Number: 2000-12
WHEREAS, the pulp and paper industry is a significant source of dioxin discharged into the aquatic environment; and
WHEREAS, dioxin and other toxic chemicals come from chlorine compounds used in the papermaking process to bleach paper; and
WHEREAS, chlorine compounds are widely used to remove lignin from wood pulp, and then bleach wood pulp in preparation for paper making, and that these processes produce chemicals known as organochlorines (including dioxins and furans) which enter the environment through waste discharges; and
WHEREAS, dioxin and furans are believed to be among the most toxic chemicals known to science, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified 2,3,7,8-TCDD (the most toxic form of dioxin) as a known human carcinogen; and
WHEREAS, one of the primary exposure pathways for humans and wildlife is through the consumption of fish contaminated with dioxins and furans; and
WHEREAS, organochlorines (including dioxins) can bioaccumulate many thousands of times in fish, wildlife and humans; and
WHEREAS, dioxins also work as endocrine disrupters that interfere with hormone systems by mimicking natural hormones and blocking or disrupting their normal actions; and
WHEREAS, the accumulation of dioxins in wildlife has been linked to developmental and nervous system abnormalities, thyroid dysfunction, birth rate decreases and defects, metabolic abnormalities, and compromised immune systems, especially in raptors, such as eagles, and waterfowl that eat dioxin-contaminated fish; and
WHEREAS, research has linked dioxins to cancer, reproductive disorders and infertility among adults, birth deformities and developmental problems in children, an increased risk of diabetes and tumors, and immune system breakdowns; and
WHEREAS, certain populations are at greater risk of exposure to dioxin contamination, such as recreational and avid anglers, subsistence fish consumers, and Native American populations; and
WHEREAS, these populations and other sensitive populations, such as women of child-bearing age, developing fetuses and nursing infants are at greater risk from health hazards linked to dioxins; and
WHEREAS, Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) technologies are used at kraft mills throughout the world but at only one mill in the United States (LA Pacific in Samoa, CA); and
WHEREAS, the U.S.-Canadian Bi-National Toxics Strategy has included dioxins in the groups of chemicals to be addressed in the “virtual elimination” strategy for the Great Lakes Basin; and
WHEREAS, TCF technologies place kraft mills on the path to closed-loop operations, and chlorine free mills are the world leaders in recycling and dramatically reducing their waste water discharges; and
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation has taken steps to switch paper suppliers and promote Totally Chlorine Free and Processed-Chlorine Free (PC) paper consumption, starting with the use of Processed-Chlorine Free uncoated paper in 1990 and the first Totally Chlorine Freebase edition of National Wildlife Magazine in October 1999, International Wildlife Magazine in November 1999, and the upcoming April issues of Ranger Rick magazine and Your Big Backyard magazine; and
WHEREAS, conservation organizations, environmentally responsible organizations, universities and government agencies can play an important role to promote Totally Chlorine Free by adopting policies that encourage and when appropriate require the purchase of Totally Chlorine Free paper;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in its Annual Meeting assembled March 16-18, 2000, in Seattle, Washington, encourages the development of cooperative buying programs for the purchase of Totally Chlorine Free and Processed-Chlorine Free paper; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation encourages the sharing of relevant information regarding the sources and types of Totally Chlorine Free and Processed- Chlorine Free papers and suppliers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports regulatory and legal actions which encourage Totally Chlorine Free bleaching technologies, as well as the adoption of state and federal procurement standards that specify Totally Chlorine Free and Processed-Chlorine Free paper procurement in government contracts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports state and federal economic assistance programs and the development of such programs, which explicitly promote technology transfer and the rapid transition to Totally Chlorine Free bleaching technologies.