Abstract |
The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) is a database that contains detailed information on disposal or other releases of over 650 chemicals from the thousands of U.S. facilities that report to TRI (see Figure 1). This year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) marks 25 years since the passage of the statute that created TRI in 1986, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). EPCRA plays a significant role in protecting human health and the environment by providing communities and emergency planners with valuable information on toxic chemicals in their areas. TRI contributes to EPAs community right-to-know effort by providing information on how facilities manage chemicals through recycling, energy recovery, treatment, and disposal or other releases. Facilities reporting to TRI are typically larger facilities involved in manufacturing, metal mining, electric power generation, and hazardous waste treatment. Federal facilities are also required by Executive Order to report to TRI. The 2010 TRI National Analysis provides the public with valuable information on how toxic chemicals were managed, where toxic chemicals ended up, and how 2010 compares to previous years. |