What other environmental protection measures has Aracruz taken at the pulp mill?
Since the start up of its industrial activities, Aracruz already has invested more than US$300 million for environmental protection. The Company has installed highly modern pollution control systems at its mills. Barra do Riacho Unit At the Barra do Riacho Unit, low-odor boilers, electrostatic precipitators and gas scrubbers are used for treating atmospheric emissions. Moreover, effluents are treated in six biological lagoons before being pumped through an underwater pipe (3 underwater outflow pipes that make it possible to better distribute and dilute the treated effluent plume) pipe to an outlet 1.7 km off the coast at a depth of 17 meters, assuring a high rate of dilution and minimal environmental impact. The efficiency of these steps is checked through systematic monitoring of the coastal waters near the mill. These studies, carried out in conjunction with the Federal University of Espírito Santo as well as government and non-governmental institutions, up to now have not detected a
