By Cassandra St.Hart
Amelia Island Montessori
June 16, 2019 1:00 p.m.
Editor’s Note: Karl Schlobohm’s Eighth Grade students at Amelia Island Montessori School were given an assignment to write on a subject of interest to them. We will post a series of the student’s class assignments over this Father’s Day weekend. We hope you enjoy.
Air pollution is projected to be a major problem in our area within the next 50 years, especially in areas where factories and mills continue to emit dangerous chemicals. Known for its beautiful beaches, history and natural diversity, you would never suspect that such a beautiful area as Fernandina Beach would contain more air pollution than the national average, and more than all of its surrounding areas.
Due to the current levels of sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and methane (SO2, CO2, CH4) Nassau county was considered a “nonattainment area,” which which the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) defines as an area where “air pollution levels have not met the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)” as defined in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 (P.L. 91-604, Sec. 109) ).There are many potential causes for this designation, but the biggest contributing factor is the gas emissions from the West Rock paper mill on the north end of the island, whose industrial appearance contrasts with the natural beauty of Fort Clinch State Park in its background.
The Clean Air Act of 1990 brings forth an approach to reduce acid rain and industrial emissions of sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide dissolves easily in water to form sulfuric acid, which is a major component of acid rain. Following this act, the smoke from West Rock and Fernandina Beach Sulfite Pulp Mill (among other industries) release enough sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and methane (CH4) in Nassau County for our region to be considered a “non-attainment area;” but for the past ten years, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has Partnered with the EPA to develop strategies for maintaining a healthy air quality levels.
Methane (CH4) is emitted from all kinds of sources, such as: fossil fuel production, distribution and use, livestock farming, landfills and waste heaps, biomass burning rice agriculture, biofuel production and natural sources. As methane gas is emitted into the atmosphere, it reacts with the hydroxyl radical to create water vapor and carbon dioxide .Methane is 34 times more powerful a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, as it is this more effective at trapping heat between the atmosphere and the earth’s surface.
Sulfur dioxide is a harmful gas. Inhaling it can cause irritation to the lungs, eyes nose and throat. Often symptoms consist of a sore throat, a runny nose, a burning sensation in the eyes and a cough. Carbon dioxide is another harmful gas. If inhaled in large concentrations, it can cause rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, clumsiness, emotional upsets and fatigue, and as less oxygen becomes available: vomiting, nasua, coma and death may occur.
How can we solve this issue of air pollution in area? There are a variety of alternatives to the damaging fuels we use now, more sustainable alternatives to the tree pulp material that our mills use to produce paper: hemp. Hemp was legalized in the us in 2018 by President Donald Trump, and it is said to be 4-5 times more tear-resistant than paper made out of materials from trees. Although its production cost is higher, hemp grows incredibly quickly than trees and is a more sustainable alternative. Hemp products are 100% biodegradable and recyclable. The hemp plant can help reduce global warming because it takes out large amounts per acre, more than most plants. Hemp can also help with road safety, by replacing wood with hemp it’s a lot less likely to cause accidents on our roads than the logging trucks currently being used.
By using alternative energy, we not only protect our natural resources, but we save money as well. Solar energy, wind energy, and water energy are all sustainable and natural energies that do not leave a carbon footprint and will always be available.
Well done, Cassandra! I hope everyone is reading, as your report provides great food for thought.
Outstanding fact-based reporting here. Easiest and cheapest frontline defense for our air quality – plant more trees instead of cutting them all down for development.
Further research would have informed the writer that the EPA released Nassau County from its non-attainment status of sulfur dioxide in April of this year.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-approves-redesignation-nassau-county-2010-1-hour-sulfur-dioxide-so2-standard
The mills have been a consistent economic linchpin for Fernandina Beach and Nassau County for decades. While there was a history of major pollution in the Amelia River and in our air, the passage of federal clean air and water legislation has forced the mills all over the country to provide better controls over their emissions. The mills conversion from coal to natural gas was part of that effort.
The forest industry provides thousands of jobs in north FL and south GA. The management of timber plats creates a sustainable resource for our country. All the items cited as positives for hemp can also be applied to trees. The trees going to the mills are not coming from developments on a consistent basis (yes, the Wild Light development was once timber property) but from carefully managed tree farms.
I’m guess we might hear from Rayonier and WestRock with their perspective in the near future.
Congratulations on a well-crafted research paper with alternative options identified.
For many, the Island mills have collectively been the goose that laid the golden egg, but at what cost for the general population?
The sulfite process used at the Rayonier Fernandina Beach plant is the same chemical sulfite process that was used by Rayonier at the pulp mill it operated at the Port Angeles facility in the State of Washington from 1930 until 1997. Twenty-two years later and Rayonier is still reporting (at FYE2018) $161 million of accrued liabilities for environmental costs for the ongoing Port Angeles clean-up and other identified locations that include Augusta, Georgia; Spartanburg, South Carolina; and Baldwin, Florida.
The air quality attainment “accomplishment” is based upon one-hour testing.
We have recently moved to Fernandina Beach and deeply appreciate the issues, facts, and solutions mentioned in this article about sulfur dioxide. The smell is offensive and we’re concerned about health-related issues. We realize the two plants contribute to the economic base of the area, but we must put our health first. Cassandra mentions hemp being one solution, is there any consideration for switching to it? Putting the health of humans and the environment before financial costs is necessary and important.
Thank-you, Cassandra, for being courageous enough to write such an important paper about a very significant topic!
Laura Grace, PhD