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Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)
Public Data Release Report
EPA 260-R-05-001
May 2005
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Figure 1: Information Collected Under TRI
%
What is the Toxics Release Inventory?
The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) is a database
containing 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.
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 treated on-site, recycled, and combusted
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).
'Publidy-OwnedTreatmunt 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 identify facilities
that may present pollution prevention opportunities. EPA also uses TRI data in the Risk Screening Environ-
mental Indicators (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 dis-
posal or other releases and other waste management activities for
chemicals, not whether (or to what degree) the public has been
exposed to them. Both the toxicity of a chemical and exposure
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 re-
leases 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 microorgan-
isms may or may not decompose the chemical. Smaller releases of a per-
sistent, highly toxic chemical may create more serious problems than larger
releases of chemicals that are rapidly converted to less toxic forms.
For more detailed information on this subject refer to theToxics 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
beneath the lowermost underground sources of drinking water, which limits potential for contamination;
and
• Disposal to landfills that are designed with liners, covers, leak-detection systems, and groundwater
monitoring 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) 2003?
For RY 2003, 23,811 facilities, including federal facilities,
reported to EPA's TRI Program. They reported 4.44 billion
pounds of on-site and off-site disposal or other releases of
the almost 650 toxic chemicals, as shown in Table 1. Over 88
percent of the total was disposed of or otherwise released on-site;
almost 12 percent was sent off-site for disposal or other releases, as
shown in Figure 2.
Persistant bioaccumulative toxic (PBT) chemicals accounted for 464.8 million pounds
or 10% of reported on- and off-site disposal or other releases in RY 2003. Of that total,
lead and lead compounds accounted for 93% or 432.0 million pounds. Total disposal
or other releases for mercury and mercury compounds were 7.4 million pounds and,
for dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, they were 269,050 grams. PCBs accounted
for 5% or 22 million pounds of the total disposal or other releases of PBT chemicals
in 2003.
All federal facilities, whether operated by federal agencies or contractors (e.g. military
bases), are directed to report to EPA'sTRI Program. For RY 2003, a total of 295 fed-
eral facilities submitted 977 forms and reported 78.1 million pounds of total on-site
and off-site disposal or other releases.
How did the TRI data change over time?
From RY 2002 to RY 2003, total disposal or other releases on- and off-site decreased
by 305.9 million pounds or 6%. On-site disposal or other releases decreased by 7%,
while off-site disposal or other releases increased by less than 1%. Total production-
related waste managed decreased by 1.5% over the same period. While the total num-
ber of facilities reporting decreased by 4% (888 facilities) from 2002, there was also a
3% decrease in the average quantity disposed or otherwise released on- and off-site
per facility.
The metal mining and primary metals sectors accounted for 29% of total disposal or
other releases in 2003. If combined reporting by these two sectors is excluded, total
disposal or other releases and total production-related waste managed decreased by less
than 1% nationally.
Disposal or other releases of PBT chemicals increased by 11% in 2003. Disposal or
other releases for lead and lead compounds increased 7% from 2002 to 2003. Without
metal mining, disposal or other releases of lead and lead compounds decreased by 3%.
Total disposal or other releases of mercury and mercury compounds increased
by 41% (13% after accounting for a facility data error) from 2002 to 2003,
although air emissions of mercury and its compounds decreased by 1%. Total
disposal or other releases of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds increased
by 129,433 grams from 2002 to 2003. Excluding one facility that reported
an increase of 134,269 grams, total disposal or other releases of dioxin and
dioxin-like compounds decreased by 4%. Disposal or other releases of PCBs
increased by 20.4 million pounds from 2002 to 2003.
Federal facilities showed an overall decrease in disposal or other releases of 7.4 million
pounds or 9% from 2002 to 2003. Total production-related waste managed at federal
facilities decreased by 5.5 million pounds or 3%.
Starting in 1998, additional industries were required to report, including electric utili-
ties, 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 2003, all TRI facilities, including those from the sectors added
in 1998, have reported a 42% reduction in disposal or other releases, as shown in
Figure 3.
Manufacturing facilities have been required to report to EPA's TRI Program
since 1987. From 1988 to 2003, manufacturing facilities decreased their on-
and off-site disposal or other releases by 59%, as shown in Figure 4.
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Toxics Release Inventory, 2003
Figure 2: Distribution of TRI Disposal or Other Releases, 2003
23,811
TRI facilities
reported 4.44 billion
pounds of on-and
off-site disposal
or other releases
for RY 2003
Off-site Disposal to
Underground Injection
Wells. RCRA Subtitle C Landfills.
andOtherLandfills*, andOther Landfills
OFF-SITE
On-site Disposal to
Class I Underground Injection Wells,
RCRA Subtitle C Landfills,
14X
ON-SITE
Other Off-site Disposal
or Other Releases
kl
Other On-site Disposal
or Other Releases
Data are fromTRI 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 March, 2005.
What do TRI data show over a
longer period of time?
Figure 3: Total On- and Off-site Disposal or Other Releases, 1998-2003
on- and off-site
disposal or other
releases from all facilities
decreased by 42%
from 1998-2003.
Metal Mining and Primary Metals
Electric Utilities
Figure k Total On- and Off-site Disposal or Other Releases, 1988-2003
Data are fromTRI Form R, Sections 5 (all parts) and 6.1 (metals and metal compounds
only) and 6.2 (Disposal codes only and metals and metal compounds reported un-
der codes M40 and M61). Does not include PBT chemicals, vanadium and vanadium
compounds. Does not include transfers to disposal or other releases sent to other TRI
facilities that reported the amounts as on-site disposal or other releases. Data shown
as of March 2005. Metal mining and primary metal operations are shown together on
the above chart because several facilities have combined operations.
Total
on-and off-site
disposal or other releases
of the original chemicals
from the original
types of manufacturing
ities decreased by 59%
from 1988-2003.
\
Data are fromTRI 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 delisted chemicals, chemicals added in 1990,1994 and 1995, aluminum oxide, ammonia,
hydrochloric acid, PBT chemicals, sulfuric acid, vanadium and vanadium compounds. For the years
1998 and after, does not include industries, other than manufacturing industries, that are required to
report for 1998 and later years only. Data shown as of March 2005.
Note: The 2003 Public Data Release (PDR) uses the primary SIC code reported by the facility for all analysis purposes for all reporting years. As a result, previous years' analyses may
not be directly compared to data as currently displayed here and in TRI Explorer. Please see the Summary of Key Findings document for additional information (www.epa.gov/tri).
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TABLE 1: TRION-SITE AND OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES, 2003
ON-SITE DISPOSAL TO CLASS I UNDERGROUND INJECTION WELLS. RCRA SUDTITLE C LANDFILLS. AND OTHER LANDFII
Class I Wells
RCRA Subtitle C Landfills
Other 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
RCRA Subtitle C Surface Impoundments
Other Surface Impoundments
Other Land Disposal
TOTAL ON-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
POUNDS
639,080,339
200,402,228
170,794,270
267,883,840
281,608,191
205,095,324
,381,295,231
222,628,110
21,968,824
15,675,243
5,542,266
817,040,382
612,362,811
3,920,688,530
OFF-SITE DISPOSAL TO CLASS I UNDERGROUND INJECTION WELLS, RCRA SUDTITLE C LANDFILLS, AND OTHER LANDFILLS
Class I Wells
RCRA Subtitle C Landfills
Other Landfills
OTHER OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
Storage Only
Solidification/Stabilization (Metals and Metal Compounds Only)
Wastewater Treatment (Excluding POTWs) (Metals and Metal Compounds Only)
Transfers to POTWs (Metals and Metal Category Compounds Only)
Class II-V Wells
RCRA Subtitle C Surface Impoundm
Other Surface Impoundments
Land Treatment
Other Land Disposal
Other Off-site Management
Transfers to Waste Droker for Disposal
Unknown
TOTAL OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
331,408,856
10,306,569
50,298,924
270,803,363
186,622.431
5,674,497
83,170,051
2,218,133
1,888,476
260,492
0,843
4,849,779
9,288,780
31,789,491
15,963,360
26,133,138
5,085,389
518,031,287
TOTAL ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
4,438,719,817
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) as of March 2005. Off-site disposal or other releases transferred to other TRI facilities reporting such transfers as on-site disposal
or other releases are not included.
These 23,811 facilities reported 25.8 billion pounds ofTRI chemicals in waste managed during 2003. Over
36% was recycled, 33% was treated, 18% was disposed of or otherwise released on- and off-site, and 13%
was used for energy recovery, as shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2: QUANTITIES OF TRI CHEMICALS IN WASTE BY WASTE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY, 2003
WASTE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY
QUANTITY RECYCLED
Quantity Recycled On-site
Quantity Recycled Off-site
QUANTITY USED FOR ENERGY RECOVERY
Quantity Used for Energy Recovery On-site
Quantity Used for Energy
QUANTITY TREATED
Quantity Treated On-site
Quantity Treated Off-site
TOTAL QUANTITY DISPOSED OF OR OTHERWISE RELEASED
TOTAL PRODUCTION-RELATED WASTE MANAGED
Non-production-related Waste Managed
POUNDS PERCENT
9,313,378,392 36.1
,284,759 28.8
1,867,093,633 7.2
3,439,714,945 13.3
2,734,292,811 10.6
15,422.134 2.7
8,529,377,256 33.0
8,003,315,384 31.0
526,061,872 2.0
4,541,862,224 17.6
100.0
25,824,332,817
1,506,478
Note: Data are from TRI Form R, Section 8, as of March 2005.
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What other information is available on the Public Data Release?
EPA has also developed an electronic report (eReport) for the 2003 Public Data Release. This report offers
detailed information on the 2003 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 2003 data;
• a TRI Data in Context section which provides trend information and additional ways to view and interpret
TRI data; and
• additional tables and charts which provide a look at the top chemicals, industries, and facilities for 2003.
To access this report and other information on the TRI Program, please visit our Web site at:
www. epa. gov/tr i.
How can I access TRI data?
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 2003, 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 of TRI 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 fact sheets with 2003 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
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Details
H On-Site Disposal to Class I Wells, RCRA
Subtitle C Landfills, and Other On-Site Landfills
H Other On-Site Disposal or Other Releases
H Total Off-site Disposal or Other Releases
Details
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Wells, RCRA Subtitle C Landfills, and Other Landfills
H Other Off-site Disposal or Other Releases
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EPA Home I Privacy and Security Notice I Contact Us
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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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