Wood pellet mills pose health risks to nearby communities
A new survey of 312 households in five U.S. Southeast communities near wood pellet mills reveals substantial health and environmental concerns, linking the industry’s air and noise pollution to asthma, respiratory issues and other ailments among local residents.
Justin Catanoso reports for Mongabay.
In short:
- A coalition of NGOs surveyed residents in low-income, mostly minority communities near wood pellet mills, finding 86% of households report at least one family member with health issues related to mill pollution.
- Complaints from residents include dust, noise and respiratory problems, which they attribute to emissions from nearby mills owned by Enviva and Drax.
- The wood pellet industry disputes the survey's methods, asserting its efforts to reduce pollution and support local economies.
Key quote:
“The results of this groundbreaking survey confirm what we have known for years: Biomass wood pellet plants do incredible amounts of harm to nearby communities.”
— Jasmine Washington, attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center
Why this matters:
Residents near wood pellet mills, primarily in marginalized communities, are exposed to significant health risks, raising questions about environmental justice and public health policies. The biomass industry's rapid growth underscores the need for better pollution controls and greater accountability to protect these vulnerable populations.
