Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)
Public Data Release Report
EPA 260-R-04-003

June 2004

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What is the Toxics  Release Inventory?
The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)  is a database that
contains  detailed  information  on  nearly  6511
chemicals and chemical categories that over
2i 1.1 ii ii i  industrial  and other  facilities
manage through  disposal or other
releases, recycling, energy recov-
ery or treatment (see Figure  1).     ,
The data are collected from    ^
industries including mami-    ^J?
tacturing, metal and  coal    <$O
mining, electric utilities.
commercial   hazardous
waste  treatment,   and
other industrial sectors.
                                                                  Figure 1: Information Collected Under TRI
                                                                              %
                                                     Underground >
                                                    . Injection

                                                                        RecycUng

                                             Land
                                                                                 E
                                                                                 Energy
                                                                                 Recovery
                                      Air
\

 Treatment
                                Surface
                                 Water
                                                    ^TRANSFERS ^
                                                                Ife
Section  313   of  the
Emergency   Planning
and Community  Right
to Know Act (EPCRA)
of  1986  \vas  enacted
to  facilitate  emergency
planning, to minimize the
effects  of  potential  toxic
chemical  accidents, and  to
provide the  public with  in-
formation  on  releases  of toxic
chemicals in their communities.The
Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) of 1990
mandates collection of data on toxic chemi-
cals that are treated on-site, recycled, and com-
busted for energy recovery. Together, these  laws  require
facilities in certain industries, which  manufacture, process, or use toxic chemicals above specified amounts.
to report annually on disposal or other releases and other waste management activities related to these chemicals.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains this information in a national database called the
Toxics Release  Inventory, which  is available to the public via the Internet www.epa.gov/tri.
                                                      'Publicly-Owned Treatment Works
What are the benefits  of TRI  data?
The TRI provides the  public with unprecedented access to information about toxic chemical releases and
other waste management activities on a local, state, regional and national level.

TRI data help the public, government officials and industry:
• identify potential concerns and gain a better understanding of potential risks;
• identify priorities and opportunities to work  with industry and  government  to  reduce toxic chemical
  disposal or other releases and potential risks associated with them; and
• establish reduction targets and measure  progress toward reduction goals.

TRI data are widely used across EPA programs. For example, the National Partnership  for Environmental
Priorities, an  element of the Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC), uses TRI data to identity facilities
that may present pollution prevention opportunities.TRI data are also used by EPA in the Risk Screening
Environmental Indicator (RSEI) tool, which provides users with additional understanding of chronic human
health and potential exposures associated  with TRI chemicals.You can learn about other  EPA programs and
tools that utilize TRI data by visiting EPA's Web Site at www.epa.gov or from EPA's  publication Hi'ir .mj ilic
7i>.v/o Rr/t'ibr Iiii'cniory  Ddtd I "M'I/? at www.epa.gov/tri/guide_docs/2003_datausepaper.pdf.

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                         What do TRI data show for

                         reporting year (RY) 2002?
                        For RY 2(H 12. a total of 24,379 facilities, including Federal
                       facilities, reported to EPA s TRI Program. They reported
                      4.79 billion pounds of on-site and off-site disposal or other
                    releases of the almost 650 toxic  chemicals,  as shown in Table
                  1. Over 89 percent of the total was disposed of or other\\ ise
               released on-site. with almost 1 1  percent sent in  waste off-site for
          disposal or other releases, as shown in Figure 2.

FBT chemicals accounted tor 451.9 million pounds  ot reported on- and off-site
disposal or other releases in 2( H)2. Ot that total, lead and lead compounds accounted
tor 98 percent or 441.8 million pounds.Total disposal  or other releases tor mercury
and mercury compounds were 5.3 million pounds and, tor dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds, they were  452.209 grams. One facility, however,  reported 311.022
grams of total disposal or other releases of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in
error for RY 2002. Without the report by this one facility, total disposal or other
releases  of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds were  141,187 grams.

All federal facilities, whether operated by federal agencies or contractors (e.g. mili-
tary bases), are required to report to EPA's TRI Program.  For RY 2o()2, a total of
315 federal facilities  submitted  1,002 forms  and reported S5.2 million pounds ot
total on- and off-site disposal  or other releases.


How  did the TRI  data change over time?
While the database shows a  15% decrease (819.4 million pounds) in total disposal or
other releases nationwide from 2oo 1 to 2002, the decrease is largely attributable to a
court decision affecting the  metal mining sector. Without metal mining, there was a
5".. increase from 2001 to 2002. largely due to increases reported by one facility. Pro-
duction-related waste decreased by 4% from 2001 to  2002 or by 0.3% without metal
mining.After correcting for certain facility reporting errors, P13T chemicals show a 3%
increase in disposal or other releases for lead and lead compounds  and a 5% decrease
in dioxin and dioxin-like compounds. Mercury and mercury compounds increased by
10%, however, air emissions of mercury and its compounds decreased by 4%.

Metal mining accounted for  26% of the total disposal or other releases on- and
off-site  in 2002. This sector reported an  overall decrease of 43% from 2001,
largely related to the court's decision in Barrick Goldstrike Mines v. EPA.
The  electric utilities sector accounted for 23% of total disposal  or other
releases  in 2002 compared to 19% in 2001, making it the second largest
industry segment behind metal mining.

Federal facilities showed an overall increase in  disposal or other releases of 6.8
million  pounds or 9 percent. Total production-related waste managed at  fed-
eral facilities decreased by 13.2 million pounds or 6 percent from 200]  to 2002.

Starting in 1998, additional industries were required to report, including electric utilities,
metal and coal mines, commercial hazardous waste treatment facilities and solvent recov-
ery facilities, chemical  wholesale distributors and petroleum terminals and bulk stations.
From 1998 to 2oo2,allTRI facilities, including those from the sectors added in 1998, have
reported a reduction of 37 percent, as shown in Figure 3.
Manufacturing facilities have been required to report to  EPA's TRI Program
since the beginning of the Program in  1987. From 1988 to 2002. manufac-
turing facilities decreased their on- and  off-site disposal or other releases by
49 percent, .is shown in Fimire 4.

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 Toxics Release  Inventory, 2002
              24.379
          TRI facilities
     reported 4.79  billion
      pounds of on- and
        off-site disposal
       or other releases
           for  RY 2002
        On-site Disposal to
 Class I Underground Injection Wells.
      RCRA Subtitle C Landfills.
        and Other Landfills
              127.
ON-SITE
Figure 2: Distribution of TRI Disposal or Other Releases. 2002
                 Off-site Disposal to
                Underground Injection
            Wells. RCRA Subtitle C Landfills.
                 and Other Landfills
                        67.
                             OFF-SITE

                         Other Off-site Disposal
                           or Other Releases
                                 5Z
             Other On-site Disposal
               or Other Releases
                    111
           IXu.i are  from TRI Form R, Section 5 (all
           parts) and 6.1  (metals and metal compounds
           only) .ind 6.2 (disposal codes only and metals
           and  metal compounds reported under codes
           M40 and  M61) as of April, 2<>i>4.
  What  do  TRI  data  show  over  a
  longer  period  of time?
                                                                  Figure 3: Total On- and Off-site Disposal or Other Releases. 1998-2002
                                    6.933
                                                                                                          Metal Mining
                                                                                                          Electric Utilities
                                                                                                         | All Others
                       Total
                   on- and oft-site
                  disposal or other
               releases from all facilities
                  decreased by 37':<.
                  from W8-2002.
  Figure k- Total On- and Off-site Disposal or Other Releases. 19B8-2002
               Data are trom FKI Form R. Sections 5 (all parts) and 6.1  (metals and met-
               al compounds  only)  and 6.2  (Disposal  codes only  and metals and metal
               compounds reported under codes M40  and MM). Does not include P13T
               chemicals, vanadium and vandium compounds. Does not  include transfers
               Co disposal or other releases sent Co other TRI facilities that reported  the
               amounts as on-^ite disposal or other relcasev D;u,i as of April 2(M»4.







2.





00
2,325




2.



58
Lift
1.!


to ,.


32 1.902 1.BU






1786


1.7

1.135 1.591

1.1
07
                                                                                               Total
                                                                                          on-and off-site
                                                                                      disposal or other releases
                                                                                      of the original chemicals
                                                                                          from the original
                                                                                       types of manufacturing
                                                                                     facilities decre.i-.ed by 49%
                                                                                          from 1988-20(12.
Data are from TRI Form, Sections 5 (all parts) and fi.l (metals .ind metal com-
pounds only) and o.2 (1 )isposal codes only and metals and metal compounds re-
ported under codes M4(l and MM i. 1 >ocs not include delisted chemicals, chemi-
cals ,uldcd in ]'>'«>, 1'1'M and I'W.S, aluminum oxide, jmmonia. hydrochloric acid,
I'UT chemicals, sutfuric acid, v.inadiuni and \Miiadium compounds. For the years
1'WS and after, dni-s not include  industries, other than manufacturing industries.
that are rcejiimd to report tor I'l'.is .nul Liter vc.if. onK I ).u.f .is nt April 2
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                   TABLE 1: TRION-SITE AND OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES. 2002
ON-SITE DISPOSAL TO CLASS I UNDERGROUND INJECTION WELLS. RCRA SUBTITLE C LANDFILLS. AND OTHER LANDFILLS
   Class I Wells
   RCRA Subtitle C Landfills
   Cither On-site Landfills
OTHER ON-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
   Fugitive Air Emissions
   Point Source Air Emissions
   Surface Water Discharges
   Class II-V Wells
   Land Treatment
   Surface Impoundment
   Other Land Disposal
TOTAL ON-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
OFF-SITE DISPOSAL TO UNDERGROUND INJECTION WELLS. RCRA SUBTITLE C LANDFILLS. AND OTHER LANDFILLS
   Underground Injection
   RCRA Subtitle C Landfills
   Other Landfills
OTHER OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
   Storage Only
   Solidification/Stabilization (Metals and Metal Category Compounds Only)
   Wastewater Treatment (Excluding POTWs) (Metals and Metal Category Compounds Only)
   Transfers to POTWs (Metals and Metal Category Compounds Only)
   Surface Impoundments
   Land Treatment
   Other Land Disposal
   Other Off-site Management
   Transfers to Waste Broker for Disposal
   Unknown
TOTAL OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
TOTAL ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
     POUNDS
  597.147.619
  201.816.839
  123.161.569
  272.169.211
3.681.638.975
  209.779.007
1.422.167.217
  229.976.391
  20.520.746
  21.861.484
  795.053.151
  982.280.979
4.278.786.594
  272.583.110
   9.483.341
  37.192.833
  225.906.936
  241.140,625
   9.126.232
  126.677.019
   3.566.759
   1.969.565
  16.754.521
   9.712.740
  39.724.984
  15.179.036
  12.917.807
   5.511.962
  513.723.735
4.792.510.329
Note: Data are from TRI Form R, Section 5 (all parts) and 6.1 (metals and metal compounds only) and 6.2 (disposal codes only and metals and
metal compounds reported under codes M40 and M61) as of April 2004. Off-sice Disposal or Other Releases transferred to otherTRI facilities
reporting such transfers as on-site disposal or other releases are not included.

These  24,379  facilities  reported almost 26.2 billion pounds  of TRI chemicals  in waste managed during
2002. Almost 30  percent was recycled on-site, 28 percent was treated on-site and 19 percent was disposed
of or otherwise released on- and oft-site, as shown in Table 2.
          TABLE 2: QUANTITIES OF TRI CHEMICALS IN WASTE BY WASTE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY. 2002
                 WASTE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY
                    Quantity Recycled On-site
                    Quantity Recycled Off-site
                    Quantity Used for Energy Recovery On-site
                    Quantity Used for Energy Recovery Off-site
                    Quantity Treated On-site
                    Quantity Treated Off-site
                    Quantity Disposed of or Otherwise Released On- and Off-site
                 TOTAL PRODUCTION-RELATED WASTE MANAGED
                    Non-production-related Waste Managed
POUNDS
7.732.267.995
1.983.001.794
2.879.971.103
804.043.747
7.256.791.037
608.002.430
4.904.042.338
26.168.120,444
25.065.757
PERCENT
29.5
7.6
11.0
3.1
27.7
2.3
18.7
100.0

                 Note: Data aie t'romTRl Fnrm R, Section S. as of April 2111)4.

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 What can I  expect in the future?
 EPA plans to modernize its TRI Program as an ongoing effort to provide the highest quality data to U.S.
 communities.TheTR1 Program will:
 • Continue  enhancements  to  TRI  Explorer that  allow  users to sort TRI  data  based  on user preferred
  methods;
 • Provide RY2003TRI data to the public earlier by releasing facility specific, form-by-form data through an
  electronic  facility data release (eFDR) in November, 2004; and
 • Pilot web-basedTRI-ME reporting software that may provide pre-populated reporting forms with prior
  year's data, electronic signature, and instant error notification and data quality alerts.
 EPA has also updated its reporting form to provide more contextual information for TRI data and resulting
 reports. The TRI program strives to continue to provide the public with important information about toxic-
 chemical releases and other waste management activities in our communities.


 Where can I  find more information?

 TRI Explorer:  It's On-line! It's Easy! It's Your Right to Know!
 TRI  Explorer provides  fast and easy  access  to the  TRI  data  and can answer your questions about a
 chemical, facility, geographic area, or industry sector. Find out what chemicals are released  to the air by
 facilities in  your state  in  2002.  what facilities  reported in your zip code or  what progress has been
 made  in  reducing TRI  chemicals since  I9S8. TRI  Explorer provides customized reports on these  and
 many  other  topics from the TRI data. Users of TRI data can also  customize  maps of states or coun-
 ties within a state to their  preference. Each report can be quickly and easily sorted by total  disposal or
 other  releases, by fugitive air  emissions, by surface  water discharges,  by disposal to RCRA  Subtitle C
 landfills, etc. Electronic state fact sheets  with  2002  data are also available for each state.  Visit  the TRI
 Explorer home page to begin creating your own report on TRI data at www.epa.gov/triexplorer.
       Customize reports.
          research data
        quickly and easily

    from your own computer:

www.epa.gov/triexplorer
                                      3 EPA TRI Explorer Chemical Report -
                                      File Edit View Favorites Tools  Help

                                      4-Bac*- -*  J j] $ $Searcf! J^ Favorites (jMedia
Address Q
                                                                    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency   —
                                      Chemical Report
                                                                                           .
            Geographic Location GD
            | All of United States
            Chemical Released J]
            | All Chemicals
            Industry QD	
            [ Ail industries
            Year of Data (JJ
            \2WJ2 \+]
                                                    Generate Report
Report colums to include ill

0 Total On-site Disposal or Other Releases
  Details
  0 On-Site Disposal to Class I Wells. RCRA
  Subtitle C Landfills, and Other On-Siie Landfills
  0 Other On-Site Disposal or Other Releases
0 Total Off-site Disposal or Other Releases
  Details
  0 Ofl-Srte Disposal to Underground Injection
  Wells, RCRA Subtitle C Landfills, and Other Landfills
  0 Other Off-site Disposal or Other Releases
0 Total On- and Off-Site Disposal or Other Releases

 Where can I find  contact information?
                                                                                                     -
 There are three other options tor finding more detailed information:
 •  You  can  find  out more  information about the TRI program by  contacting  the  toll-free Emergency
   Planning and Community Right-to-Know (EPCRA) Call Center at 1-800-424-9346. or
 •  You  can  seek  assistance in  accessing and using TRI data  by contacting the TRI User Support Service
   202-566-0250 or e-mailing your questions to tri.usftf epa.gov. or
 *  You can find vour state or regional TRI coordinator by visiting EPA'sTRI svcb Mtc ar www.epa.gov/tri.

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What are the limitations of the TRI data?
Users iif TRI data should be aware that TRI data reflect disposal or
other releases and other waste management activities of chemicals.
not whether for to what  degree) the  public has been exposed
to those chemicals. Both  the toxicity  of a chemical  and expo-
sure considerations should be taken into account when using the
data.

•  TRI  chemicals vary widely  in toxicity, or  their potential to
  produce toxic effects. Some  high-volume releases ot less toxic
  chemicals may appear to be a more serums problem than  lowcr-
  volume releases ot highly toxic chemicals, when just the opposite
  may be true.
•  The potential tor exposure may be  greater the longer the chemical
  remains unchanged in the environment. Sunlight, heat, or microorgan-
  isms may or may not decompose  the chemical. Smaller releases of a per-
  sistent, highly toxic chemical may create a more serious problem than larger
  releases of a chemical that is rapidly converted to a less toxic form.

For more detailed information on this subject refer to TlieToxics Release Inventory (I RI)
and factors ft' Consider \\1ien UsingTRI Data document at
www.epa.gov/tri/tridata/index.htm.


What should  I  know about the different types of disposal or other

releases?
The TRI Program collects data on a number ot different types of disposal or other releases, as well as on cer-
tain waste management and recycling practices. Disposal or other releases of chemicals into the environment
occur through a range of practices that may ultimately affect the potential for human exposure to the toxic
chemicals. Facility releases may include discharges to air. water, and land. Facilities limit contamination and
human exposure by disposing ot or otherwise releasing waste in certain ways. For example:

•  Disposal of harmful materials to Class  I Underground Injection wells located in isolated formations be-
  neath the lowermost  underground source of drinking water, which limits potential for contamination:
  and
•  Disposal to landfills that are designed with liners, covers, leak detection systems, and groundwater monitor-
  ing systems also limit the potential for human  exposure to  the contents ot the landfill.

Most disposal or other release practices are subject to a variety of regulatory requirements designed  to
limit environmental  harm. Please refer to the  Toxics  Release Inventory  (TRI) and factors  to Consider ll'hcu
(  'siti^ 1 RI Data (www.epa.gov/tri/tridata/index.htm) tor more information on the differences ot these
data elements.


What should  I  know about  persistent bioaccumulative toxic

(PBT) chemicals?
Starting in 20(i(), EPA established more stringent reporting  thresholds for persistent bioaccumulative toxic
(PBT) chemicals originally on. or added to, the TRI chemical list. PBT chemicals are ot particular concern
not only because they are toxic but also because they remain in the environment tor long periods of time, are
not readily destroyed, and build up or accumulate in body tissue.The TRI PBT chemicals include dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds, lead and lead compounds, mercury and mercury compounds, polycyclic aromatic
compounds (PACs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and certain pesticides, among other chemicals.

For more information about the Agency's multimedia strategy for priority PBT chemicals,  visit EPA's Office
of Prevention. Pesticides, and Toxic Substances web site at www.epa.gov/opptintr/pbt/pbtstrat.htrn.

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