U.S. Chemical Safety Board opens investigation into Maine pulp mill fatality

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announced that it has opened an investigation into a fatal chemical release at the Woodland Pulp, LLC facility in Baileyville, Maine.

The incident occurred on January 27, 2026, and resulted in the death of a 20-year-old University of Maine student who was participating in an internship at the facility. Nine additional workers were injured, including two who sustained serious injuries. One worker remains hospitalized.

According to initial information submitted by Woodland Pulp to the CSB, the incident may have involved the mixing of concentrated sulfuric acid with sulfurous compounds in an enclosed process sewer. The reaction is believed to have generated hydrogen sulfide, a highly toxic gas, which was released in the facility’s bleach plant area.

CSB Chairperson Steve Owens said the agency’s investigation will focus on determining the cause of the incident and identifying measures to prevent similar events in the future. The investigation will examine chemical handling practices, process safety systems, and emergency response actions at the facility. A team of CSB investigators has been deployed to the site and is collecting evidence, conducting interviews, and reviewing documents and data related to the release.

The CSB is an independent, nonregulatory federal agency responsible for investigating chemical incidents that result in or pose a risk of catastrophic releases of hazardous substances. The agency does not issue citations or fines but develops safety recommendations for companies, industry groups, labor organizations, and regulatory agencies based on its findings.