The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is opening an investigation into the fatal chemical release that occurred on January 27, 2026, at the Woodland Pulp facility in Baileyville, Maine.
The incident at the pulp production facility resulted in the death of one person, a 20-year old University of Maine student who was a intern at the facility. Nine other workers were injured, two of them seriously.
According to initial information submitted by the company, the incident may have involved the mixing of concentrated sulfuric acid with sulfurous compounds in an enclosed process sewer, resulting in the generation and release of hydrogen sulfide, a highly toxic gas, in the bleach plant area of the facility.
Woodland Pulp produces pulp that is sold to companies that make paper. It is the largest employer in Washington County, with approximately 310 employees.
The company laid off about one-third of its employees for a month in November and reopened in December. The company told the The Maine Monitor that the “extended downtime” was due to declining prices in the global pulp market.
CSB Chairperson Steve Owens said CSB’s investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the release, including the company’s chemical handling practices, process safety systems, and emergency response actions.
The CSB is a nonregulatory federal agency charged with investigating incidents and hazards. The board does not issue citations or fines but makes safety recommendations.
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