Cleaner air following pulp machine closure

Domtar Kamloops mill environmental lead Kristin Dangelmaier doesn't expect to have the same number of complaints about smell this summer following the closure of the A-line pulp machine this week.

The closure forces the layoff of 125 employees but also means reductions of 80 per cent of sulphur particulate (the main cause of the bad smell) and 90 per cent of sulphur dioxide emissions from the high stack.

Dangelmaier says the result is “real permanent reductions in emissions and particulates; ongoing, sustained, permanent reductions.”

The emission reductions are good news to council, who were presented with the annual particulate reduction update and the annual air report on Tuesday. Coun. Ken Christian was concerned about the increase in odour complaints last year but Dangelmaier explained the complaints are actually back down to where they were with only two complaints per month at the most. Many complaints come in the summer and can be attributed to plant start-ups alongside wind or warmer temperatures.

Dangelmaier does not anticipate nearly as many complaints this summer though, “I would anticipate if we had the same winds this coming summer we wouldn't have the same number of complaints,” she told council.

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