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Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)
Public Data Release Report
EPA260-R-09-001
March 2009
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What is the Toxics Release Inventory?
The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) is a database
that contains detailed information on nearly
650 chemicals and chemical categories
that about 22,000 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 manufactur-
ing, metal and coal min-
ing, electric utilities,
commercial hazardous
waste treatment, and
other industrial sectors.
Figure 1: Information Collected Under TRI
WU^
The Emergency Plan-
ning and Commu-
nity Right to Know
Act (EPCRA) of 1986
was enacted to facilitate
emergency planning, to
minimize the effects of po-
tential toxic chemical acci
dents, and to provide the public
with information on releases of
toxic chemicals in their commu-
nities. The Pollution Prevention Act
(PPA) of 1990 mandates collection of data
on toxic chemicals that are treated on-site, recy-
cled, 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 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).
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 Environ-
mental Priorities, an element of the Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC), uses TRI data to iden-
tify facilities that may present pollution prevention opportunities. EPA also uses TRI data in the Risk
Screening Environmental Indicator (RSEI) tool, which compares toxic chemicals released to the environ-
ment from industrial sources. Using RSEI, you can examine rankings and trends, and set priorities for
further action. 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 ate the Toxics Release Inventory Data Used? at:
www.epa.gov/ tri/guide_docs/pdf/2003/2003_datausepaper.pd£
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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 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 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
microorganisms 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/triprogram/FactorsToConPDF.pdf.
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 certain
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 source of drinking water limits potential for contamination; and
• Disposal to landfills that are designed with liners, covers, leak-detection systems, and groundwater
monitoring systems also limits 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/triprograrn/FactorsToConPDF.pdfj 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 information about PBTs and the Agency's multimedia strategy for priority PBT chemicals, visit
EPA's Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) Chemical Program website at:
www. epa. gov/pbt/index .htm.
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What do TRI data show for 2007?
For 2007, 21,996 facilities, including federal facilities, reported to the
TRI Program. They reported 4.1 billion pounds of on-site and off-site
disposal or other releases of the almost 650 toxic chemicals, as shown in
Table 1. Almost 87% of the total was disposed of or otherwise released on-
site; 13% was sent off-site for disposal. Metal mining facilities reported 28%
and electric utilities reported 25% of the total in 2007, as shown in Figure 2.
Persistent bioaccumulative toxic (PBT) chemicals accounted for 507 million pounds or
12% of reported on- and off-site disposal or other releases in 2007. Of that total, lead and lead
compounds accounted for 98% or 496 million pounds of PBT's. Total disposal or other releases
for mercury and mercury compounds were 6.9 million pounds and, for dioxin and dioxin-like
compounds, they were 144,729 grams (319 pounds).
There were 179 known or suspected carcinogens on the TRI list in 2007. They accounted for
835 million pounds or 20% of reported on- and off-site disposal or other releases in 2007. Of
that total for carcinogens, lead and lead compounds accounted for 59% and arsenic and arsenic
compounds for 12%. Three-quarters (625 million pounds or 75%) were disposed of or otherwise
released to land on-site. Styrene air emissions were 41% of the total 91 million pounds of air
emissions of carcinogens.
All federal facilities are required to report to the TRI Program. For 2007, a total of 364 federal
facilities submitted 1,135 forms and reported 95 million pounds of total on- and off-site disposal
or other releases.
How did the TRI data change over time?
From 2006 to 2007, total disposal or other releases on- and off-site decreased by 223 million
pounds or 5%. On-site disposal or other releases decreased by 6%; however, off-site disposal or
other releases increased by 2%.
From 2006 to 2007, total production-related waste managed, which reflects waste management
practices rather than ultimate disposition of a chemical, decreased by 1%. From 2006 to 2007, the
quantity of production-related waste recycled decreased by 1% (70 million pounds), the quantity
used for energy recovery decreased by 12% (395 million pounds) and the quantity disposed of
or otherwise released decreased 5% (203 million pounds), while the quantity treated increased
by 4% (335 million pounds).
Disposal or other releases of PBT chemicals increased by 1% from 2006 to 2007. However, while
air releases of mercury and mercury compounds decreased by 3%, total disposal or other releases
of mercury and its compounds increased by 38% from 2006 to 2007. Total disposal or other re-
leases of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds increased by 11%.
Disposal or other releases of carcinogens decreased by 4% (37 million pounds)
from 2006 to 2007, including a decrease of 14% (16 million pounds) in arsenic
and arsenic compounds. Air releases of carcinogens decreased by 14% (15 mil-
lion pounds), including a decrease of 21% (10 million pounds) in air releases
of styrene.
Federal facilities showed an overall decrease in disposal or other releases of 11
million pounds or 11% from 2006 to 2007.Total production-related waste man-
aged at federal facilities increased by 2 million pounds or 1%.
Overall, from 2001 to 2007, total production-related waste managed decreased by
11%, as shown in Figure 4.
Manufacturing facilities have been required to report to the TRI Program since 1987.
From 1988 to 2007, manufacturing facilities decreased their on- and off-site disposal or
other releases by 61% based on chemicals that have been consistently reported since
1988.
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Toxics Release Inventory, 2007
Figure 2:2007 TRI Total Disposal or Other Releases
4.1 billion pounds
21,996
TRI facilities
reported 4.1 billion
pounds of on- and
off-site disposal
or other releases
All Others 10%
Food 4%
Paper 5%
Hazardous Waste 5%
Chemicals 12%
Primary Metals 12%
Metal Mining 28%
Electric Utilities 25%
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 March 2009.
TABLE 1: TRI ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES, 2007
ON-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
POUNDS
PERCE
.
Air
•_
Water
Underground Injection
Land
TOTAL ON-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
1,311,649,055
_^^H
232,033,196
209,074,579
1,785,238,608
3,537,995,439
32.1
•
5.7
5.1
43.7
^H
86.6
OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
Underground Injection
Lan
POTWs and Wastewater Treatment
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H
Other
16,256,635
4,625,379
135,541,303
0.4
0.1
3.3
TOTAL OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
548,237,535
13.4
TOTAL ON- AND OFF-SITE DISPOSAL OR OTHER RELEASES
4,086,232,974
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 March 2009.
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These 21.996 facilities reported 24 billion pounds of TRI chemicals in total production-related
waste managed during 2007. as shown in Figure 3: Waste Management Hierarchy. Source
Reduction is the preferred approach to managing waste, followed by recycling. Waste that cannot
be prevented or recycled can be used for energy recovery or treated.
Figure 3: Total Production-Related Waste Managed, by Waste Management Hierarchy, 2007
Source Reduction
Recycling
8.90 billion pounds (36.8Z)
Energy Recovery
2.85 billion pounds (11.88
Treatment
8.18 billion pounds (33.8Z)
Disposal or
Other Releases
4.26 billion
pounds (17.68
Data are from TRI Form R, Section 8, as of March 2009. Quantity disposed of or otherwise
released on- and off-site is different from total on- and off-site disposal or other releases
because the amounts in Table 1 do not include amounts sent off-site to other TRI facilities
that report that amount disposed of or otherwise released on-site. Also, the amounts in Table
1 may include amounts reported as non-production-related waste managed, which are not
included in this Table. The numbers may also be different due to the differences in reporting
requirements for Section 5 and 6 and Section 8.
What do TRI data show over a longer period of time?
Figure k-. Production-Related Waste Managed, 2001-2007
30
30,000
2002
] Recycled On- and Off-site
] Energy Recovery On- and Off-site
2003
2004
2005
2006
I Treated On- and Off-site
2007
-Number of Facilities
I Disposed of or Otherwise Released On- and Off-site
Note:Data are from TRI Form, Section 8, for year indicated. Data as of March 2009. This figure covers those years for which comparable data on all
currently listed TRI chemicals, including PBTs, are available. Tables encompassing a wider range of years include only those chemicals for which data
are comparable (i.e., the chemical must have been consistently reported for the entire time covered) and can be generated using TRI Explorer.
From 2001-2007. total production-related waste managed
decreased by 11% and the number of facilities reporting decreased by 15%.
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What other information is available on the Public Data Release?
EPA has also developed an electronic report (eReport) for the 2007 Public Data Release. This report offers
detailed information on the 2007 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 2007 data; and
• additional tables and charts which provide a look at the top chemicals, industries, and facilities for 2007.
To access this report and other information on the TRI the TRI Program, please visit our Web site at:
•www.epa.gov/tri.
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. It also provides further details and breakdown on the type of
disposal or other releases reported. Find out what chemicals were released to the air by facilities in your state
in 2007, 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 using 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 2007 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 da1
quickly and easily
from your own computer:
www.epa.gov/triexplorer
Chemical Report
Data SettE
22, 2003 and released to ffie public March 2009)
Report columsto include [£
S\ Total On-site Disposal or Other Releases
Details
On-Site Disposal to Class I Wells, RCRA
Subtitle C Landfills, and Other On-Site Landfills
D Other On-Site Disposal or Other Releases
H Total Off-site Disposal or Other Releases
Off-:
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's TRI web site at:
www.epa.gov/tri.
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