A New Pulp Fact?

摘要

If you're reading this on paper, you may want to thank fish populations around the world for their sacrifices. Despite the paper industry's efforts to reduce contamination, numerous studies have shown that effluent from pulp and paper mills dischargedrnto nearby waters is linked with plummeting fish populations, alterations in sex-hormone levels and physical characteristics of sex organs, and other changes such as reduced egg production.rnHowever, the specific mechanisms through which such damage occurs remain unclear. In a study published in ES&T (DOI 10.1021/es802552m), a team of researchers from Canada and the U.S. says it has identified several rarely explored pathways that may be plausible candidates.