The quality of released effluent and waste water from the Paper mills needs periodic examination to assess the quantity of organic and inorganic constituents responsible for pollution load in the effluent. The sampling for analysis should be done at the point of release or at the inlet and outlet of effluent treatment plant of concerned mill. This will provide on operational efficiency of the mill and help to take corrective measures at appropriate time. Similarly, air quality of the mill area needs periodic examination to assess the load of air pollutants. In this regard the Paper mills, State Pollution Control Boards and Central Pollution Control Boardhave greater role to playin respect of periodic assessment of air, effluent and waste water quality, quality of water of receiving wetland and soil of nearby areas. Drinking water contamination, soil fertility reduction, cattle and human diseases are some common problems associated with polluted environment and need immediate measures to mitigate the sufferings of the affected people for maintenance of healthy environmental scenario in and around Paper mills.
WASTE
In India only about 20% waste paper is being currently recovered annually. Low recovery is on account of alternate use of paper in wrapping, packing, etc. Lack of source segregation results in waste paper getting contaminated and becoming unusable.
Water pollution by Paper mills is a major concern in recent days. Paper mill uses about 7000 gallons of water to manufacture one ton of good quality paper and in turn generates huge amount of effluent which pollutes the receiving wetlands and soil. It has been estimated that a Paper mill with a capacity of 300 TPD releases about 2100 cubic meter of effluent per hour
WATER
Air pollutants and gas emissions are the other concern about the pulp and paper industry. The most important gas emission is water vapours. Additionally, particulates, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sulfur oxides and total reduced sulfur compounds (TRS). The gas emissions sources and types are given AS UNDER.For gaseous emissions, the particulate matter and hydrogen sulfide are the most important parameters. Since some pulp and paper mills use lime-kilns and all the mills operate boilers for steam generation for meeting their process heat and power requirements, they burn coal/fuel & furnace oil/agricultural wastes or a combination of them (i.e. multifuel boilers), and emit SO2 , PM, HC and CO into the atmosphere. • Integrated mills emit f
AIR
Environment’ is defined as the sum total of water, air and land and the inter relationships which exists among and between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organisms and property. • Any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such concentration as may be or tend to be injurious to environment is called an environmental pollutant [EP, Act, 1986]
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pulp and paper (P&P) industry is one of the most polluting industries, as identified and categorised by Central Pollution control Board (CPCB). It consumes a significant quantity of water and chemicals and produces large volumes of effluent