What steps are being taken to improve air quality in Longview?
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Longview Papermill Under Investigation: Could It Be the Source of September’s Puzzling Odor
Background of the Investigation
The Longview Papermill in Washington has recently come under scrutiny as local residents report a mysterious odor that blanketed the area in September. This investigation aims to assess whether the papermill is the source of these unsettling smells that have raised multiple concerns among the community.
What Are the Community Concerns?
- Health Hazards: Residents are worried about potential health impacts linked to lingering odors.
- Environmental Impacts: There are fears about air quality and its effect on local ecosystems.
- Transparency: Community members are urging for open communication from the papermill regarding its operations and environmental safety measures.
Details of the Odor Reports
Since early September, the Longview area reported a number of complaints regarding a noxious smell. Residents described it as pungent and akin to rotten eggs or sulfur. The investigation seeks to find correlations between these reports and the emissions from the papermill’s activities.
Efforts to Determine the Odor Source
Local authorities, including the Department of Ecology, coordinated air quality tests and pollutant assessments throughout the area.
Potential Source of Mystery Odor in the Area Linked to Smurfit Westrock Mill
Recent reports of an enigmatic smell, detected from Kelso to Portland, have led authorities to suspect a connection with Longview’s Smurfit Westrock mill. According to Brittny Goodsell, the Southwest Region Communications Manager for the Washington State Department of Ecology, an investigation into the air quality data related to the mill is currently underway following numerous complaints lodged on September 24.
Goodsell emphasized that as of now, there is no evidence suggesting that Smurfit Westrock has breached its air quality permit stipulations. These regulations obligate businesses to mitigate any odors affecting local residents. Uri Papish, Executive Director at Southwest Clean Air Agency, clarified that this inquiry is primarily conducted by the Department of Ecology.
Company Responds and Internal Review Conducted
Robby Johnson, a spokesperson for Smurfit Westrock, informed The Daily News that their organization has fully engaged with state investigators and has performed its own internal assessment regarding these odor reports. He firmly stated that there was no violation pertaining to their air permit on the day when complaints surged and mentioned that “there’s no evidence implicating the Longview paper mill in these allegations.”
The Longview facility—situated adjacent to Columbia River east of Lewis and Clark Bridge—has changed hands multiple times over the years; it previously belonged to KapStone Paper & Packaging as well as Longview Fibre Paper and Packaging. Goodsell noted ongoing inquiries into various organizations within Longview; however, numerous public submissions have pointed specifically at Smurfit Westrock after a viral Reddit post suggested them as the odor source.
Ongoing Investigation Reveals No Immediate Threat
Victor Leatzow, Fire Chief of Cowlitz County Fire District 5 based in Kalama, stated his department also reached out when odors were first reported but confirmed with Smurfit Westrock that no hazardous emissions had transpired. Upon initial reports about this peculiar smell around 6:30 p.m. on September 24—which spread southward toward Portland—local emergency services sought clarification from other chemical facilities like Nippon Dynawave in Longview and LanXess in Kalama regarding potential origins.
Descriptive accounts from affected individuals described scents reminiscent of burning rubber or garbage mixed with gas or ammonia; some even reported ailments such as itchy eyes or headaches. However, Debra Carnes from PeaceHealth disclosed there were no hospital admissions attributed directly due to this smell during that time frame.
Testing by both Washington Department of Ecology and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency two days later revealed nothing unusual within environmental samples taken around Longview despite community concerns about health impacts linked to unpleasant odors. Goodsell reaffirmed that while symptoms were reported among residents during these episodes, officials do not classify these smells as dangerous; she stressed exposure scenarios similar would indicate they are not inherently toxic unless accompanied by distinctive hazardous chemicals often used for natural gas detection which serve solely as warning indicators rather than immediate threats.
Editor’s Note: Updates Included
This report reflects new insights from key representatives including those from Smurfit Westrock along with officials from Cowlitz County Fire District 5 and Southwest Clean Air Agency.
