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Environmental Protection Agency's
Tox/c Chemical Release Inventory
on
The National Library of Medicine's
Toxicology Data Network (TOXNET) System
Quick Reference Guide April 1 990
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES * Public Health Service * National Institutes of Health
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AUG 8 1991
The Toxic Chemical Release Inventory
The Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI) is a series of online files operating on the National Library of
Medicine's TOXNET system. The files contain information on the annual estimated releases of toxic chemicals to
the environment and are based upon data collected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). TRI is
authorized by Title III of the SUPERFUND Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986. TRI contains
information on the releases (to air, water, land, or by underground injection) of over 300 chemicals and chemical
categories from facilities in Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes 20 through 39, and with 10 or more full-
time employees, and which exceed certain threshold quantities in their manufacture, processing or other uses.
Title III, also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, calls for the EPA to collect
these data nationwide on an annual basis. These data are provided on EPA Form R by the reporting facility.
Legislation also requires that TRI be made available to the public in the form of online databases. The National
Library of Medicine was identified as already having the resources in place to support the type of files needed and
to provide easy access to the public. Each online record in TRI contains data equivalent to one EPA Form R
submission and represents one reporting facility per one reported chemical. The data content of the TRI online
files is the sole responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency and the reporting facilities.
For more information on the Toxic Chemical Release Inventory, contact the TRI representatives at the following
organizations:
For questions about
TRI subject content:
For questions about
search strategy:
For user codes and
general assistance:
Environmental Protection Agency
TRI Hot Line
National Library of Medicine
Specialized Information Services
National Library of Medicine
MEDLARS Service Desk
(2Q3Q 479-2449 or
(800) 535-0202
(301) 496-6531
(800) 638-8480
Background
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Terminal Settings for Accessing TOXNET
Baud Rate: 300, 1200, or 2400 Parity: Even Data Bits: 7 Stop Bits: 1 Duplex: Full
Logging On TOXNET
via TYMNET
1. Follow procedures for your
telecommunications software to
conned to your local TYMNET node.
2. Af CONNECT followed by a row of
random characters, type your terminal
identifier.*
3. At "please log in:', enter toxnet.
4. You will see "HOST IS ON LWE'and a
welcome screen.
5. Enter your NLM user i.d. and password
separated by a forward dash.
via NLM/TYMNET Manu
1. Follow procedures for your
telecommunications software to
connect to your local TYMNET node.
2. At 'CONNECT followed by a row of
random characters, type your
terminal identifier.*
3. At "please log in:*, enter nlmmenu.
You will see the NLM Main Menu.
4. At 'Please select a service number
»", enter the number for TOXNET.
You wil see "HOST IS ON ONE" and a
welcome screen.
5. Enter your NLM user i.d and
password separated by a forward
slash.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
via Telenet
Follow procedures for your
telecommunications software to
connect to your local Telenet node.
At 'CONNECT, press twice.
At TERMINAL=", enter your terminal
identifier.*
At "6
, enter e toxnet.
You will sea TOXNET CONNECTED*
and a welcome screen.
Enter your NLM user i.d. and
password separated by a forward
slash.
The terminal identifier for most terminals and personal computers is a for TYMNET and d1 for Telenet. If these do not work
for your terminal, call the Telenet or TYMNET customer service number listed on the back of this Quick Reference Guide.
Logging On and Off
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via CompuServe
1. Follow procedures for your telecommunications
software to connect to your local CompuServe
node.
2. At "CONNECT*, press .
3. At 'Host Name:*, enter toxnet.
4. You will see "Connected to TOXNEr and a
welcome screen.
5. Enter your NLM user i.d. and password separated
by a forward slash.
via Infonet
1. Follow procedures for your telecommunications
software to connect to your local Infonet node.
2. At "CONNECT", press two or three times.
3. At "#", enter c.
4. At "CENTER:", enter tn.
5. At "COMMUNICATION ESTABLISHED", press .
You will see a welcome screen.
6. Enter your NLM user i.d. and password separated
by a forward slash.
Database Selection
After you enter your user i.d./password, you are prompted for your terminal type. Enter your terminal type or enter L to list the
available choices. Enter dumb if your terminal type does not match any of the choices. If a default terminal type is
displayed, press to select the default.
You are next prompted to choose the database you want to access. HSDB is the default database in TOXNET. For databases
with both direct and menu searching (only TRI at the present time), you are prompted for your searching mode of choice. You
may bypass any of this introductory sequence with either the FILE command, to go directly to your database of choice, or the
STOP Y command, to exit TOXNET.
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Logging Off
• If you have logged on directly, enter stop y to exit TRI and disconnect from TOXNET.
• If you have togged on through the NLM/TYMNET Menu and are searching directly, enter stop y to exit TRI and return to
the NLM Menu; then enter q to disconnect from TYMNET.
• K you have logged on through the NLM/TYMNET Menu and are searching using the TRI menus, enter e to exit TRI and
return to the NLM Menu; then enter q to disconnect from TYMNET.
Disconnect your modem following the instructions for your telecommunications software.
NOTE: It is important that you complete all steps in the logging off procedure.
Logging On and Off (cont.)
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TRI Unit Record
0. ** ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
TRIN TRI Number
SUB N EPA Submission Number
YR Reporting Year
DATE Last Revision Date
RLE N Record Length
1. FACID " FACILITY IDENTIFICATION
FACN Facility Number
EPAR EPA Region
FCOV Covered Facility
FAC * Facility
FNM Facility Name
FAD Facility Street Address
FCTY Facility City
FST Facility State
FZIP Facility Zip Code
FCO Facility County
FIPS FIPS State/County Code
PUBC Public Contact
TE L Public Contact Telephone Number
SI C Standard Industrial Classification Code
LAT Latitude
LONG Longitude
CLAT Centroid Latitude
CLONG Centroid Longitude
FOB N Facility Dun & Bradstreet Number
E P A N EPA Identification Number
NPDES NPDES Permit Number
UIC UIC ID Number
UINJ * Releases to Underground Injection
UINJE Underground Injection Estimates
UINJR Underground Injection Release
UINJB Basis of Estimate
UINJT Total Underground Injection Release
LAN D * Releases to Land
LANDE Land Release Estimates
LANDM Disposal Method
LANDR Land Release
LAN DB Basis of Estimate
LAN DT Total Land Release
ERELT Total Environmental Release
of the Chemical
WASTE " WASTE TREATMENT
TRE AT Treatment Methods/Efficiency
GWST General Wastestream
TRM Treatment Method
IN FLC Influent Concentration
SECT Sequential Treatment
TRE FF Treatment Efficiency
TRB Basis of Treatment Data
MINIM Waste Minimization
MOD Modification
Ml N CY Cur Yr Wastestream Qty
MINPY Prior Yr Wastestream Qty
MINPC Percent Change
MINDX Ratio Yr Prior to Rep Yr
MIN RA Reason for Action
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PAR * Parent Company Information
PNM Parent Company Name
PDB N Parent Company Dun * Bradstreet Number
2. ID " SUBSTANCE IDENTIFICATION
RN CAS Registry Number
NAME Name of Substance
SEC Trade Secret Status
TSN M Trade Secret Chemical Name
TSU M Trade Secret Chemical Effects Summary
MIX Mixture Component Identity
USE * Uses and Activities
MUSE Manufacturing Uses
PUSE Processing Uses
OUS E Other Uses and Activities
MAX Maximum Amount on Site
3. EREL ** ENVIRONMENTAL RELEASE OF CHEMICAL
AIR * Air Emissions
AIRNE Non-Point Air Emissions Estimates
Al RNR Non-Point Air Release
AIRNB Basis of Estimate
AIRP E Point Air Emissions Estimates
AIRPR Point Air Release
AI RP B Basis of Estimate
Al RT Total Air Release
WATER " Water Discharges
WE Water Discharge Estimates
RSTR Receiving Stream
WR Water Release
WB Basis of Estimate
S P E R Percentage from Storm Water
WT Total Water Release
5. OFFS '* OFF-SITE WASTE TRANSFER
POTW * Publicly Owned Treatment Works
POTWI POTW Identifiers
TWNM Name
TWAD Street Address
TWCTY City
TWST State
TWZIP Zip Code
TWCO County
TWTR POTW Transfer
TWB Basis of Estimate
POT WT Total POTW Transfer
OLOC * Other Off-Site Locations
OLOCI Other Off-Site Location Identifiers
OEPAN Off-Site EPA ID
ONM Off-Site Name
OAD Street Address
OCTY City
OST State
OZ1P Zip Code
OCO County
OCTL Control
OTR Off-Site Locations Transfer
OB Basis of Estimate
OTM Off-Site Treatment Method
OLOCT Total Off-Site Locations Transfer
File Structure
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TRI File Structure
TRI records are structured in a four-level hierarchy of data elements. This structure permits the grouping of
conceptually related elements to assist users in searching and viewing information. These data elements are the
subfield, data field, header, and category. Below is a portion of the TRI Unit Record with its data elements
identified. Indentations designate each data element's placement in the hierarchy.
EREL
WATER
WE
RSTR
WR
WB
SPER
WT
ENVIRONMENTAL RELEASE OF CHEMICAL [CATEGORY]
Water Discharges
Water Discharge Estimates
Receiving Stream
Water Release
Basis of Estimate
% from Stormwater
Total Water Release
[HEADER]
[DATA FIELD]
[SUBFIELD]
[SUBFIELD]
[SUBFIELD]
[SUBFIELD]
[DATA FIELD]
Subfietis are the most basic element. They always contain data. Related subfields are
grouped together under data fields.
Data fields serve in two capacities. When subfields are grouped under a data field, the field
serves as an organizer of the subfields. In this capacity, the data field does not contain data.
Other data fields contain data and do not have subfields grouped under them.
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Headers, identified in the Unit Record by a single asterisk (*), represent the next higher level of
structure. Headers never contain data but rather group together conceptually related data
fields and associated subfields. Not all data fields and subfields are grouped into headers.
Categories, identified in the Unit Record by a double asterisk ("), represent the highest
hierarchical level. Categories never contain data. They group together related headers, data
fields, and subfields. There are five major subject categories in TRI plus a category for
Administrative Information.
Each subfiekJ, data field, header, and category is abbreviated by a two- to five-letter mnemonic. In direct
searching, these mnemonics are used to limit a search or to select portions of a record to view. Entering the
EXPLAIN command followed by a particular mnemonic displays its full field name and a brief definition. For
example, while in direct mode, enter explain seqt to see a definition of the subfield abbreviated as SEQT.
TRI's four-tier data element arrangement simplifies searching and displaying data. For example, using a header
mnemonic enables you to search, in one step, all the data fields and subfields indented under that header.
Similarly, a header mnemonic can be used to view all the data fields and subfields grouped under it. Category and
data field mnemonics can be used in the same manner.
Some fiekJs/subfields may contain multiple occurrences of data and are thus known as "repeating" data elements.
Other fields/subfields are limited to single occurrences of data and are "non-repeating" data elements. The
subfields RSTR and WR. for example, are "repeating." That is, a particular TRI record may contain information on
several Receiving Streams and their associated Water Releases (e.g. 500 Ibs. to the Potomac River, 250 Ibs. to
the Anacostia River). On the other hand, the NAME field is non-repeating. There is only a single Name of
Substance for each TRI record.
File Structure (cont.)
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TRl Menu Searching
Menu searching on TRl is designed lor you if you have limited computer searching experience or use TRl
infrequently. Through a series of menu screens you are able either to search TRl or to select from a variety of
other options. Since the menus are fairly self-explanatory, menu searching does not require knowledge of a
command language. The menus provide prompts which lead you, step-by-step, through a search.
If you select TRl and menu searching during log-on, you are taken to the TRl Main Menu (shown below).
H-HELP M-MAIN Menu E-EXIT
TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE INVENTORY
TRl MAIN MENU
Would you like to:
[ 1 ] Look at sample TRl searches?
| 2} Menu Searching?
[3] Direct Searching?
[4] DisplayTOXNETnews?
[5] Display TOXNET notes?
[ 6 ] Send a comment to TRl representative?
[7] Obtain information on costs?
[8] Learn about other TOXNET Databases?
[ 9) Get general information about TRl?
Please enter the number or letter of your choice:
The "H»Help M-Main Menu E-Exrt" line appears on every
screen. At any point you can enter:
H to get help in making a selection. The HELP option
is context-sensitive, meaning the computer
program knows where you are in your search and
provides appropriate guidance.
M to return to the Main Menu.
E to exit TRl and the TOXNET system.
You can enter any number from 1 through 9. Enter 2 to proceed to menu searching. (It may be helpful to select
option 1 and review sample searches before selecting option 2, Menu Searching.)
Menu Searching
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Search Screens
After you enter 2 from the Main Menu, the system describes the procedures for menu searching. You are then
led through a maximum of five search screens which prompt you for information related to five topics. These five
screens are shown below in the order in which they appear.
1. Facility Location screen
H=HELP M=MAINMenu E=EXIT
TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE INVENTORY
FACILITY LOCATION
Do you wish to search the facility location by:
[ 1 ] State?
[2] State/City?
[3) State/County?
(4) ZIP Code?
[5 J EPA Region?
[Cl CONTINUE to next screen?
[SJ START a new search?
[ R| REVIEW search strategy?
[PJ PRINT/VIEW your records?
2. Facility Name/Identifiers screen
Please enter the number or letter ol your choice:
H.HELP M=MAINMenu E-EXIT
TOXC OEMCAL RELEASE INVENTORY
FACILITY NAME/DENTIFIERS
Do you wish to identify the tactty by:
11 ] Facility Name?
[2] Standard Industrial
Classification (SIC) Code?
[ 3 ] Dun S, Bradstrael (DSB)
Number?
[ 41 Parent Company Name?
Cl CONTINUE to next screen?
S] START a new search?
[R| REVIEW search strategy?
[P| PRINT/VIEW your records?
Rease enter the number or letter of your choice:
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3. Chemical Name/Identifiers screen
4. Publicly Owned Treatment Works Name/Identifiers screen
H-HELP M-MAINMenu E-EXIT
TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE NVENTORY
CHEMICAL NAME/IDENTIFIERS
Do you wish to search the chemical by:
[ 1 ] Chemical Name?
[2] Trade Secret Name?
[3] Chemical Mixture Name?
[4] Chemical Abstract Services
(CAS) Registry Number?
Please enter the number or letter of your choice:
[C] CONTINUE to next screen?
(S) START a new search?
[RJ REVIEW search strategy?
[P] PRINT/VIEW your records?
H.HELP M-MAIN Menu E.EXIT
TOXIC CHEMCAL RELEASE INVENTORY
PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS NAME/IDENTIFIERS
Do you with to identify the Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW)
•He by:
[1] POTWNome?
Stale?
City/State?
State/County?
[SJZpCode?
[C] CONTINUE to next screen?
IS] START a new search?
[R] REVIEW search strategy?
[P] PRINT/VIEW your records?
Pirate enter the number or letter ol your choice:
5. Other Waste Transfer Name/Identifiers screen
H=HELP M=MAIN Menu E=EXIT
TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE INVENTORY
OTHER WASTE TRANSFER NAME/IDENTIFIERS
Do you wish to identity the Other Waste Transfer (OLOC) siteby:
l1]OLOCNaroe?
[2] State?
13] City/State?
| 4] County/State?
[5]Zt>Code?
[C] CONTINUE to next screen?
[S] START a new search?
[R] REVIEW search strategy?
[P] PRINT/VIEW your records?
Please enter the number or letter of your choice:
The options on the left of each of the five search screens are specifically related to one of the five search screens
and change with each subsequent search screen. Selections on the right remain the same on each search
screen. They are described on the following page. Indicate your choice by entering a number or a letter.
Menu Searching (cont.)
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Conducting a Search
By entering the number of your search topic, you are given the opportunity to enter search term(s) relevant to the
selected topic. After you enter a search term or terms, the system performs the search and indicates the number
of records retrieved. You can enter another search term, choose to view the records retrieved or continue to the
next search screen. If you enter another search term for the same topic, the program logically ORs the terms
together, and retrieves records, each of which contain either the first term or the second, or the third, etc. If you
enter multiple search terms on different search screens, the program logically AMDs together your first results with
the later screen results. Each of the records retrieved contains all terms. The number of records retrieved for your
current search is displayed near the top of every search screen. This enables you to follow your search progress.
Other Selections on the Search Screens
The following options appear on the right side of all the search screens:
C continues through the menu sequence, screen by screen.
S starts a new search. (Caution: Your current search is cancelled.)
R reviews your search strategy, displays the search terms entered and records retrieved,
and how the system interpreted the terms.
P takes you to the PRINT options screen for viewing and/or downloading records.
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Viewing Retrieved Records
There are two screens for viewing and/or downloading retrieved records. After you search and retrieve records,
enter p to go to the first PRINT screen.
First PR INT screen
H=HELP M=MAIN Menu E=EXIT
TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE INVENTORY
SEARCH COMPLETION MENU
Would you like to:
[ 1 ] Browse your records online? [R] REVIEW your search strategy?
[2] Print/view in 15 line segments online? [S] START a new search?
[ 3 ] Print/view continuously online?
[4] Print your record offline?
j 5 j Download your records?
[6] Modify your search?
Enter the number or letter of your choice:
If you enter 1, the program displays on your screen the standard information fields from the retrieved records.
If you enter a number from 2 through 5 from the first screen, you are taken to the second PRINT screen.
If you enter 6, you can alter your current search by adding additional search terms.
Note: A downloading capability is under development at the time of this printing. If you enter 5, you are
prompted to turn your capture feature on and off using your telecommunications software. This enables
you to download records.
Menu Searching (cont.)
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Second PRINT screen
H-HELP M=MAIN Menu E=EXIT
TOXC CHEMICAL RELEASE NVENTORY
ONLINE PRINT/VIEW DISPLAY MENU
Select the format in which you wish to PRINT/VIEW our records:
[ 1 ] BRIEF? IR) REVIEW your search strategy?
[ 2 j EXTENDED? JS) START a new search?
i 3 ] COMPLETE? [CJ ToCONTINUE
Enter the number or letter of your choice:
The second PRINT screen offers three formals for viewing retrieved records. These formats are described below.
Brief displays the basic information for each record retrieved. This includes facility name and
location information, chemical identification and chemical release data.
Extended displays all the information from the Brief format with additional data fields from each record
retrieved.
Complete displays all the data fields from each record retrieved. Data fields which are empty, i.e., contain
no data, do not display.
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The List Feature
At certain points during a menu search, you can obtain an online list of valid search terms. For example, when
searching for a specific state, a list of all the two-letter state abbreviations is available; when searching for a
particular city or county, you can view a list of all cities or counties within the state in which you are interested.
When a list is available, the program prompts you either to enter a search term, or to enter L to obtain a list of valid
search terms.
If you choose L, you can review the list from the beginning by pressing , or you can review the list from a
point you designate by entering alphabetic characters. For example, if you have chosen to list the state codes,
you can start the list with AL (for Alabama) by entering al or if you enter de, the list of codes begins with that state
abbreviation. You can choose your search terms from the list by entering the number(s) corresponding to the
items you want to search.
For additional information on menu searching, refer to the TRI Reference Guide.
Menu Searching (cont.)
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TRI Direct Searching
With direct searching, the program only recognizes input from you when it is entered following a "USER:" cue.
Most often this cue is preceded by the question "[TRI] SS (n) /cf?", requesting a search statement (SS) or a
command. You type in search statements after the "USER:" cue and send them by pressing the key.
The program communicates with you by responding with program messages following the "PROG:" cue. Program
messages guide the flow of user/program interaction, giving you information, responding to search statements
and commands, and posing questions to obtain information needed by the program to continue an interaction.
A search, consisting of one or more search statements used to define an area of interest, and the strategy, used
to combine terms, points to a set of logically related records. Your search may consist of a single term or of multiple
terms and involve the use of several types of search tools.
The four search tools you can use to develop your search are 1) logical operators, 2) truncation, 3} qualifiers and
4) commands. This section contains a discussion of each of these tools plus Sample Searches, a section on using
the PRINT command for displaying your retrieved records and a discussion of some Special Features unique to
the TRI file.
Direct Searching
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TRI Search Tools
Logical Operators
Three logical operators, listed here in order of processing, can be used:
and and not or
The AND logical operator is used to create retrieval sets in which each record retrieved contains each search term
entered. For example, entering
(fnm) acme and benzene (name)
retrieves records in which both acme and benzene appear; acme as the Facility Name and benzene as the Name
of Substance.
The AND NOT logical operator is used to create a retrieval set which excludes records containing the term that
follows the AND NOT. For example, entering
(fnm) monsanto and not loulsville (fcty)
retrieves records in which monsanto appears as the Facility Name, but from this retrieval set, any record containing
Louisville as the Facility City is excluded. The order of search terms is not crucial although the positioning of
mnemonics and logical operators, as discussed later in this section, is important.
The OR logical operator is used to create retrieval sets in which each record retrieved contains either one or more
of the terms entered. For example, entering
(fst) sc or nc or ga
retrieves records in which either sc (South Carolina), nc (North Carolina) or ga (Georgia) appear as the Facility State.
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Truncation
Search terms can be truncated on the right using a colon (:} to represent any number of characters or a
space. For example, entering
Inhal:
looks for all search terms which begin with this stem, including inhale, inhales, inhaling, inhalant, etc. You can then
select the terms you want to retrieve.
Qualifiers
Search terms can be entered with or without qualifiers. Qualifiers are mnemonics enclosed in parentheses, which
define the data elements to be searched. For example, the qualifier (FNM) can be used to limit your search to just
Facifity Names.
If no qualifiers are used, the format of a search statement is:
or
If qualifiers are used, a single search term can either be "pre-" or "post-" qualified. For example, entering
(fnm) dow
or
dow (fnm)
both search specifically for the term dow In the Facility Name field.
However, when combining search terms using logical operators), the first search term must be pre-qualilied and
the other search term(s) with different qualifier(s) must be post-qualified. For example:
(fnm) monsanto and benzene (name)
Search Tools
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TOXNET Commands
The commands listed alphabetically below can be used (or searching and viewing records in TRI. For more information on a
specific command, enter explain while online. Examples using many of these commands can be
found in the Sample Searches and Special Features sections of this Guide.
Command Abbreviation
ALL ^truncated or multi-meaning search term>
CALCULATE
COMMENT
CALC
DISPLAY
DISPLAY CALCULATE DISPLAY CALC
DISPLAY
ERASEALL ERSLL
ERASEBACK
ERASEBACK SS
ERSBK. BACKUP
ERSBKSS
Function
Searches for all possible terms indicated by a
truncation or for all possible meanings of a multi-
meaning term, avoiding a multi-meaning message,
(A multi-meaning message indicates that there is
more than one variation of a truncated stem in the
index.)
Allows for numerical operations on a TRI retrieval set.
Refer to the Special Features section of this Guide for
more detailed information.
Allows you to send a message online to system
management personnel at NLM. Enter your message
at the "USER:" prompt, pressing for each
new line. Enter the word done or finished on a new
line to send your message.
Shows a listing and descriptions} of all completed
search statements for the current session.
Allows the user to review calculation results.
Shows the search formulation for a saved search.
Erases all completed search statements and returns
you to the "[TRI] SS 1 /d?" prompt.
Erases your last search statement.
Erases all search statements back through the
search statement indicated.
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EXPLAIN
EXPLAIN ERROR
EXPLAIN LIST
EXPLAIN
FILE
FILES
HELP
MODE
NEIGHBOR
EX
EX ERROR
EX LIST
EX
NBR
NEIGHBOR mnemonic NBR mnemonic
NEIGHBOR ALL
NEWS
NBRALL-derm>
Describes the EXPLAIN command and how it
operates.
Displays an explanation of your last error message.
Displays a list of all "EXPLAINable" terms.
Displays the meaning of the specified command,
program message, operating procedure or data
element.
Transfers you to another file or files.
Displays a list of all file names available for searching
and the name of the file presently being used.
Provides online assistance for common user
problems.
Is a bridge between the different interfaces of the
system, allowing you to switch between them. In TRI,
the current interfaces are COMMAND (direct
searching) and MENU.
Displays a list of search terms that alphabetically
follow the term designated with NBR. The number of
records containing each term is also shown.
Displays a list of search terms from the specified data
element that alphabetically follow the term designated
with NBR. The number of records containing each
term is also shown.
Displays a list of unique search terms from the entire
database that alphabetically folbw the term
designated with NBR. The number of records
containing each term is also shown.
Allows you to access and view online information
about new TOXNET system and file developments.
Search Tools (cont)
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Command
NOTES
PRINT
PRINT
PRINT
Abbreviation
PRT
PRT
PRT
PRINT xrecord no.> PRT :
PRINT COMPUTE PRT COMPUTE
PRINT CONTINUOUS
PRINT DETAILED
PRTCONT
PRTDL
PRINT EXCLUDE PRT EXCLUDE
PRINT HfTS
PRINT HfTS COMPLETE
PRT HfTS
PRT HITS COMPLETE
PRINT INCLUDE PRT INCLUDE
Function
Allows you to access and view the TOXNOTES which
include information on meetings, courses and
publications of interest. Follow prompts to display
NOTES of interest.
Displays the standard data fields from the records in
your current retrieval set.
Displays the data fields indicated by the mnemonic(s)
for the records in the current retrieval set. Separate
mnemonics with commas or spaces.
Displays only the designated record in the current
retrieval set.
Displays only records in the designated range.
Can be used to perform certain mathematical
functions as part of a PRINT command. Refer to the
Special Features section of this Quids or enter
explain prt compute while online for a list of the
functions which are available.
Displays results of a search without breaks for the
'CONTINUE PRINTING? (YES/NO)" question.
Displays all fields containing data from the current
record retrieval set.
Suppresses the PRINTing of specified data elements
that would otherwise display.
Displays only those data occurrences from your current
record set which contain matches to your search terms.
Is an option for use with TRI subfields. The specific
subfield that matched your search strategy will display
together with its associated subfields in linked fashion.
Displays standard PRINT items plus those indicated
by the mnemonics).
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PRINT INDENTED
PRINT OFFLINE
PRINT SS
PROF MODIFY
PROF MODIFY PRTGRP
SAME ( AND <$earch term(s)>
SAVE
SAVESEARCH
SHOW COST
STOP Y
Displays the full names of data fields.
Initiates the PRINTing and mailing of search results
from NLM. The printout is mailed the next working
day.
Displays the basic data fields from the records
defined by the designated search statement.
Displays your user profile including password, name
and address, and page length and width.
Allows you to change the information stored in your
user profile.
Allows you to store or revise sets of data fields (print
groups) which can be PRINTed like categories or
headers by naming the print group in a PRINT
statement.
Retrieves records in which search terms appear in the
same occurrence of a data element.
Enables you to save a completed search series.
Saves all statements beginning with Search
Statement 1 for which record sets were retrieved.
Follow the prompts to complete the procedure.
Is used before you enter a search series. All terms
entered during the SAVESEARCH procedure are
saved whether they yield records or not. Follow the
prompts and enter finished on a new line when your
search series is completed.
Displays an estimate of the costs of your online
session.
Disconnects you from TOXNET.
Search Tools (cont)
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Searching TRI
There are a variety of approaches to searching TRI depending upon the information you have and the information
you want to obtain. The most common approaches to searching TRI are discussed below.
Substance Name Searching
You can search for a substance record by entering a single or multi-word chemical, commercial, or trivial name
preceded by the Name field mnemonic in parentheses. For example, entering
(name) ammonia
or
(name) aluminum oxide
retrieves records reporting ammonia or aluminum oxide releases.
Registry Number Searching
CAS Registry Numbers can be entered as search terms, with or without a qualifier in TRI. For example, entering
(rn) 7664-41-7
or
7664-41-7
retrieves all the records reporting releases of ammonia.
Facility Name Searching
When searching for a facility or parent company name, combine the individual words using the logical operator
AND and pre-qualify using the FNM mnemonic. For example, entering
(fnm) best and chemical
retrieves records in which best and chemical both appear in the Facility Name field. It does not retrieve records in
which only best appears in the Facility Name field. Entering
(pnm) union and International
retrieves records in which union and international both appear in the Parent Company Name field.
Sample Searches
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If you are not sure of the exact name of the facility, use the NEIGHBOR command to took for variations in the TRI
index. For example, entering
nbr acme (fnm)
allows you to view acme plus the terms which follow alphabetically in the Faciity Name field index. You can then
enter the numbers) of the term(s) of interest to retrieve records.
Searching by Geographic Location
To retrieve records for reporting facilities located in a specific geographic area, you can search certain fields under
the Facility (FAC) header. To retrieve records for facilities in a specific state, search the Facility State field using the
(FST) qualifier with the two-letter postal abbreviation for the state. For example, entering
(fst) va
retrieves records for reporting facilities located in the State of Virginia.
When searching using a zip code qualifier, you can enter five-digit or nine-digit zip codes. For example, entering
(fzlp) 23228
retrieves all records for reporting facilities with a zip code of 23228. Note that when you enter a five-digit zip code,
the program automatically retrieves any four-digit extensions of that code.
Searching Special Data Fields
Special State/City and State/County fields were created for searching combinations. The mnemonics and names
for these specially created fields are shown below.
FSTCY Facility State/City
FSTCO Facility State/County
TSTCY Publicly Owned Treatment Works State/City
TSTCO Publicly Owned Treatment Works State/County
OSTCY Other Off-Site Locations State/City
OSTCO Other Off-Site Locations State/County
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For example, you can search for a facility State/City combination by entering
(fstcy) md/baltlmore
to retrieve records for faculties in Baltimore, Maryland.
You can search for a State/County combination by entering
(ostco) tx/dallas
to retrieve records for Other Off-Site Locations in Dallas County, Texas.
Use the NEIGHBOR command to browse an alphabetic list of cities or counties within a state. For example,
entering
nbr tn/ (fstcy)
displays cities within the State of Tennessee that can be used in a search.
For more information on the State/City and State/County combinations, refer to the TRI Reference Guide or enter
an explain command when online.
Subject or Concept Searching
Typically, you must use logical operators (AND, OR, AND NOT) when entering multi-word terms or concepts. You
often need to use truncation, and you should qualify your search using category, header, field, or subfield
mnemonics. (Refer to the section on Search Toots in this Quick Reference Guide tor additional information on
logical operators, truncation, qualifiers and commands.)
It is important to remember that qualifiers may either precede or follow the first term of your search statement.
Qualifiers must follow subsequent terms if they are to be searched in a different field. For example, entering
(fnm) monsanto and ca (fst)
retrieves all records in which monsanto appears in the Facility Name field and California appears in the Facility State
field.
The SAME command is occasionally needed to avoid retrieving irrelevant occurrences. For example, entering
same (onm) liquid and waste and disposal
retrieves records in which liquid, waste and disposal are found in the same occurrence of the Off-Site Name
subfield.
Sample Searches (cont)
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PRINT!ng in TRI
PRINT
The PRINT command is used to display the
retrieved records. The PRINT command can
be used alone or in conjunction with several
different PRINTing options. Unless you
specify otherwise, the PRINT command
defaults to the last search statement. PRINT
entered alone displays the following fields:
Facility Name
Name of Substance
CAS Registry Number
EPA Submission Number
Last Revision Date
Record Length
The first four data fields in this list appear as
standard PRINT items.
PRINTing Options
You can tailor your display by including
various options in your PRINT statement.
These options are listed below.
exclude
: include
compute indented
continuous offline
These options can be entered in any order
following prt in a PRINT statement. You
may want to refer to the previous section
onSearch Tools for a detailed description
of each PRINTing option. Some of the most
commonly used PRINTing options for TRI
are described here.
PRINT
Use PRINT followed by data element
mnemonic(s) for selective PRINTing. For
example, entering prt alrpr displays the
Point Air Releases for the retrieved records.
When you enter more than one mnemonic,
separate them with commas or spaces. For
example, entering prt use erel displays the
Use and Activities and the Total Environmental
Release of Chemical for the retrieved records.
PRINT HITS
The PRINT HITS command displays only the
occurrences of data fields containing your
search term(s).
PRINT HITS COMPLETE
PRINT HITS COMPLETE is used in
conjunction with a subfield search. After you
have searched on a subfield, entering print
hits complete displays that subfield together
with its associated subfields. For example, pit
hits complete entered following the search
statement (rstr) potomac displays
occurrences of data from the Receiving Stream
subfield that matched potomac as well as
related subfields for WR, WB, etc.
PRINT SS
If you want to display records from a search
statement other than the most current, use the
PRINT SS option. For example, at "[TRI] SS
4/cf?", entering print ss 2 displays the
standard data fields from the records retrieved
in Search Statement 2.
For more information on any of these PRINT
command options, refer to the Search Tools or
Special Features sections of this Quick
Reference Guide. You can also consult the
TRI Reference Guide or enter explain prt
while online.
PRINTing
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TRI Special Features
The TRI file contains much numeric data. To facilitate numerical searching and manipulation of the data, some new
TOXNET commands have been implemented. Following is a discussion of these special TRI search features.
Ranging
Ranging allows you to set numerical boundaries for a specified field in a search statement. There are three ranging
operators:
LESS THAN
GREATER THAN
FROM TO
For example, entering
(fst) md and greater than 1000000 (wt)
retrieves records for all facilities in the state of Maryland which reported Total Water Releases of a chemical greater
than 1,000,000 pounds. In this same example you could replace greater than with less than to retrieve
records reporting less than 1,000,000 pounds.
You can also retrieve records using a range of numbers. For example, entering
(fzlp) from 44101 to 44200
retrieves all reporting facilities with zip codes from 44101 to 44200.
Special Features
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Other TOXNET Files
TRI provides information primarily on the releases of toxic chemicals to the environment or their transfer to waste
sites. Although a brief health effects summary is included for the handful of trade secret chemicals, TRI generally
does not contain any information on toxicity, exposure, environmental fate or regulatory activities.
Fortunately, if you are interested in finding out more information about a particular chemical, the other TOXNET
databases do contain a wealth o! information. Using the FILE command in direct search mode allows you to
transfer easily from TRI into one of the other TOXNET files; for example, file hsdb transfers you into the
Hazardous Substances Data Bank. Likewise, file rtecs transfers you into the Registry of Toxic Effects of
Chemical Substances. If you are interested in risk assessment, you can enter file Iris to search the Integrated
Risk Information System (IRIS).
The constituent files of TOXNET are listed below with brief summaries of some of the major categories of
information that they contain.
HSDB (Hazardous Substances Databank):
Manufacturing and Use, Chemical and Physical Properties, Safety and Handling, Toxicity and Biomedical Effects,
Environmental Fate and Exposure, Exposure Standards and Regulations, and Laboratory Monitoring and Analysis
Methods
CCRIS (Chemical Carcinogenesls Research Information System):
Carcinogenicity Studies, Mutagenicity Studies, and Tumor Promotion Studies
RTECS (Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances):
Mutagenicity Studies, Carcinogenicity Studies, Skin and Eye Irritation, Reproductive Studies, General Toxicity and
Exposure Standards and Regulations
IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System):
Health Risk Assessments for noncarcinogenicity and Carcinogenicity, Drinking Water Health Advisories, and
Exposure Standards and Regulations
DBIR (Directory of Biotechnology Information Resources):
Descriptive information about databases, networks, organizations, collections, repositories, publications,
nomenclature groups, and other information pertinent to the field of biotechnology
E71CBACK (Environmental Teratology Information Center Backflle);
Citations to the scientific literature for teratology and developmental toxicology published from 1950-1988
EMICBACK (Environmental Mutagen Information Center Backfile):
Citations to the scientific literature for mutagenesis published from 1950-1988
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Other NLM Files
In addition to the TOXNET files described above, there are other files, such as ChemID and TOXLINE, which are
managed by the National Library of Medicine's Toxicology Information Program and reside on a physically separate
computer system (ELHILL).
To make transferring to files on the ELHILL system as easy as possible, a TOXNET Gateway has been constructed
which transparently switches users into the ELHILL system via the FILE command. Entering file chemllne, for
example, transfers you to the CHEMLINE database for searching.
NLM Files
ELHILL System
• CHEMLINE
• ChemID
• TOXLINE
- DIRLINE
- Many others
TOXNET
Gateway*
TOXNET System
TRI
HSDB
CCRIS
RTECS
IRIS
DBIR
EMICBACK
ETICBACK
*Note: You must first tog on to the TOXNET system in order to use the Gateway. Once logged onto TOXNET,
you can move back and forth between the two systems using the FILE command.
Other Sources of Information
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Telephone Numbers to Call for Assistance
For questions on the system, telecommunications problems, computer program
interpretation, etc.:
TOXNET: 1-800-231-3766 (Sentient Systems, Inc.)
ELHILL: 1-800-638-8480 (MEDLARS Service Desk)
1-800-272-4787 (NLM Information)
For technical assistance on a file or on a search strategy:
(301) 496-6531, FTS 496-6531 (Specialized Information Services, NLM)
For questions regarding the content of the TFU file:
(20*) 479-2449, (800) 535-0202 (Environmental Protection Agency)
Customer Service Telephone Numbers for Telecommunication Networks
(Use these for obtaining local numbers for your area or for network assistance.)
CompuServe: 1-800-848-8990
Infonet: 1-800-272-8737
Telenet: 1-800-336-0437
TYMNET: 1-800-336-0149
This work was performed by Assessment and Field Support Programs, Training and Management Systems Division,
Oak Ridge Associated Universities, under contract number DE-AC05-76OR00033 with the U.S. Department of Energy.
4/6/90
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