QUODDY TIDES • March 17, 2026
Following a toxic gas exposure incident in January, which caused the deaths of two workers, the Woodland Pulp mill experienced another accident on March 7. The Jan. 27 exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas occurred when the mill was shutting down operations because of the high price of natural gas. The March 7 leak of hydrogen peroxide occurred while the mill was in the process of restarting operations following the month-long shutdown. According to Scott Beal, spokesperson for the mill, shortly after 9 a.m. workers noticed a drain valve had become opened, which resulted in the loss of approximately 4,000 gallons of hydrogen peroxide into the mill’s sewer system. Peroxide is a compound used in the kraft mill’s bleaching process, along with chlorine dioxide. Exposure to hydrogen peroxide, which is considered a hazardous substance, can cause skin, lung and eye irritation, or even severe burns and blindness. It also can cause explosions.