News Releases from Region 06
EPA Announces 2014 Toxics Release Inventory Report
DALLAS - (Feb. 1, 2016) In 2014, 93 percent of toxic waste from industrial facilities within U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6-Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas-was not released into the environment. Instead, the waste was managed through practices such as recycling, energy recovery, and waste treatment. This information is captured in EPA's annual Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) report, which summarizes data about the toxic chemicals facilities use and release, and how they prevent pollution.
"The Toxic Release Inventory report helps communities understand what's being released in their neighborhoods," said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. "For the past 30 years, the TRI has given the public remarkable access to information that's important for citizens, industries, and governments."
The latest TRI analysis also shows the total amount of toxic waste (including air, water, and land releases) from industrial production activities in Region 6 decreased by 4 percent from 2013 to 2014. The amount of waste managed through energy recovery increased by almost 6 percent.
Releases of toxics into the air decreased by about 4 percent. Notably, releases of lead decreased by more than 25 percent. Releases of mercury and mercury compounds decreased a little more than 0.5 percent. The most commonly emitted chemicals included methanol, ammonia, ethylene, sulfuric acid, and hydrogen sulfide.
Industry sectors such as manufacturing, electric utilities, commercial hazardous waste treatment and disposal, and metal mining submit annual TRI data to EPA, states, and tribes. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), facilities must report their toxic chemical releases for the prior year to EPA by July 1 of each year. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.
This year, the TRI report is available on its own website, giving users easier access to key information, including analyses and interactive maps showing data at a state, county, city, and zip code level. Other new features of this year's analysis include integrated demographic information, profiles of federal facilities and the automotive manufacturing sector, and a discussion forum where users can share feedback about the report.
To access the 2014 TRI National Analysis, including local data and analyses, visit www.epa.gov/trinationalanalysis.
Information on facility efforts to reduce toxic chemical releases is available at www.epa.gov/tri/p2.
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