The Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program has given the public unprecedented direct access to toxic chemical release and other waste management data at the local, state, regional, and national level. Responsible use of this information can enable the public to identify potential concerns, gain a better understanding of potential risks, and work with industry and government to reduce toxic chemical releases and the risk associated with them. When combined with hazard and exposure data, as done with the Risk Screening Environmental Indicators, this information can allow informed environmental priority setting at the local level. The public as well as federal, state, and local governments can use the data to compare facilities or geographic areas, to identify hot spots, to evaluate existing environmental programs, to more effectively set regulatory priorities, and to track pollution control and waste reduction progress. TRI data, in conjunction with demographic data, can help government agencies and the public identify potential environmental justice concerns. Industry can use the data to obtain an overview of the release and management of toxic chemicals, to identify and reduce costs associated with toxic chemicals in waste, to identify promising areas of pollution prevention, to establish reduction targets, and to measure and document progress toward reduction goals. Public availability of the data has prompted many facilities to work with communities to develop effective strategies for reducing environmental and human health risks posed by toxic chemical releases.