Article: Are the factories of cellulose really a hazard to the Uruguay river (Argentine Republic) ecosystem? Journal: International Journal of Environment and Health (IJENVH) 2010 Vol.4 No.1 pp.57 - 66 Abstract: This paper considers the probable consequences due to the installation of a cellulose pulp mill, related to the health risk of the human population and the nearby environment. The authors tried to be objective from the scientific point of view, revising recent world literature on the chemical and physical properties of the gaseous and liquid effluents. Relevant evidences were considered in view of the authors| professional experience on the laboratory handling of some chemicals involved and related to the damage that would be produced. It is concluded that the industrialisation process of that populated region, associated with the human progress, must be seriously evaluated in this particular case. It is remarked that the geographical place selected for the installation of a cellulose mill, on the riverside of the Rio Uruguay, is neither appropriate nor legally correct, because the effects will be more evident after decades of the operation of that kind of factory. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Are the factories of cellulose really a hazard to the Uruguay river (Argentine Republic) ecosystem?

Authors: Lazaro F.R. Cafferata, Walter O. Gatti

Addresses: Laboratorio de Estudio de Compuestos Organicos (LADECOR), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calles 47 y 115, (1900) La Plata, Republica Argentina; Centro de Investigaciones Cientificas y Aplicadas (CINDECA, CONICET), Calle 47 Nº 257, (1900) La Plata, Republica Argentina. ' Laboratorio de Estudio de Compuestos Organicos (LADECOR), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calles 47 y 115, (1900) La Plata, Republica Argentina; Centro de Investigaciones Cientificas y Aplicadas (CINDECA, CONICET), Calle 47 Nº 257, (1900) La Plata, Republica Argentina

Abstract: This paper considers the probable consequences due to the installation of a cellulose pulp mill, related to the health risk of the human population and the nearby environment. The authors tried to be objective from the scientific point of view, revising recent world literature on the chemical and physical properties of the gaseous and liquid effluents. Relevant evidences were considered in view of the authors| professional experience on the laboratory handling of some chemicals involved and related to the damage that would be produced. It is concluded that the industrialisation process of that populated region, associated with the human progress, must be seriously evaluated in this particular case. It is remarked that the geographical place selected for the installation of a cellulose mill, on the riverside of the Rio Uruguay, is neither appropriate nor legally correct, because the effects will be more evident after decades of the operation of that kind of factory.

Keywords: pulp paper mills; environmental damage; human health risks; cellulose pulp mills; environmental pollution; effluents; Argentina.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENVH.2010.033034

International Journal of Environment and Health, 2010 Vol.4 No.1, pp.57 - 66

Published online: 06 May 2010 *

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Title: Are the factories of cellulose really a hazard to the Uruguay river (Argentine Republic) ecosystem?

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