All News Releases By Date

Free EPA workshop for reporting toxic releases

Release Date: 10/2/2001
Contact Information:
EPA 303/312-6447,

Release Date: 10/2/2001
Contact Information:
EPA 303/312-6026,

Release Date: 10/2/2001
Contact Information:
EPA 303/312-6603

DENVER–EPA announces a free workshop October 23rd for facilities required to report lead usage and/or production under the national Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). This no-cost Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) workshop will focus on the new reporting requirements for lead and lead compounds that went into effect on April 17, 2001. Certain facilities that manufacture, process or otherwise use more than 100 pounds of lead or any lead compounds each year must now report their releases and other waste management activities to EPA, State and Tribal governments.

Colorado businesses make news each year when their annual TRI reports are made public. These reports allow EPA, States, Tribes, communities, environmental groups, and individual citizens to monitor amounts and types of pollutants released into the environment, to identify which facilities release the most toxic chemicals, to detect chemical release permit violations and to gauge a facility’s pollution-prevention progress and waste-management activities.

In recent years, EPA has expanded TRI by tightening the reporting requirements for a number of highly toxic chemicals that persist in the environment. Commonly referred to as Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Pollutants or PBTs, these chemicals include mercury, polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs), dioxins, as well as lead and lead compounds.

PBTs are highly toxic, long-lasting substances that can amass in human, marine and animal tissues to levels that are harmful to human and ecosystem health. Those most at risk are children and the developing fetus. PBTs are associated with a range of adverse human health effects, including effects on the nervous system, reproductive and developmental problems, cancer, and genetic impacts. EPA's challenge in reducing risks from PBTs stems from the pollutant's ability to travel long distances, to transfer rather easily among air, water and land, and to linger for generations in people and the environment.


WHO: Manufacturing facilities, metal and coal mines, electric utilities, chemical distributors, waste facilities regulated under RCRA Subtitle C, chemical distributors, petroleum bulk storage facilities and solvent recovery services are regulated under TRI. The TRI reporting requirements are limited to these facilities with the equivalent of 10 or more full time employees.

WHAT: TRI Lead Reporting Workshop. Participants will learn:
T how, when and what to report
T how to complete EPA’s Form R
T about TRI chemicals, including lead and lead compounds, that are subject to reporting requirements
T EPCRA rules, definitions, and exemptions
T about the TRI database and related reporting software

WHEN: Tuesday, October 23, 2001, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: Downtown Denver at the EPA Conference Center. Located at 999 18th Street (second floor promenade).

WHY: Facilities subject to the new TRI lead and lead compounds rule are required to file their 2001 reports to EPA and the state/tribal governments by July 1, 2002. Facilities that meet the criteria but fail to file annual Toxic Chemical Release Reports may be subject to civil penalties.

RSVP: Space is limited, and participants must register for the workshop in advance.

NOTE: Transportation and lodging are the participants’ responsibility. Those attending the workshop should bring an ID (drivers license), calculator, pen and paper to the session. For more details or to register, call Joyel Dheiux at 303/312-6447 or Jack Salter at 303/312/6026, or call toll free at 800/227-8917 ext. 6447 or 6026.