Potential Processing of Radioactive Lumber at Ohio Paper Plant

This report investigates the potential that Pixelle Specialty Solutions’ Chillicothe, Ohio mill may be processing radioactively contaminated lumber sourced from Pike County, a region historically impacted by discharges from the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS). PORTS, once central to the U.S. nuclear program, released multiple radionuclides into the environment, including uranium isotopes, neptunium-237, technetium-99, plutonium-239/240, and americium-241. Scientific studies and Department of Energy (DOE) records confirm contamination of soils, vegetation, and water systems in Pike County. With active logging in affected areas, and insufficient radioactive testing in Pixelle's current protocols, there exists a credible risk to product safety, worker health, and the environment. This report assesses contamination pathways, evaluates company practices, and provides recommendations for enhanced detection and response.

Given that logging is active in Pike County and PORTS has a known legacy of contaminating nearby ecosystems, lumber harvested from this region could carry radioactive contaminants into Pixelle's production processes. This paper aims to evaluate that risk using both recent scientific findings and historical environmental reports.

Scientific assessments and DOE documentation confirm the environmental presence of multiple high-risk radionuclides in the PORTS area:

• Uranium isotopes (U-234, U-235, U-238)
• Neptunium-237
• Technetium-99
• Plutonium isotopes (Pu-238, Pu-239/240)
• Americium-241

The U.S. Department of Energy's Annual Site Environmental Report (ASER) and CDC’s NIOSH Technical Basis Documents list these isotopes as contaminants of concern due to their confirmed release into the air, soil, and groundwater surrounding the site (DOE, 2023; CDC/NIOSH, 2021).

Studies show technetium-99 has been consistently detected in creeks like Little Beaver Creek and Big Beaver Creek, which are downstream of the PORTS facility. Neptunium-237 has also been identified in riparian plants, suggesting root uptake from contaminated groundwater (Ketterer et al., 2023). These isotopes, particularly alpha emitters such as plutonium and americium, pose substantial health risks if inhaled or ingested.

Trees and other plants can absorb radionuclides through:

• Root uptake from contaminated groundwater or soil: Neptunium-237 (as the soluble neptunyl ion) and technetium-99 are particularly mobile in groundwater.
• Atmospheric deposition: Fallout from stack emissions during the plant’s active years settled onto vegetation and soils.
• Surface water uptake: Flood events may introduce contaminated sediment or water directly into riparian root zones.

According to the DOE’s Portsmouth ASER and OSTI reports (Bryant et al., 2016), trees near the PORTS site could have accumulated these isotopes in trunks, branches, and bark over decades. Once milled, these contaminated trees could become part of the wood chip supply chain used in Pixelle’s papermaking.

Pixelle’s environmental and quality management certifications (ISO 14001, SFI, PEFC) confirm adherence to recognized standards for sustainability and chemical safety. However, no public documentation indicates that Pixelle currently screens incoming wood fiber or finished products for radioactive contamination—specifically for isotopes such as Np-237, Pu-239, or Tc-99 (Pixelle Certifications).

While Pixelle maintains air, water, and waste permits, these likely focus on conventional pollutants, not radiological emissions. This represents a gap in oversight, especially given that the Chillicothe mill could be receiving wood from Pike County, a known contamination zone.

If contaminated lumber enters the processing stream, Pixelle employees may be exposed to radionuclides through:

• Inhalation of radioactive dust during sawing, grinding, or pulping operations.
• Ingestion of contaminated particulates via hand-to-mouth transfer.
• Dermal exposure to surface-bound contaminants on wood.

Alpha-emitting isotopes (e.g., plutonium-239, neptunium-237, americium-241) are particularly dangerous when internalized. They concentrate in bones and organs and are linked to long-term carcinogenic effects. Without detection protocols, PPE, or area monitoring for ionizing radiation, workers remain at potential risk of chronic exposure.

To mitigate these credible risks, Pixelle Specialty Solutions should:

A. Implement Radionuclide Testing

• Screen all incoming lumber from Pike County for Np-237, Pu-239/240, Am-241, Tc-99, and uranium isotopes using gamma spectroscopy and alpha spectrometry.
• Establish radionuclide thresholds in raw and finished products.

B. Enhance Worker Protection

• Issue HEPA-filtered respirators and protective clothing to all personnel handling suspect wood.
• Conduct regular air and surface monitoring in processing zones.
• Provide dosimetry and radiation safety training to at-risk employees.

C. Manage Radioactive Waste

• Segregate and label potentially contaminated solid waste.
• Consult with Ohio EPA and NRC for proper disposal routes.
• Maintain complete records of all materials tested and outcomes.

Given the documented environmental contamination in Pike County from the PORTS facility—including uranium, neptunium, technetium, plutonium, and americium—the potential for contaminated lumber to enter the paper production chain at Pixelle Specialty Solutions is real and actionable. Current company protocols do not appear to address this unique threat. By expanding testing, improving worker protections, and engaging with regulators, Pixelle can proactively safeguard its operations and reinforce its commitment to public health and environmental responsibility.

NOTE: pOTENTIAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS

A child born to a family living directly across from the paper plant’s sludge lagoon was found at birth to have an unknown genetic mutation in their DNA. While no official link has been confirmed, scientific studies into potential environmental causes are ongoing. according to the family, the genetic department at nationwide children's hospital asked them if they lived near a nuclear facility. 

IT MUST ALSO BE NOTED: Dioxin is a toxic byproduct that forms during the paper-making process, especially when chlorine or chlorine-based chemicals are used to bleach wood pulp. When these chemicals interact with organic material in the wood, they can create dioxins—particularly the most dangerous type, TCDD. Once released into the air or water, dioxin can enter the food chain and accumulate in human fat tissue. In pregnant women, it can cross the placenta and interfere with fetal development. Dioxin damages DNA by causing oxidative stress and hijacking gene expression, leading to mutations that can result in birth defects, developmental delays, and long-term health issues in babies.

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