Also, since dioxin doesn't easily break down in the environment, the dioxin released builds up in the river, lake or ocean sediments near the pulp mills, and concentrates in the food chain. Because dioxin persists and magnifies in the foodchain, it can be hundreds of times more concentrated in fish than in the water they live in. An EPA study, the National Study of Chemical Residues in Fish, found that fish near chlorine-bleaching pulp and paper mills have significantly higher dioxin concentrations than anywhere else that's been tested. Although we can expect lower dioxin levels in waters and fish after these changes, some will still be there. Where this ends up in the environment depends on how the sludge is disposed of.
Most sludge is landfilled or applied to land.
And any mill that burns sludge from a chlorinated bleach plant is likely to emit airborne dioxins as well. Every other incineration process tested releases dioxin in significant amounts, so we can expect sludge burning is a problem too. Other products are likely to have dioxin as well, including napkins, paper towels, milk cartons, printing and office paper and feminine sanitary products. For dioxin free products, check out our list of products . And to learn more about dioxins, visit former Clark Fork Coalition staffer Elisa Lynch's excellent site.