On Wednesday, Iggesund Bruk in the municipality of Hudiksvall announced that it is starting the annual “audit stop”, where operations are stopped for a week for the annual maintenance work.
At the same time, the company warns residents in the area that there may be smells similar to “cat piss and sour stromming”.
– We have issued this information in order to prepare people in case such odors arise that are not normal. Then they know what it is due to, says Therese Rahm, head of communications at Holmen.
– After all, we produce around the clock, so every year we take a stop like this to be able to, for example, inspect our boilers and carry out other entertainment activities, she continues.
“Unpleasant and strong”
The reason for the smell, which is described as “unpleasant and strong”, is the presence of sulfur compounds that are found in, among other things, cat urine and acid strömming.
“It comes from the release of small amounts of crude methanol, a biodegradable by-product from our production,” writes Holmen in a statement.
According to Holmen, the concentration of sulfur gases is so low that it poses no health risk.
Accommodation: “Smells disgusting”
When TV4 Nyheterna talks to residents in the area, the smell is felt again.
– It usually smells terribly disgusting, says Thord Arvidsson, who lives near the paper mill, to TV4 Nyheterna.
He is now considering moving because of “all the smell”.
– I will not stay here, he says.
Even Inger, who has lived in the area for 20 years, recognizes the smell of sour strömming.
– Sometimes it smells like acid flow, and sometimes I think it smells like sewage.
Inger says that she is used to the smell, but that she can sometimes be disturbed when the smell is very strong.
– Even if we close the windows and doors, it can smell because we have such poor ventilation in our old homes.