emissions from powerplants is technically feasible. The cost of control equipment is substantial, and generally no economic return is realized. Electrostatic precipitators are the choice of control equipment. At 98 percent efficiency, the cost of equipment and installation runs approximately $1 per minute per cubic foot of gas handled (in the 100,000 to 400,000 c.f.m. range); this cost is competitive with that of other equipment capable of yielding comparable efficiency. Above 98 percent efficiency the cost figure climbs rapidly. Legislation currently being considered by the Congress of the United States may ease the economic burden by allowing accelerated amortization of air pollution control equipment for tax purposes. New Hampshire law provides for limited tax exemption for equipment to control a source of air pollution. Sulfur oxides Control of sulful oxides from powerplants is generally not technically feasible at this time. With the low sulfur content of coal burned in the Heine plant, emission of sulfur oxides is not of immediate concern. INITIAL STEPS What steps then should be taken to reduce emission of pollutants to the atmosphere of Berlin? The following initial steps are warranted: (1) Evaluate the sulfur dioxide emission of the MGO stack over a period of at least a month, covering all operating conditions. Samples should be taken directly from the stack through the existing sample tap (the aspirator line now being used is not adequate). (2) Inspect the venturi-separator packed-tower system of the MGO plant for condition of equipment; investigate the operation of this system for adequacy. (3) Evaluate the efficiency of the lime kiln spray washer by sampling for particulate upstream and downstream. If this efficiency is less than 85 percent, modification of the spray washer or of its operation is warranted. (4) Evaluate the use of secondary scrubbers on the recovery furnace stack. A cost efficiency study may disclose that all or a substantial portion of the cost of such equipment may be offset by recovered saltcake and sulfur compounds. (5) Install a mesh demister on the smelt (dissolving) tank stack. (6) Consider the possibility of black liquor oxidation. This is partly an economic consideration but more a process consideration, since it decidedly alters the process of pulp production. (7) Evaluate the cost of installing equipment for collecting and destroying blow and relief gases from the kraft digesters and for collecting particulates from the Heine boilers. The cost of such equipment, which does not result in any economic advantage of recovered product, must be balanced against anticipated emission reduction with resulting community good will and better public relations. (8) Above all, proper operation of the recovery furnace and Heine boilers must be insured. This consideration should materially help reduce the magnitude of emissions. Proper maintenance and operation of existing control equip ment (MGO venturi scrubbers, lime kiln spray, smelt tank spray) must be maintained. (9) Production capacity should not be greatly exceeded; overloading the equipment greatly increases pollutant emission. Mr. BRIOLA. I would like to get some remarks from the town manager, the Honorable Carleton Holmes. The CHAIRMAN. Are you elected or appointed? Mr. HOLMES. I am appointed. The CHAIRMAN. Well, maybe you can stick your neck out a little further. [Laughter.] STATEMENT OF CARLETON HOLMES, TOWN MANAGER, LINCOLN, MAINE Mr. HOLMES. Senator Muskie, the kraft mill in Maine is going to be more of an issue in the next years with the rapid expansion of the areas of Maine, beginning with your native town and mine, serving as pioneers for using hardwood. We all, as Mr. Briola mentioned, are pleased that the pulp and paper mills are expanding in Maine, but it leads to a problem for the municipal officers. It is a problem for the citizens, asking us is this a health problem, and that we are unable to answer at the present time, whether it is a health problem or not. That was the purpose of asking for help in 1960, and that is the purpose why I am here to see if we can't in time get more research to help these kraft mills. We know it is an expensive conversion, whatever they do. They will need help in order to do it. I don't know of any collective kraft mills that is, as a group that are working on the problem, and I would think that they could help in that respect where it is expensive. There are not only the kraft mills in Maine, but they are all over the country, but I know of no collective research work being done in that line, and of course, as representative of the municipal officers, we are interested in seeing if we can answer some of these problems such as health problems, and there is slight damage also to property that we have as a result of the kraft mills. I do feel in our own community that the Standard Packaging Co. is trying, and I know several different attempts they have made to help alleviate the problem. We realize, I think, that any community realizes you are going to have that nuisance as far as the smell is concerned. I think the municipal officers are more interested in damage to the property and whether it is a health problem or not. The CHAIRMAN. How many kraft mills are there in Maine now? Mr. HOLMES. We have Rumford, one in Lincoln, and one in Old Town, and one in Portland. The CHAIRMAN. Westbrook? Mr. HOLMES. Yes, the Portland area. They are contemplating one in the Woodland area and Lisbon, and of course St. Regis also. It hasn't come out, but we feel that they will within 2 years have a kraft mill in order to take advantage of the hardwood we have in our State. The CHAIRMAN. Progress always carries problems. We have the problems at some time to utilize our hardwood in order to retain the base for these mills. And now we found a way to utilize these hardwoods, and we have a new problem; so it is a difficult one, and anything you three gentlemen can help us to do and fill out the record and stay on top of the problem, we appreciate, and we want to be of help if we can. Mr. BRIOLA. Thank you, Senator. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you very much, gentlemen, I hope you get back to Maine without running into a snowstorm. I will place the prepared statement of Mr. Briola in the record at this point. (The statement is as follows:) PREPARED STATEMENT OF PETER BRIOLA, LINCOLN, MAINE At the request of our distinguished and honorable Edmund S. Muskie, U.S. Senator, chairman of Special Subcommittee on Air and Water Pollution, we respectfully submit, for your earnest consideration, the following which is a very grave and serious condition we have been living with at Lincoln since the year of 1958, resulting from the operations of Eastern Division, Standard Packaging Co., in the manufacture of pulp and paper products at its mill located in the very heart of Lincoln. TOWN OF LINCOLN Briefly, to acquaint you with the town of Lincoln, it was incorporated in the year of 1829 and is situated on the east bank of the Penobscot River, 45 miles northeast of Bangor, Maine. Lincoln consists of two and one-half townships (90 square miles), with a population of approximately 4,600. The people are mostly native Yankees, retaining the tradition or particular ingenuity of that group. The principal industry being the manufacture of pulp and paper products conducted by said Standard Packaging Co., which employs some 400 from Lincoln and surrounding towns. Other industries include a worsted fabric mill, shoe factory, and lumber manufacture. Nearby are a number of beautiful clear water lakes where many residents and nonresidents maintain summer cottages. All water sports are enjoyed throughout the year and for hunting and fishing the surrounding country is a sportsman's paradise. Lincoln also enjoys a number of excellent modern up-to-date stores and shops and successfully conducts a substantial mercantile business which is an asset to the town, drawing people from as far as Houlton, some 80 miles northeast. Lincoln, truly is a beautiful and wonderful place to live, but is confronted with a serious air pollution problem which is eating, so to speak, into the very core of its general health and welfare. PRINCIPAL COMPLAINT Up through the years from 1829, the date of Lincoln's incorporation, through the year 1957, the inhabitants and visitors have enjoyed its beautiful scenery, its lakes and rolling countryside, and above all they enjoyed clean air. The people prospered and healthwise lived to enjoy what Mother Nature so graciously and bountifully provided. During the year of 1957 or 1958 the Standard Packaging Co. purchased the pulp and paper mill, formerly operated by the Eastern Paper Co., at Lincoln, Maine, and subsequently set up a new and improved process of manufacturing pulp and paper products, and in doing so did then and there contaminate the air in and around Lincoln with an odor that is extremely obnoxious to the sense of smell and did cause certain gases, fumes, and chemicals to be emitted from its stacks, which have caused the inhabitants to suffer with their health, property damage, and loss of business, primarily making it an undesirable place to live and bring up children. The situation and living condition became so bad that the Lincoln Town Council, during the year of 1960, attempted to have the matter corrected and employed the undersigned, Peter Briola, who caused letters to be sent to each member of the Maine congressional delegation at Washington, which subse quently resulted in a survey being conducted at Lincoln by the U.S. Public Health Service through its New York and Cincinnati offices and a survey conducted by the State of Maine Department of Health and Welfare, said reports should be made available to this committee and it is suggested that the committee avail themselves of same. Reference is hereby made to said reports as follows: (1) Report by U.S. Public Health Service, dated May 20, 1960, same attached hereto. (2) Report by State of Maine Department of Health and Welfare, dated March 23, 1960, same attached hereto. (3) Report by the U.S. Public Health Service of an extensive study at Berlin, N.H., which we have been given to understand here at Lincoln that the inhabitants of said Berlin, N.H., were confronted with similar circumstances as exist in Lincoln. Said report is referred to as follows: 1962 report entitled "In Quest of Clean Air for Berlin, N.H.," prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Welfare Public Health Service, Technical Report A62-9 by Robert A. Taft, Sanitary Engineering Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, obtainable through the U.S. Public Health Service, Washington, D.C. COMMENTS ON REPORT Your attention is respectfully directed to said U.S. Public Health Service report under paragraph A, entitled "Dust Emission," in part as follows: "Particulate matter is emitted from the recovery furnace, and from the lime kiln. The particulate emitted from the recovery furnace stack consists primarily of sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate. Some sodium sulfite, sulfide, The CAUSTIC SODA [caps and italic ours], and carbon are also released. report goes on to state that that said particulate emitted is markedly caustic and can damage vegetation and mar paint on automobiles. Also that the control of this pollution is therefore important. The report further says that on the basis of the capacity of the Lincoln mill the emission of said matter amounts to about 1 ton per day. Under the title "Odor Release," the report states that the gas contains a high concentration of these sulfur gases and, "generally speaking, the furnace plus the evaporators constitutes a significant source of odor comparable in importance to the digester gases." And the report further says that, "the miscellaneous source as mentioned previously (in the report) also constitutes a significant odor source in their aggregate." With reference to the report from the State of Maine Department of Health and Welfare, attached hereto, your attention is directed to paragraphs 4 and 5 of said report, which reads as follows, paragraph 4: "The preliminary investigation indicates an objectionable condition in the town of Lincoln, caused by fumes from the Eastern Corp. pulpmill." "In a number of instances it was also observed that houses painted white and similar colors have turned from white to a dark brown or grayish color which is thought to have been caused by the sulfurous fumes indicated above." With reference to the report on Berlin, N.H., same referred to above, being entitled "In Quest of Clean Air," U.S. Department of Health and Welfare Public Health Service, Technical Report A62-9, your attention is directed to page 33 of said report with reference to health and property damage and your attention is further directed to page 34 of said report with reference to damage to vegetation, and your attention is further directed to page 35 of said report with reference to nuisance effects, all of which has also occurred here at Lincoln. REPORT FROM A RESIDENT LIVING UNDER THE CONDITIONS AT LINCOLN I, Peter Briola, a resident of Lincoln since 1958, respectfully state that I have noticed and observed the following: (a) The discoloration of houses painted white and similar colors, not just a few, but houses situated on street after street here at Lincoln. (b) That I have observed the paint and chrome on my automobile and practically every other automobile in Lincoln, same destroyed, pitted and marred. all by virtue of the fumes emitted and particulate matter coming out of the stacks of the Standard Packaging Co. at Lincoln. (c) I personally have experienced a watering of my eyes and trouble with my sinuses as well as some respiratory trouble, all as a direct result of breathing the odors, fumes, and/or particulate matter coming out of the stacks, and I may also add that many people residing here in Lincoln have registered complaints of a similar nature. (d) I can personally state that the odors are very objectionable and at times nauseating. Further, that I have many times awakened from a sound sleep all choked up, unable to breathe because of the density of said odors or fumes and might add that it is likened to a thief in the night, slipping into your house and grabbing you by the throat in an effort to choke you to death. (e) I have experienced nosebleeds many times and many people have registered complaints of similar nature. (f) I know that there has been a marked increase in respiratory ailments since the year of 1958 and the local doctors state that the direct cause is from the fumes and odor eminating from the mill. (g) I have seen and experienced, when the weather is damp, that the fumes hang over the whole Lincoln area in dark clouds. (h) I may also state that we reside at 43 West Broadway, Lincoln; that we own a house; that we have painted our house two times since the year 1958 to the year 1962, previously we had painted every 6 or 7 years, but to look at our house now, it looks as though it has never been painted and it appears a rusty brown color. With reference to other housets located in Lincoln, there is a dinginess on the paint, either a rusty brown or a grayish or dark black spots. I may further add that there is no question that many houses here in Lincoln have been damaged by virtue of said fumes. (i) To my knowledge, the fumes and/or emission and particulate coming out of the stacks in the Standard Packaging Co., have affected the business conditions here in Lincoln. We have received many complaints from the guests of the two motels here, many of said guests moving out in the night because the odor was not only obnoxious but of a severe suffocating nature not conducive to sleep and rest. (j) You will note from the U.S. Public Health Service report on Lincoln, which is attached hereto, that among the other disturbing particulate and/or chemicals that caustic soda is being emanated from the stacks and surely you gentlemen know the effects of caustic soda mixed with water and we here at Lincoln have the resulting effect and damage during damp weather to our houses, automobiles, to our clothes left on the line to dry, the tearing of eyes and difficulty in breathing and damage to vegatation. The Town Council of Lincoln by its meeting of January 27, 1964, authorized Carleton Holmes, town manager, and Peter Briola to be present at the hearing of the Senate Special Subcommittee on Air and Water Pollution scheduled at Boston on February 17, 1964, and there to give testimony and answer questions concerning the situation hereinabove set out. Please be advised that said Carleton Holmes and Peter Briola will be present at said hearing. All in all we have a very serious situation and respectfully plead with this Senate committee to help us, for ourselves and our children's sake, to again enjoy what God gave us, clean air, uncontaminated with the injurious chemicals and nauseating odors now puffing out of the stacks of Standard Packaging Co. at Lincoln. Refer to: 24: SE. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE, PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, New York, N.Y., May 31, 1960. Mr. PETER BRIOLA, Attorney at Law, Lincoln, Maine. DEAR MR. BRIOLA: Enclosed is a May 20 letter from Mr. Kenline transmitting his report concerning air pollution problems associated with the Eastern Fine Paper and Pulp plant in Lincoln. I hope this will be of assistance to you. If you desire additional information, please contact me. Sincerely yours, WILLIAM H. MEGONNELL, Senior Sanitary Engineer, PHS, Regional Air Pollution Cosultant There are many sources of air pollutants in the kraft process. The operations which release pollutants may be classified as follows: (1) digester gases from wood cooking; (2) evaporation of the spent cooking liquor (commonly called black liquor); (3) combustion of black liquor in the recovery furnace; (4) lime kilns; and (5) turpentine recovery unit. These are the major sources of pollutants. There are also many lesser sources, which include green liquor dissolving (smelt) tanks, lime slaker and filter, screening and washing pulp from cookers (brown stock), salt cake and lime unloading systems, auxiliary power equipment, off-gases from the bleacher, combustion of sawdust, bark, and wood scrap in boilers, impoundment of spent process waters, addition of makeup chemicals, and sewered liquid streams. These miscellaneous points of emission may be relatively unimportant but in the aggregate may be sufficient to produce an odor problem over distances of a mile or two even though the major sources may be completely controlled. DUST EMISSION Particular matter is emitted from the recovery furnace, and from the lime kiln. The particulate emitted from the recovery furnace stack consists primarily of sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate. Some sodium sulfite, sulfide, caustic soda, and carbon are also released. This particulate emission is markedly caustic (except the sodium sulfate) and can damage vegetation and mar paint on automobiles. The control of this pollution is therefore important. The Lincoln mill indicates that they use a "wet scrubber of the latest design" to control this emission. This is hardly sufficient information to specify their emission. However, a well designed, well operated wet scrubber, using either water or black liquor as the scrubbing medium, has an efficiency of particulate removal of 85 to 90 percent. This is somewhat lower than that of electrostatic precipitators which run 90-98 percent efficient. Particulate collected from a typical |