
2611
2621
2621
2411
NPDES
GA0002801
GA0003654
GA0049336
GA0002798
ID0001163
KY0001716
KY0000086
LA0007561
LA0007927
LA0003468
LA0005258
MD0001422
ME0001937
ME0021521
ME0002003
ME0002020
ME0002054
ME0001872
TRim
3091 3-FDRLP-HIGHW
3 1 520-BRNSW- WEST9
31068-BCKYC-OLDST
31407-STNCN-1BONN
83501-PTLTC-805MI
42348-WLLMT-POBOX
42087-WSTVC-HIGHW
71220-NTRNT-705CO
70634-BSSTH-USHIG
70775-JMSRV-ENDOF
7079 1 -GRGPC-ZACHA
21540-WSTVC-300PR
04239-NTRNT-RILEY
04976-SDWRR-RFD3U
04457-LNCLN-KATAH
04468-JMSRV-PORTL
04276-BSCSC-ROUTE
04694-GRGPC-MILLA
smd
310
3611
3114
9982
2216
8897
6360
1907
9747
5677
181
9926
6139
832
7254
9195
4084
2374
Comment
Minor discharger; not in
PCSLoads2002; Project XL
participant.
Recycled paperboard mill
closed according to AF&PA,
October 2002. Pulp and paper
mill still open.
Indirect discharger;
PCSLoads2002 contains TSS,
oil & grease, and aluminum
(POTW=MD0021687; Upper
Potomac River Commission).
>
-------
Appendix - Current Status of Phase I Mills
Status of Phase I Mills as of 2004 (Continued)
Mill Name
NewPage Corp.
SAPPI Fine Paper North
America
International Paper Co.
SAPPI Fine Paper North
America
Boise Cascade Corp.
Weyerhauser Paper Co.
GP Cellulose, LLC
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Blue Ridge Paper
Products
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Fraser Papers Inc.
Finch Pruyn & Co Inc.
International Paper Co.
Glatfelter
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Pope & Talbot, Inc.
Boise Cascade Corp.
(City of St. Helens)
City
Escanaba
Muskegon
Quinnesec
(Norway)
Cloquet
International
Falls
Columbus
New Augusta
New Bern
(Vanceboro)
Riegelwood
Canton
Plymouth
Berlin
Glens Falls
Ticonderoga
Chillicothe
Clatskanie
Halsey
St. Helens
State
MI
MI
MI
MN
MN
MS
MS
NC
NC
NC
NC
NH
NY
NY
OH
OR
OR
OR
Phase I
Sub-
category a
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
PS
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
Dis-
charge b
D
I
D
I
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
SIC
Codec
2611
2621
2611
2611
2611
2621
2611
2611
2631
2621
2621
2611
2611
2611
2621
2611
2611
2611
NPDES
MI0000027
MI0001210
MI0042170
MN0001431
MN0001643
MS0036412
MS0031704
NC0003191
NC0003298
NC0000272
NC0000680
NH0000655
NY0005525
NY0004413
OH0004481
OR0000795
OR0001074
OR0020834
TRim
49829-MDPBL-COUNT
49443-SDWRR-2400L
49876-CHMPN-USfflG
55720-PTLTC-NORTH
56649-BSCSC-SECON
39703-CLMBS-CARSO
39462-LFRVR-HWY29
28560-WYRHS-STREE
28456-FDRLP-RIEGE
2871 6-CHMPN-MAINS
27962-WYRHS-TROWB
03570-JMSRV-650MA
12801-FNCHP-1GLEN
12883-NTRNT-SHORE
45601-MDCRP-401SP
970 1 6-JMSRV-WAUNA
97348-PPTLB-30480
97051-BSCSC-1300K
smd
1492
5844
3042
2212
1052
8662
8525
5657
2608
4572
8544
1688
1277
5123
4696
2818
1811
644
Comment
Indirect discharger (Phase II as
of November 2005);
PCSLoads2002 contains
Chlorine (POTW=MI0027391;
Muskegon County Wastewater
Management System)
Indirect discharger; not in
PCSLoads2002 (POTW=
MN0049786; Western Lake
Superior Sanitary District).
Shutdown May 2006.
PS-B; Ammonium-based.
Georgia-Pacific operates a
recycle facility at Halsey that is
not Phase 1 .
Shares NPDES permit with
POTW.
>
-------
Appendix - Current Status of Phase I Mills
Status of Phase I Mills as of 2004 (Continued)
Mill Name
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Appleton Papers Inc.
Glatfelter
Bowaterlnc.
International Paper Co.
International Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Bowaterlnc.
International Paper Co.
MeadWestvaco Texas L.P.
MeadWestvaco Packaging
Resources
International Paper Co.
Smurfit-Stone Container
Corp.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Boise Cascade Corp.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Kimberly-Clark
Worldwide Inc.
Simpson Tacoma Kraft
Co.
SmartPapers LLC
City
Johnsonburg
Roaring
Spring
Spring Grove
Catawba
Eastover
Georgetown
Bennetsville
King sport
Calhoun
Texarkana
(Queen City)
Evadale
(Silsbee)
Covington
Franklin
West Point
Longview
Wallula
Camas
Everett
Tacoma
Park Falls
State
PA
PA
PA
SC
SC
SC
SC
TN
TN
TX
TX
VA
VA
VA
WA
WA
WA
WA
WA
WI
Phase I
Sub-
category a
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
PS
BPK
PS
Dis-
charge b
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
SIC
Codec
2621
2611
2621
2611
2621
2631
2621
2621
2621
2621
2631
2631
2611
2611
2611
2611
2611
2611
2611
2621
NPDES
PA0002143
PA0008265
PA0008869
SC0001015
SC0038121
SC0000868
SC0042188
TN0001643
TN0002356
TX0000167
TX0003891
VA0003646
VA0004162
VA0003115
WA0000124
WA0003697
WA0000256
WA0000621
WA0000850
WI0003212
TRim
15845-PNNTC-100CE
16673-PPLTN-100PA
17362-PHGLT-228SO
29704-BWTRC-5300C
29044-NNCMP-ROUTE
29442-NTRNT-KAMIN
2951 2-WLLMT-HW Y9 1
37662-MDPPR-POBOX
37309-BWTRS-ROUTE
75504-NTRNT-POBOX
77656-PLPPP-POBOX
24426-WSTVC-RIVER
23851-NNCMP-FflGHW
23181-CHSPK-19THM
98632-WYRHS-3401I
99363-BSCSC-POBOX
98607- JMSRV-NE4TH
98201-SCTTP-2600F
98421-SMPSN-801PO
54552-FLMBP-200NO
smd
4491
5701
4920
2449
1421
7647
1908
1146
9523
8135
2647
4318
6412
5187
8668
732
324
5124
3720
23
Comment
VATIP-Tierl.
VATIP-Tier 1; PCS dioxin
detect in 2002 confirmed by
mill(83.6pg/L).
VATIP-Tierl.
VATIP-Permit does not
indicate tier.
PS-B; ammonium-based.
PS-A; calcium-based.
>
-------
Appendix - Current Status of Phase I Mills
Status of Phase I Mills as of 2004 (Continued)
Mill Name
Stora Enso North America
Weyerhaeuser Paper Co.
Domtar Industries Inc.
Domtar Industries Inc.
City
Wisconsin
Rapids
Rothschild
Nekoosa
Port Edwards
State
WI
WI
WI
WI
Phase I
Sub-
category a
BPK
PS
BPK
PS
Dis-
charge b
D
D
D
D
SIC
Codec
2611
2621
2611
2621
NPDES
WI0037991
WI0026042
WI0003620
TRim
54494-CNSLD-950FO
54474-WYRHS-200GR
54457-NKSML-MARKE
54469-PRTDW-100WI
smd
7850
4139
4468
7163
Comment
In 2002, mill submitted 3
separate TRI release reports
(pulp mill, paper mill, and
water quality center).
PS-A; calcium-based.
Shares NPDES permit with
PS - SID:7163.
PS-A; shares NPDES permit
with BPK - SID:4468.
Mill That No Longer Have Bleached Chemical Pulp Operations
International Paper Co.
Kimberly-Clark
Worldwide Inc.
Shasta Paper
Smurfit-Stone/Florida
Coast
Durango-Georgia Paper
Co.
Great Northern Paper Co.
SAPPI Fine Paper North
America
International Paper Co.
Stone Container Corp.
Procter & Gamble Paper
International Paper Co.
Mobile
Mobile
Anderson
Port St. Joe
St. Marys
Millinocket
Westbrook
Moss Point
Missoula
Mehoopany
Erie
AL
AL
CA
FL
GA
ME
ME
MS
MT
PA
PA
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
BPK
PS
BPK
BPK
BPK
PS
BPK
D
D
D
I
D
D
D
I
D
D
I
2621
2621
2611
2621
2621
2621
2611
2621
2611
AL0002780
AL0002801
FLR10K742
GA0001953
ME0000167
ME0002321
MS0002674
MT0000035
PA0008885
PA0000124
36652-SCTTP-BAYBR
31558-GLMNP-1000O
04462-GRTNR-1KATA
04092-SDWRR-89CUM
59806-STNCN-MULLA
18629-PRCTR-ROUTE
16533-HMMRM-1540E
6354
4774
8657
3820
8850
6841
130
7115
3218
7401
3982
Idle in 2002; PCSLoads2002
contains dioxin, TSS, iron, etc.
Idle after 2002;
PCSLoads2002 contains
BODS, oil & grease, TSS, etc.
Idle in 2002.
Idle in 2002; not in
PCSLoads2002.
Idle after 2002; PSCLoads2002
contains dioxin, BOD5, and
TSS. According to AF&PA,
closed October 2002.
Phase II.
Phase II.
Idle in 2002; PCSLoads2002
contains BOD5, TSS, dissolved
oxygen.
Phase II.
Phase II.
Phase II (POTW=PA0026301;
Erie City /Erie Sew Auth).
According to AF&PA mill
closed June 2002.
>
-------
Appendix - Current Status of Phase I Mills
Status of Phase I Mills as of 2004 (Continued)
Mill Name
Abitibi-Consolidated
Corp.
Abitibi-Consolidated
Corp.
Pasadena Paper Co. LP
James River Inc.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
Wausau Paper Mills Co.
Badger Paper Mills Inc.
City
Houston
(Sheldon)
Lufkin
Pasadena
Camas
Bellingham
Brokaw
Peshtigo
State
TX
TX
TX
WA
WA
WI
WI
Phase I
Sub-
category a
BPK
BPK
BPK
PS
PS
PS
PS
Dis-
charge b
D
D
I
D
D
D
I
SIC
Codec
2621
2621
2621
2611
2611
NPDES
TX0053023
TX0001643
WA0001091
WI0003379
TRim
77044-CHMPN-11611
75902-CHMPN-fflGHW
77506-PSDNP-901NS
98225-GRGPC-300WL
54417-WSPPR-2NDST
smd
4545
4079
2816
324
4005
7080
3764
Comment
Idle after 2002;
PCSLoads2002 contains AOX,
COD, dioxin, etc.
Idle after 2002;
PCSLoads2002 contains AOX,
dioxin, TSS, etc. According to
AF&PA idled indefinitely
October 2003
Phase II (POTW=TX0005380;
Gulf Coast Waste Disposal
Auth.).
Idle in 2002; now owned by
Georgia-Pacific. The Camas
Mill announced the permanent
closure of the sulfite pulp mill
and four paper machines.
Idle after 2002; PCSLoads2002
contains TSS, mercury, BODS;
(at promulgation, the only mill
in the specialty grade mills
segment).
Idle as of Nov 2005; facility
was PS-A (magnesium-based
bisulfite process).
Phase II (POTW=WI0030651;
Peshtigo City WWTF).
>
aPhase I subcategories include bleached papergrade kraft (BPK) and papergrade sulfite (PS) pulping operations.
bMill either discharge directly to surface waters (i.e., direct dischargers) or to a POTWs (indirect dischargers).
The pulp, paper, and paperboard industry corresponds to three separate SIC codes: 2611 (pulp mills), 2621 (paper mills excluding building paper mills), and 2631 (paperboard),
which identify the facilities' principal product or group of products. Table lists the SIC code listed in PCS. For a given facility, the SIC code in PCS may differ from the primary
SIC code identified in TRI.
dEPA performed an industry-wide survey in 1990. Each mill was given a survey identification number (SID).
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