What is the U.S. EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Program?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes data each year on toxic releases. Toxic releases are basically harmful and / or likely-harmful chemicals that are released into air, ground, stream or otherwise put out into the environment.
EPA's toxic release data may not be perfect, but it provides an important benchmark, critical in the drive towards regulated material-disclosure. The information made available includes environmental release and transfer data on nearly 650 chemicals and chemical categories reported to EPA by more than 21,000 industrial and other facilities.
Examples of industries that report to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) include:
- general manufacturing
- metal mining
- electric utilities
- commercial hazardous waste treatment facilities
About Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)
The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program compiles toxic release inventory data that's reported for each year. This includes data on toxic chemical releases and waste management activities -- reported annually by industries and federal facilities. EPA makes this data available through downloadable files and several data access tools.
The goal of the Toxics Release Inventory program is to provide communities with information. The information -- hopefully -- empowers people who have an interest in toxic waste streams -- including toxic emissions -- to make intelligent choices and be mindful in general of their environment. "Know your situation!" as coaches tell baseball players on the field: "always know the situation!"
EPA hopes to:
- empower individuals by providing information about toxic chemical releases and waste management activities
- support informed decision making at all levels by industry, government, non-governmental organizations, and the public
Data on Toxics Release Inventory is available the same month it is collected
Deadline for reporting data is July 1st of each year. Data reported is for the preceding year. So, this past July 1st was the deadline for 2009 data. Smaller companies can use EPA's reporting software: http://www.epa.gov/tri/report/software/index.htm
Mid-to-large-sized companies use a solution like Actio Regulator, a software module. The software, according to Control Engineering Magazine's write-up, "organizes all ingredient data -- auto-updated via ERP feed -- and provides analysis, reports and visibility into precise ingredient amounts in standardized measurements that are compared against regulation thresholds for HAPs, VOCs, SVHCs, etc."
Jackson says
“It is vital that every community has access to information that impacts their health and environment,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “The data we’re releasing provides critical insights about pollution and polluters in the places where people live, work, play and learn. Making that knowledge available is the first step in empowering communities to protect the environment in their areas.
Put it to work
The data-set allows communities to find out about releases and transfers of chemicals at the local level. Questions on what it means for members of a community are answered in this fact sheet: http://www.epa.gov/tri/triprogram/tri_program_fact_sheet.htm
EPA says it will continue to process paper submissions, late submissions, and to resolve issues with electronic submissions, until all the data is in one place. For more, try http://www.epa.gov/tri and http://supply-chain-data-mgmt.blogspot.com/2010/08/chemical-reporting-breaking-news.html
One source says: "Each year, companies across a wide range of industries (including chemical, mining, paper, oil and gas industries) that produce more than 25,000 pounds or handle more than 10,000 pounds of a listed toxic chemical must report it to the TRI. The TRI threshold was initially set at 75,000 pounds annually. If the company treats, recycles, disposes, or releases more than 500 pounds of that chemical into the environment (as opposed to just handling it), then they must provide a detailed inventory of that chemical's inventory." ( - Wikipedia)
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