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Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)
Public Data Release Report
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EPA 260-R-06-001
April 2006
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What is the Toxics Release Inventory?
Figure 1: Information Collected Under TRI
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The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) is a database
that contains detailed information on nearly
650 chemicals and chemical categories
that over 23,000 industrial and other
facilities manage through disposal
or other releases, recycling, en-
ergy recovery or treatment
(see Figure l).The data are
collected from industries
including manufacturing,
metal and coal mining,
electric utilities, com-
mercial hazardous waste
treatment, and other
industrial sectors.
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Section 313 of the
Emergency Planning
and Community Right
to Know Act (EPCRA)
of 1986 was enacted to
facilitate emergency plan-
ning, to minimize the effects
of potential toxic chemical ac-
cidents, and to provide the pub-
lic with information on releases of
toxic chemicals in their communi-
ties. The Pollution Prevention Act (PPA)
of 1990 mandates collection of data on toxic
chemicals 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 an-
nually 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).
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 identify facilities
that may present pollution prevention opportunities. EPA also uses TRI data in the Risk Screening Environ-
mental Indicator (RSEI) tool, which provides users with additional understanding of chronic human health
and potential exposures associated with TRI chemicals.You can search for other EPA programs and tools that
utilize TRI data by visiting EPA's Web Site at www.epa.gov or from EPA's publication How are the Toxics
Release Inventory Data Used? at www.epa.gov/tri/guide_docs/2003_datausepaper.pdf.
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What are the limitations of the TRI data?
Users of TRI data should be aware that TRI data reflect disposal
or other releases and other waste management of chemicals, not
whether (or to what degree) the public has been exposed to
them. Both the toxicity of a chemical and exposure consider-
ations 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 of less toxic
chemicals may appear to be more serious than lower-volume
releases of highly toxic chemicals, when just the opposite may be
true.
• The potential for exposure may be greater the longer the chemical
remains unchanged in the environment. Sunlight, heat, or microor-
ganisms may or may not decompose the chemical. Smaller releases of a
persistent, 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 the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)
and Factors to Consider When Using TRI Data document at www.epa.gov/tri/tridata
What should I know about the different types of disposal or
other releases?
The TRI Program collects data on a number of 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 of 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 of 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 When Using TRI
Data (www.epa.gov/tri/tridata) for more information on the differences of these data elements.
What should I know about persistent bioaccumulative toxic
(PBT) chemicals?
Starting in 2000, EPA established more stringent reporting thresholds for persistent bioaccumulative toxic
(PBT) chemicals originally on, or added to, the TRI chemical list. PBT chemicals are of particular concern
not only because they are toxic but also because they remain in the environment for 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 detailed 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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What do TRI data show for
reporting year (RY) 2004?
For RY 2004, 23,675 facilities, including federal facilities,
reported to EPA's TRI Program. They reported 4.24 billion
pounds of on-site and off-site disposal or other releases of the
almost 650 toxic chemicals, as shown in Table 1. Over 87% of
the total was disposed of or otherwise released on-site; almost 13%
was sent off-site for disposal or other releases. Metal mining facilities
reported over 25% and electric utilities reported almost 25% of the total in
2004, as shown in Figure 2.
Persistent bioaccumulative toxic (PBT) chemicals accounted for 455.0 million pounds
or 11% of reported on- and off-site disposal or other releases in 2004. Of that total,
lead and lead compounds accounted for 98% or 445.0 million pounds.Total disposal
or other releases for mercury and mercury compounds were 4.8 million pounds and,
for dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, they were 111,472 grams (246 pounds).
All federal facilities, whether operated by federal agencies or contractors (e.g. some
military bases), are required to report to EPA'sTRI Program. For RY 2004, a total of
313 federal facilities submitted 1,007 forms and reported 90.4 million pounds of total
on- and off-site disposal or other releases and 218.3 million pounds of production-
related waste managed.
How did the TRI data change over time?
From 2003 to 2004, total disposal or other releases on- and off-site decreased by 171.3
million pounds or 4%. On-site disposal or other releases decreased by 5%, while off-
site disposal or other releases increased by 5%. Total production-related waste managed
increased by 4% over that same time period. Both recycling and treatment increased,
while energy recovery and the quantity disposed of or otherwise released decreased
from 2003 to 2004.
Disposal or other releases of PBT chemicals decreased by 1% in 2004. However,
disposal or other releases for lead and lead compounds increased 4% from 2003 to
2004. Without metal mining, disposal or other releases of lead and lead compounds
decreased by 11%. Total disposal or other releases of mercury and mercury compounds
decreased by 16% from 2003 to 2004, although air emissions of mercury and its com-
pounds increased by 2%. Total disposal or other releases of dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds decreased by 58% from 2003 to 2004. One facility reported a
decrease of 137,087 grams (302 pounds) from 2003 to 2004.
Federal facilities showed an overall increase in disposal or other releases of
12.7 million pounds or 16% from 2003 to 2004. Total production-related
waste managed at federal facilities increased by 19.7 million pounds or 10%.
Starting in 1998, additional industries were required to report, including electric
utilities, metal and coal mines, commercial hazardous waste treatment facilities and
solvent recovery facilities, chemical wholesale distributors and petroleum terminals
and bulk stations. From 1998 to 2004, all TRI facilities, including those from the sec-
tors added in 1998, have reported a 10% reduction in total production-related waste
managed, including a 45% reduction in the quantity disposed of or otherwise released,
as shown in Figure 3.
Manufacturing facilities have been required to report to EPA's TRI Program since
1987. From 1988 to 2004, manufacturing facilities decreased their on- and off-
site disposal or other releases by 57%.
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Toxics Release Inventory, 2004
Figure 2:2004 TRI Total Disposal or Other Releases
k.lk billion pounds
23,675
TRI facilities
reported 4.24 billion
pounds of on-and
off-site disposal
or other releases
for RY 2004
All Others 11.3%
Food 3.9%.
Hazardous Waste/
Solvent Recovery 4.6%
Paper 5.4%
Primary Mela Is 11.6%
Metal Mining 25.3%
Electric Utilities 24.9%
Chemicals 13.1%
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 2006.
What do TRI data show over a longer period of time?
Figure 3: Total Production-related Waste Managed, 1998-2004
40.000
35,000
30.000
25.000
20.000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
25.000
20,000
15.000
10,000
5,000
1998
1999
2001
2002
2003
2004
] Disposed of or Otherwise Released On- and Off-site
] Treated On- and Off-site
- Number of Facilities
] Energy Recovery On- and Off-site
| Recycled On- and Off-site
Note: Data are fromTRI Form, Section 8, for year indicated. Does not include delisted chemicals, chemicals added in 1990,1994 and 1995,
aluminum oxide, ammonia, hydrochloric acid, PBT chemicals, sulfunc acid, vanadium and vanadium compounds.Data as of April 2006.
From 1998-2004, total production-related
waste managed decreased by M and number of facilities
reporting decreased by 131
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TABLE 1: TRION-SITE AND OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES, 2004
ON-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
POUNDS
PERCENT
Air
•
Water
Underground Injection
Land
TOTAL ON-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
1,548,867,382
241,075,887
237,966,075
1,680,179,382
3,708,088,727
OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
Underground Injection
Land
POTWs and Wastewater Treatment
Other
12,145,713
496,555,111
7,790,919
19,797,536
TOTAL OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
536,289,279
0.3
0.2
0.5
12.6
TOTAL ON- AND OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
4,244,378,005
100.0
Note: Data are from TRI Form, Sections 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).Does not include transfers to disposal or other releases sent to otherTRI facilities that reported the amounts as on-site disposal
or other releases. Data as of April 2006.
These 23,675 facilities reported 26.1 billion pounds of TRI chemicals in waste managed
during 2004. Over 36°/ was recycled, 34°/ was treated, 16°/ was disposed of or otherwise
released on- and off-site, and Ml was used for energy recovery, as shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2: QUANTITIES OF TRI CHEMICALS IN WASTE BY WASTE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY, 2004
WASTE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY
Quantity Recycled On- and Off-site
Quantity Treated On- and Off-site
Quantity Disposed of or Otherwise Released On- and Off-site
Quantity Used for Energy Recovery On- and Off-site
TOTAL PRODUCTION-RELATED WASTE MANAGED
POUNDS
9,526,403,262
9,002,539,771
4,335,768,911
Non-production-related Waste Managed
3,256,798,226
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26,121,510,170
21,520,859
PERCENT
36.5
34.5
16.6
12.5
^^^^^H
100.0
Note: Data are from TRI Form R, Section 8, as of April 2006.The quantity disposed of or otherwise released on- and off-site differs slightly from total on- and off-site
disposal or other releases due to the differences in reporting requirements for Section 5 and 6 and Section 8.
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What other information is available on the Public Data Release?
EPA has also developed an electronic report (eReport) for the 2004 Public Data Release. This report offers
detailed information on the 2004 Public Data release and is available on the TRI Web site. The eReport
includes:
• a summary of key findings which provides a detailed look at the 2004 data; and
• additional tables and charts which provide a look at the top chemicals, industries, and facilities for 2004.
To access this report and other information on the TRI the TRI Program, please visit our Web site at
www. epa. gov/tr i.
How can I access TRI data?
TRI Explorer: Its On-line! Its Easy! Its Your Right to Know!
TRI Explorer provides fast and easy access to the TRI data and can answer your questions about a chemi-
cal, facility, geographic area, or industry sector. It also provides further details and breakdown on the type of
disposal or other releases reported. Find out what chemicals are released to the air by facilities in your state in
2004, what facilities reported in your zip code, or what progress has been made in reducing TRI chemicals
since 1988. TRI Explorer provides customized reports on these and many other topics from the TRI data.
Users ofTRI data can also customize maps of states or counties within a state to their preferences. 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 2004 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/tr iexplorer.
Customize reports
research data
quickly and easily
from your own computer:
www.epa.gov/triexplorer
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Where can I find contact information?
There are three other options for 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.us@epa.gov, or
• You can find your state or regional TRI coordinator by visiting EPA'sTRI web site at www.epa.gov/tri.
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