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EPA releases 2006 American Samoa Toxics Release Inventory data

Release Date: 02/21/2008
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, higuchi.dean@epa.gov

American Samoa reports the least amount of toxic releases of any state or territory in the nation

(02/21/08) HONOLULU – A facility in American Samoa reported a total of five pounds of toxic chemicals released into the air in 2006, according to new data released today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The data comes from the EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory, an annual measure of toxic chemical releases and waste generated by facilities in the United States. Total releases include toxic chemicals discharged to air, water, underground injection, land (including landfills), and the amount transferred off-site for disposal. Data provided does not mean that facilities with elevated levels are out of compliance with state, local or federal environmental regulations.

The only facility reporting is Star-Kist Samoa with five pounds in air releases. Overall, American Samoa ranks the very lowest in total releases from 56 states and territories.

“TRI is an important tool for regulators, emergency responders, reporters, businesses and communities because it helps us better understand the types and amounts of chemicals being released in our communities,” said Wayne Nastri, the EPA’s administrator for the Pacific Southwest region. “We are pleased to report American Samoa has the lowest releases of any state or territory in the nation.”

Some findings of interest nationally for 2006:
* Total disposal and other releases are down two percent from last year.
* Combined air releases of TRI chemicals are down seven percent.
* Total disposal and other releases of mercury to all media combined increased 17 percent. However, air releases of mercury are down four percent.
* From 2001-2006, total releases reported to TRI decreased by 24 percent.

The reporting of data to the Toxics Release Inventory is required under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, passed in 1986. This program has been credited with arming communities with valuable knowledge and encouraging facilities to reduce their releases of toxic chemicals into the environment through source reduction, or pollution prevention measures.

For more information on TRI see: https://www.epa.gov/triexplorer/ and https://www.epa.gov/enviro. State fact sheets are available at: https://www.epa.gov/triexplorer/statefactsheet.htm.

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