What’s going on?
Lead Investigator: Maria Mirabelli, PhD
Pulp and paper mills release hazardous chemicals into the air, some of which have obnoxious odors. These chemicals may be especially harmful to children, the elderly, people with breathing problems such as asthma, and those who are sensitive to air pollution.
Asthma symptoms, including wheezing, are common among children, but there has been little research into the effects of emissions from paper mills on children’s health. Responding to community concerns about possible health impacts of pulp and paper mills, researchers conducted a study of middle school children in North Carolina. The goal was to find out whether paper mills affect children’s health.