Toxic Releases Decrease NationwideThe USEPA released in early December the 2008 Toxics Release
Inventory (TRI) report which provides information on toxic chemicals
used and released by utilities, refineries, chemical manufacturers,
paper companies, and many other facilities across the nation to all
media whether it is air, water or solid waste. The TRI is compiled from
data submitted to EPA and the States by industry. The TRI provides communities with valuable knowledge and encourages facilities to reduce their releases of toxic chemicals into the environment through process design, source reduction, or other pollution prevention measures. The current data include information on releases and other wastes from more than 650 chemicals and chemical compounds that companies are required to report under EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory Program. The data include chemicals that were released at the company’s facility and those transported to disposal facilities off site. The lead and lead compound data for on and off-site releases show an increase from 5.7 million pounds in 2007 to 6.6 million pounds in 2008. Since 2002 there has been a decrease of 1.6 million pounds from 8.2 million pounds to 6.6 million pounds in 2008. The mercury and mercury compound data show an increase from 45.3 thousand pounds in 2007 to 63.1 thousand pounds in 2008. In 2002 mercury and mercury compound releases were 61.6 thousand pounds. It is important to note that these chemical emissions are reported to EPA under the TRI and generally do not reflect illegal discharges of pollutants to the environment. Also, for the first time, the EPA released this data in the same year it was reported (company reports were submitted in July 2009 for calendar year 2008). TRI information is easily accessible online to the news media and the public at www.epa.gov/triexplorer. For more detailed information on a specific facility, go to: www.epa.gov/enviro/html/tris/tris_query.html 2009. Copyright Environmental News Network To subscribe or visit go to: http://www.enn.com |