Canton mill in regulatory crosshairs

Oct. 17—CANTON — On and off for the past year, PACTIV/Evergreen has been dealing with complaints about a fine dust that falls on vehicles and homes around the Canton paper mill.

Readers who have sent complaints and photos likened the dust to "talcum powder mixed with super glue" and say soap and water don't do much to remove it. One reader said vinegar worked, but feared for what it would do to the vehicle's finish.

State regulators determined lime dust was the culprit, something that is regulated as particulate matter but is not classified as a federal or state toxic air pollutant, said Shawn Taylor, public information officer for N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.

The paper mill has received three notices of violation for the dust from the state agency that oversees air quality complaints. One was issued on Oct. 12, 2021, another on Aug. 29, 2022, and a third on Oct. 5, 2022.

The issue came to the attention of environmental regulators in September 2021 when 25 complaints were received in the Asheville regional DEQ office, Taylor said.

The company made repairs and set forth a corrective action plan, according to documents on file with the agency. This February, the corporation was fined $8,045 for infractions a year ago for failing to control visible emissions.

In August 2022, six more complaints about dust were lodged, which led to a second visit. Taylor said there was a smaller incident in August where two more complaints were made, but were localized around mill employee parking lots. Again a notice of violation was issued, this time for failure to properly operate and maintain the lime dust collector.

A month later, another seven dust complaints were lodged, leading to yet another site inspection from state regulators. This led to a third notice of violation from DEQ, this time for failure to properly operate and maintain the lime dust collector.

Mill response

Once a notice of violation is issued, companies cited are asked to specify how the problem leading to the violation will be addressed and given a chance to offer an explanation.

In a Sept. 12 letter to the Asheville DEQ office, mill manager John McCarthy explained the corrective action that had already happened, as well as why the problem was ongoing. Cartridges in the #5 lime kiln dust collection system rapidly deteriorated the weekend of Aug. 6-7, which may have led to dust in the community, the letter stated.

Securing needed cartridges has been hampered by the global supply chain shortages, with orders placed on April 5 not arriving until Aug. 10, at which time the #5 kiln was promptly shut down so all 48 cartridges could be replaced, the letter continued.

Furthermore, the cartridges replaced on Aug. 10 had only been in place about two months, but the life expectancy is one year. The company is in the process of working with the lime kiln manufacturer to investigate equipment performance deficiencies.

The objective will be to have enough cartridges on hand to change out both the #5 and #6 dust collectors simultaneously, the letter said.

The mill's response to the dust violations the previous year was signed by acting general manager Fred Perrett and business unit manager David Clemmons.

In this response, mill officials wrote that a parts review and recommendations from the original manufacturer were solicited regarding the #5 lime dust collector. Those findings were to be used to ensure "long-term system functionality," the letter stated.

The letter also stated the company had increased storeroom inventory levels to ensure all cartridges in both dust collectors could be replaced at once and that alternate filter suppliers were being investigated.

The mill provided car wash vouchers, and if that didn't work, exterior car detailing services that cost an estimated $250-$350 per vehicle. As of the letter's Oct. 28, 2021 event, 115 cars were cleaned.

"The mill sincerely apologizes to everyone who was recently impacted by dust emissions. We are committed to implementing a long-term engineering solution. We have been closely monitoring system emissions and have noted no visible emissions as of September 19. The mill has contacted everyone who filed a complaint to let them know we are doing everything we can to make it right for anyone who had dust on their vehicles," said Beth Kelly, director of communications for PACTIV/Evergreen.

Reach out

The state agency continues to monitor the situation, Taylor said, urging those with complaints to reach out to the Asheville office.

"The Division of Air Quality is committed to ensuring Blue Ridge Paper (the names under which PACTIV Evergreen's permit was issued) operates in compliance with its air quality permit and all federal and state emission standards," Taylor said. "We are requiring the facility to resolve any issues with its filters and using our enforcement tools to address noncompliance."

Taylor added that residents who have any concerns or notice dust should contact the DAQ Asheville Regional Office at 828-296-4500 or email Brendan.Davey@ncdenr.gov. All complaints are assigned for investigation, she said.