Abstract |
Over 2,300 unique facilities have reported toxic chemical release information to the Illinois EPA since the reporting program mandated by federal law began in 1987. Not including 1987, an average of around 1,300 facilities have reported each year, with the actual number ranging between 1,258 and 1,477. Facilities with persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals and chemical categories were required to report for the first time this year. A total of 163.3 thousand pounds of PBTs were reported for calendar year 2000. For calendar year 2000, 1,321 facilities submitted 4,268 individual toxic chemical release reports showing a total of 174.3 million pounds of releases and transfers. Zinc compounds had the highest reported releases and transfers, at 41.7 million pounds. The combined total of fugitive and stack air emissions topped all other environmental areas at 63.6 million pounds. Facilities in Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code 4911 (Electric Services - coal and/or oil fired power plants) exceeded all other industrial categories with reported releases and transfers of 26.8 million pounds. |