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Paper Recycling June 03, 2020 09:00:40 PM

Verso Paper Mill in Maryland Accused of Discharging Toxic Contaminants

Paul Ploumis
ScrapMonster Author
It must be noted that a lawsuit citing similar allegations had been filed earlier by the Potomac Riverkeeper Network.

Verso Paper Mill in Maryland Accused of Discharging Toxic Contaminants

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): A federal lawsuit has been filed against the owner of the closed Luke paper mill in Allegany County, western Maryland by Maryland environmental agency. It alleges that the mill continues to pollute the Potomac River through discharge of toxic contaminants.

According to Attorney General Brian Frosh, the facility owned by Verso Corp., leaks a toxic black substance that is feared to include paper pulping liquor and coal ash. The lawsuit is based on the report by a fisherman in end-April that a black liquid was found seeping into the North Branch of the river from the plant. It must be noted that a lawsuit citing similar allegations had been filed earlier by the Potomac Riverkeeper Network.

ALSO READ: Verso Corp. Announces Major Changes to Top Executive Leadership

The inspection by Maryland Department of the Environment authorities based on samples of liquid seeping out from the riverbank had revealed that it contained toxic chemicals including mercury, lead, arsenic and antimony. The discharge could potentially lead to burns and respiratory problems, the study said.

Meantime, the statement issued by Verso Corp. spokesperson said that the claims in the lawsuit are very much similar to the claims made in Maryland state court in December last year and that the company is actively working to address.

The federal suit alleged that the company might have just piped the pulping liquors in tanks on the West Virginia side to containers on the Maryland side, in response to state orders to empty them.

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