745F95001
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA 745-F-95-001
March 1995
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
&EPA
Expanding
Community
Right-to-Know:
Recent Changes
in the Toxics Release Inventory
. Vt
-------
his brochure explains how
-, EPA is expanding the
Community Right-to-Know
program through recent changes
to the Toxics Release Inventory,
including an alternate reporting
option that will reduce the
reporting burden on certain
businesses. EPA is also taking this
opportunity to alert the interested
community of possible changes in
TRI under consideration.
-------
What is TRI?
The Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know
Act of 1986 (EPCRA): contains a
number of provisions designed to
aid governments and the public
understand the presence of toxic
chemicals and potential hazards in
their communities. Section 313 of
EPCRA requires certain businesses
to submit reports each year on che
amounts of toxic chemicals their
facilities release into the environ-
ment, either routinely or as a result
of accidents. Reports must be sent
annually to EPA and state or tribal
governments, on or before July 1,
for activities that occurred during
the previous calendar year. The
information is compiled and made
available to the public as the Toxics
Release Inventory (TRI).
TRI reporting requirements cover
all manufacturing facilities in the
Standard Industrial Classification
(SIC) codes 20 through 39 with 10
EPCR.\ is also kne\rn .1? Title HI of SARA (the
Suftrfund Amendments ami Reauthorization Act
ijf I J3£). EPCRA's previsions aver emergency
f tanning, emergency release notification,
ccmmumtv right-to-leiio
-------
reported. TRI has quickly become
one of the most powerful tools in
this country for environmental
protection. The Inventory permits
the public to track chemical
releases at specific facilities and on
a community-wide and state-wide
basis. TRI is already being used
widely by industry, the states, and
environmental groups as a
scorecard for efforts to reduce toxic
releases/ Many companies have
already undertaken substantial
voluntary public commitments to
reduce their releases of TRI chemi-
cals.
Among such voluntary efforts is
EPA's J33/50 program.' In February
1991. EPA began contacting the
parent companies of TRI facilities
that reported using any of 17 high-
pnonty toxic chemicals to request
their participation in a voluntary
program promoting reductions in
direct environmental releases and
offsite transfers of these chemicals.
The 33/50 program de-rived its
name from its goals—an interim
33% reduction in the release and
' transfer of these chemicals by 1992
and an ultimate 50% reduction by
"By working with indus-
try and the communities
who use this data, we've
come uf with a common
sense way to make it
easier for industries that
release lower amounts of
these chemicals to pro-
vide the information that
citizens need and want
to know."
—EPA Administrator
Carol ;W. Browner
\'ov. 28, 1994
1995. Data from the 1992 TRI
reports reveals that releases and
transfers of 33/50 program chemi-
cals have declined by 40% since
1988 (the baseline year for the
program), surpassing the program's
1992 interim reduction goals by
more than 100 million pounds.
-------
Recent Changes
EPA has recently begun to
substantially expand TRI
coverage. In November 19-94. EPA
promulgated a regulation adding
236 chemicals and chemical
categories to the list of toxic
chemicals. At the same time, EPA
made it easier for businesses to
provide communities with the
information they need about low
volumes of chemical releases
through the use of a shorter, less
time-consuming reporting form.
These changes are discussed in
more detail below.
Expanding the List of
TRI Chemicals
In 1987, 320 chemicals and chemi-
cal categories were included on the
TRI list. As allowed for in the
statute, the number of listed
chemicals and the reporting
thresholds have changed since the
initial reporting year. Among the
changes, 32 chemicals were added
in November 1993, including tho,se
regulated under the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA) and certain hydrochloro-
fluorocarbons (HCFCs).: The most
recent expansion adds 286 listings.
The current total is 654 chemicals
and chemical categories.
i rule published m the Federal Register jn
Dettmherl, !•'
-------
Reporting on the additional chemi-
cals will be required beginning
•.vith the 1995 calendar year, with
the tirst reports submitted to EPA
and the states by July 1. 1996. EPA
has developed guidance to assist
the regulated community in
reporting on many of these new
chemicals. Copies of these guid-
ance documents can be obtained
from the EPCRA Hotline at 1-800-
535-0202.
Streamlined
Reporting Option:
New Short Form
EPA was petitioned by the Small
Business Administration and the
-American Feed Industry Associa-
tion to reduce the burden oFTRJ
reporting for certain types of small
businesses. EPA opened the issue
for public comment and debate,
through publication of the petitions
in the Federal Register, a public
meeting convened by EPA in
February 1994.and a
proposed rule published in
July 1994.
Upon review of the
comments and additional
analysis, EPA has decided
to establish a streamlined
reporting option for
facilities with low annual
reportable amounts of a
listed toxic chemical.
Facilities that have a total
annual reportable amount
of 500 pounds or less of a
TRI chemical, and that
manufacture, process or
use 1 million pounds or less of a
TFU chemical no longer need to
complete the current long Form R.
Instead, such facilities (which
otherwise meet the reporting
requirements of EPCRA Section
313) can submit a shorter, annual
certification statement. Such
facilities must also maintain
records substantiating'the calcula-
tions that support the facility's
eligibility for the short form.
EPA believes that this rule strikes a
positive balance between maintain-
ing the community's right-to-know
about toxic chemical releases, and-
the economic costs (both to EPA
and industry) of collecting the
information. Like the most recent
chemical expansion rule, this
reporting modification is effective
for reporting activities beginning
January 1. 1995 with reports due on
or before July 1, 1996. For copies
of the certification statement and
eligibility requirements, contact the
EPCRA Hotline at 1-800-535-0202.
-------
Looking Ahead
Industry Expansion
In April 1994, EPA indicated that it
would be moving forward to
expand the industries included
under TRI.
The primary focus for expansion
will.be industry sectors that contain
facilities which have significant
releases of TRI chemicals and
which are engaged in activities
directly related to the support of
manufacturing activities currently
covered in TRI. These are sectors
that provide the raw materials or
energy necessary for manufactur-
ing; distribute finished products as
well as raw materials; or treat and
dispose of the wastes generated in
manufacturing.
EPA's efforts to move forward in
this area have been built on public
dialogue with industry. During
May and June 1994. EPA convened
a series of focus groups and meet-
ings with representatives of
industry sectors as well as environ-
mentalists. Other public meetings
are planned, and information will
be exchanged with industry,
environmental organizations, and
state and local governments.
TRI Phase III:
Expanding the Types
of Data Elements
Collected
EPA's third phase of TRI expansion
involves exploring whether there
are certain pieces missing from TRI
that limit the achievement of its
fundamental mission. A public
meeting was held in September
1994 to hear views on the subject
from a wide range of stakeholders.
This initial consultation suggested
that data elements which should be
reviewed include facility-level
chemical use information and addi-
tional information on occupational
demographics.
-------
In order to review this issue. EPA
wanes to understand the underlying
questions that stakeholders think
should be answered by TRI'. A good
example is whether or not the ex-
isting TRI can actually serve as a
national indicator for pollution pre-
vention efforts. Some claim that
the existing TRI data already allows
this to be done, while others be-
lieve that facility level input/output
data, also called materials account-
ing data, is needed to look at this
question.
EPA has not yet made any decisions
on whether or not to pursue addi-
tional data elements for TRI. The
Agency is currently studying these
issues and will examine a broad
range of relevant issues such as the
cost of reporting, alternative data
elements that might meet the needs
identified, and the proper role and
authority of the federal government
in collecting this type of informa-
tion. EPA will employ an open and
.inclusive public process to shape
this project. A number of meetings
with stakeholders will be held to
facilitate participation and input.
-------
For More Information
For Information on
How to Report:
TRJ reports must be sent to EPA
and to designated state agencies by
July 1 each year, covering the prior
year's activities. Those who fail to
report as required are subject to
civil penalties of up to $25,000 a
day. To obtain the proper reporting
form, and for information on
facilities, chemicals, and threshold
quantities covered by TRI, contact
the EPCRA Hotline at 1-800-535-
0202 or 703-412-9877 in the
Washington, DC area.
For additional copies of this
brochure or a more detailed
brochure on EPCRA Section 3 13
Rilease Reporting Requirements (EPA
700/K-94-001). call the EPCRA
Hotline at 1-300-535-0202.
For the List of Chemicals
Subject to TRI Reporting,
Contact:
EPCRA Hotline
1-800-535-0202
For Help with Searches
and Access to Data:
TRI User Support provides access
and support to TRI data in various
formats, including printed reports,
online databases, CD-ROMs,
magnetic tapes, and computer
diskettes. Services include provid-
ing general TRI information, TRI
publications, searches,'searching
assistance, National Library of
Medicine TOXNET online search-
training, CD-ROM training,
referral to EPA regional or state TRI
contacts or other TRI resource
centers, and documentation support
for all public access TRI products.
Contact:
TRI-User Support
Office of Pollution Prevention and
Toxics
U.S. EPA (7407)
401 M Street SW
Washington, DC 20460
Tel: 202-260,1531
Fax: 202-260-4659
For Online Access to TRI,
Contact:
National Library of Medicine
Specialized Information Services
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20894
Tel: 301-496-6531
-------
To Access the TRI
Database:
To purchase TRI on CD-ROM,
microfiche diskette, magnetic tape,
or in reports and directories,
contact:
Government Printing Office
710 North Capitol Street NW
Washington, DC 20401
Tel: 202-783-3233
Fax: 202-512-1530
or:
NTIS
5285 Port Royai Road
Springfield, Virginia 22161
Tel: 703-487-4650 or 800-553-NTIS
For Information on the
Health and Safety of TRI
Chemicals:
TRI data from 19S7 to 1992
available on CD-ROMs are accom-
panied by a separate file of infor-
mation on the health, safety and
ecological effects of TRI chemicals.
The CD-ROM software supports
search, retrieval, and display of TRI
records, export of data to dBASE or
Lotus 1-2-3 format, and computing
of basic statistics, plus many more
features for accessing specific data.
Available through GPO or NTIS
(see addresses above). GPO stock
number 055-000-00469-2, $33, Tel:
202-512-1800, Fax: 202-512-2250.
NTIS: order number PB94-504230,
$45, Tel: 703-487-4650, Fax: 703-
321-8547.
For Exchange of
Information on Right-to-
Know Issues:
contact RTKNet (Right-to-Know" "
Network), an on-line, publicly
accessible network concerned with
environmental issues, particularly
those related to .right-to-know
provisions of EPCRA. Contact:
RTKNet
Unison Institute
1731 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20009-1146
Tel: 202-797-7200
Fax: 202-234-8584.
You can also register on-line by
modem at 202-234-8570.
-------
II ERA Regional TRI Contacts!
For technical assis-
tance, pollution
prevention, or regula-
tory information.
contact your state or
EPA Regional' Office.
Each state has an
EPCRA contact, and
each EPA Regional
Office has a desig-
nated TRI coordinator.
The EPA Regional TRI
contacts are:
EPA Region 1
Dwighc Peavey
Tel: 6 ["-565-4502
Fax: 617-565-4939
Connecticut. Maine,
Massachusetts.
New Hampshire.
Rhode Island. Vermont
EPA Region 2
Nora Lopez
Tel: 908-906-6S90
Fax: 908-321-6738
.
New jersey,
New York,
Puerto Rico,
Virgin Islands
EPA Region 3
Mikal Shabazz
Tel: 215-597-3659
Fax: 215-597-3156
Delaware, Maryland,
Pennsylvania, Virginia,
West Virginia,
District of Columbia
EPA Region 4
Pat Steed
Tel: 404-347-1033 x36
Fax: 404-347-1681
Alabama, Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky,
Mississippi.
North Carolina.
South Carolina,
Tennessee
EPA Region 5
. Thelma Codina
Tel: 312-386-6219
Fax: 312-353-4342
Illinois, Indiana,
Michigan, Minnesota,
Ohio, Wisconsin
EPA Region 6
Warren Layne
Tel: 214-665-8013
Fax: 214-665-2164
Arkansas, Louisiana,'
New Mexico,
Oklahoma, Texas
EPA Region 7
Jim Hirtz .
Tel: 913-551-7020
Fax: 913-551-7065
Iowa, Kansas,
Missouri, Nebraska
EPA Region 8
Kathie Atencio
Tel: 303-293-1735
Fax: 303-293-1229
•
Colorado, Montana,
North Dakota,
South Dakota, Utah,
Wyoming
EPA Region 9
Pam Tsai
Tel: 415-744-1 116
Fax: 415-744-1073
Arizona, California,
Hawaii, Nevada,
American Samoa,
Guam,
Trust Territories
EPA Region 10
Phil Wong
Tel: 206-553-4016
Fax: 206-553:8338
Alaska, Idaho, Oregon.
Washington
10
-------
SEPA
United States
Environmental Protection Agency
(7408)
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300
Recycled/Recyclable . Pnnted on 100% Recycled Paper (50% Postconsiimer) . Please Recycle as Newsprint
------- |