EPA Makes Preliminary Toxics Release Data Available

EPA has published preliminary data on the release of toxic chemicals occurring in the United States between Jan.1 and Dec. 31, 2008, and the agency is taking the unprecedented step of releasing the raw data prior to the agency completing its analysis.

Sandy Smith

Sept. 3, 2009

“EPA’s job is to ensure an open and transparent flow of information between Americans and their government, and today’s unprecedented step represents the agency’s commitment to doing just that,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “While we are still analyzing this information, we hope this raw data will be reviewed and used responsibly by stakeholders and the public to help them make informed decisions.”

The Toxics Release Inventory is a database that contains detailed information on nearly 650 chemicals and chemical categories that more than 23,000 industrial and other facilities manage through disposal or other releases, recycling, energy recovery, or treatment. The data are collected from industries including manufacturing, metal and coal mining, electric utilities, commercial hazardous waste treatment, and other industrial sectors. Facilities must report their data by July 1 of each year.

More information on the data, visit http://www.epa.gov/tri.