Objective: assess the impact of the chlor-alkali industry on the environment

There have been several environmental issues associated with the chlor-alkali industry over the
years that has impacted its development as an industry. These issues have led to changes in the
processes and substances used in the production of chlorine.

Bleaching of wood pulp – Chlorine was involved in the paper and pulp industry for the
bleaching of wood pulp. However, dioxin was found at parts per trillion level in paper and
paper-based produce and chlorinated organic compounds in pulp mill waste. These compounds
are toxic to the environment and as such, chlorine was substituted for sodium chlorate,
hydrogen peroxide and oxygen.

Mercury Emissions- A Mercury-cell method is one means by which chlorine can be produced at
an industrial level. However, mercury is an environmental toxin and is a by product of this
process. Thus, there was a drastic move away from mercury cell technology to diaphragm and
ion exchange membrane cell technology.

Asbestos- Asbestos is used in the diaphragm cell as a separator material. Asbestos is an

extremely poisonous material and is both a health and environmental hazard. The industry has
avoided any risks by means of surveillance and monitoring programs for disease relating to
Asbestos and with the use of proper safety equipment and filtering systems during the times of
unavoidable Asbestos exposure.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) – Chlorine is used in the production of the vinyl chloride monomer
(VCM) to produce polyvinyl chloride (PVC). However, there are two major environmental issues
with PVC, which include their lack of biodegradability and generation of dioxins when they are
incinerated for energy recovery and for controlled waste recycling. Hydrochloric acid formation
during the thermal decomposition of PVC is another issue that environmentalists are strongly
invoking for the substitution of chlorine-free products for PVC.
Ozone Layer Depletion – Chlorine is involved in the production of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC),
Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) as well as chlorinated ethanes and methanes. These are all involved
in the depletion of the ozone layer and as such, production of CFCs and Carbon Tetrachloride
were eventually banned. However, production of the chlorinated ethanes and methanes will
continue due to their use in the producing of HCFC-22 (Chlorodifluoromethane) This HCFC-22 is
much less harmful towards the ozone depletion in comparison to CFCs and is an intermediate in
the making of tetrafluoroethylene for the use in the manufacturing of Teflon and other
fluorine-based polymers. HCFCs are at this moment substituted for the CFCs until they are
phased out and removed.