The International Paper mill in Cantonment remains out of operation after the explosion last Sunday. However, Mill Manager Bretton Dejong said Tuesday the company plans to put employees back to work as soon as possible. How long it will take to get the mill back into full operation has yet to be determined. Meanwhile, International Paper joined government officials at a press conference Tuesday afternoon to discuss any possible health hazards from the dispersion of the “black liquor. Dr. John Lanza, director of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, said the black liquor no longer poses a significant public health risk as it may have when it was airborne immediately following the explosion. He said the remaining health threat is physical contact with the material which can be a skin, eye and respiratory irritant.
