A recent report by the Southern Environmental Law Center, puts Columbus County at the top of the list when it comes to toxic air pollution based on 2010 Federal Environmental Protection Agency Data. Ranked higher than any other county in the state for the pounds of toxic pollution released into the air, Columbus County industries released nearly 4 million pounds compared with the second highest ranked county for toxic pollution, New Hanover County, with slightly more than 3 million pounds released.

The Southern Environmental Law Center emphasizes that toxic air pollution includes chemicals known to cause cancer. Columbus County ranked number one in the amount of known carcinogens released totaling 197,082 pounds –that is just three positions ahead of Brunswick County, ranked fourth with 103,151 pounds of known carcinogens released into the air.

And, the single largest emitter of toxics in the state, is ‘s Riegelwood Mill which releases more than 3.9 million pounds a year, according to the report.  Nice…

Andrew Goldberg

Andrew is an attorney who serves as Dogwood Alliance’s chief corporate negotiator and point person for large corporate paper consumers working to develop and implement environmental paper procurement policies. His focus is on forest products supply chain sustainability, corporate social responsibility and emerging market tools for forest conservation. A former Appalachian thru-hiker, he now logs miles chasing his children.