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Analyzing Generation and Management of Priority Chemicals 2005-2007: The National Priority Chemicals Trends Report

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

Highlights

EPA's National Priority Chemicals Trends Report evaluates and analyzes the trends for quantities and management of the 31 Priority Chemicals (PCs) that industrial and federal government facilities reported to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) for reporting years 2005 through 2007 and are contained in hazardous waste streams reported for the Hazardous Waste Biennial Report (BR) for 2007.

TRI is a publicly available database with information on the use, release, and management of 581 individually listed chemicals and 30 chemical categories reported by industrial and federal facilities whose primary business activity is on the list of North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes subject to TRI reporting. PCs are chemicals that are persistent, highly toxic, and can accumulate in living organisms.

Data on hazardous waste generation and management activities are obtained from the Hazardous Waste Report (also called the Biennial Report).  A BR must be submitted by large quantity generators (LQGs) and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) every two years.  In this Report, BR data (2005) for the seven PCs that are not reported to TRI are included.

The Trends Report is used for:

  1. showing progress toward achieving EPA's Government Performance Results Act (GPRA) national goal to reduce PCs in waste, and
  2. identifying opportunities to reduce these PCs, including assisting EPA in identifying potential partners for the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP).

Tracking Progress Toward the GPRA Goal to Reduce PCs

We use this Report to show progress made in achieving EPA’s Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) national goal to reduce PCs in wastes.  By 2011, reduce 4 million pounds of priority chemicals from waste streams as measured by National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) contributions, Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs), and other tools used by EPA to achieve priority chemical reductions.  EPA has set additional goals to reduce 2 million pounds of priority chemicals in 2011 and 3 million pounds in 2012. We measure this goal through the achievements of National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) partners. 

Priority Chemical Reductions Achieved (pounds) Total Reductions Achieved (pounds)
FY 2007–2010
Percent of Total Reductions Achieved
FY 2007–2010
FY2007 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010
Lead and lead compounds
553,831
3,845,767
6,849,711
1,708,793
12,958,102
81.8%
Naphthalene
528,607
1,187,863
52,789
0
1,773,487
11.2%
Polycyclic aromatic compounds
219,529
518,982
37,655
110,568
886,734
5.6%
Polychlorinated biphenyls
4,600
5,671
96,089
359
106,719
0.7%
Dibenzofuran
23,830
61,055
0
0
84,885
0.5%
Mercury and mercury compounds
9,603
8,744
4,228
940
23,515
0.2%
Total
1,340,000
5,628,082
7,040,472
1,820,660
15,833,442
100.0%

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Trends (Based on TRI data) in the Generation of Priority Chemicals

The Trends Report also provides information on and analyzes trends related to the quantities and management methods of PCs contained in RCRA Subtitle C hazardous wastes and non-hazardous RCRA Subtitle D industrial wastes for the nation, EPA Regions, states, counties, industry sectors, and federal facilities. We analyze PC trends based on the most recent three years of TRI data available: 2005-2007. This analysis assists EPA in assessing chemical reduction priorities and identifying opportunities for eliminating or reducing PCs.

For 2007, facilities reported approximately 85 million pounds of PCs. Compared to the quantities reported in 2005 and 2006, this represents a decrease of almost 7.7 million pounds (- 8.3 %) and an increase of almost 1 million pounds (+ 1.1 %), respectively (see the table and graph below). The quantities of PCs generated each year are influenced by numerous factors, including:

TRI Reporting Year 2005 2006 2007
Total Quantity of PCs (pounds)
92,502,375
83,870,410
84,834,153
Number of TRI Facilities Reporting PC Quantity
5,508
5,360
5,186
Number of TRI Facilities Reporting PC Quantity

Click the picture to view a larger image.

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In 2007, four of the PCs (lead and lead compounds, naphthalene, hexachlor-1,3-butadiene and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), accounted for approximately 79 percent of the total national quantity of PCs.

Priority Chemical Number of Facilities That Reported This PC in 2007 Quantity (pounds) Percent of National Total PC Quantity (2007) Change in Quantity (2005–2007)
2005 2006 2007
Lead and lead compounds
4,413
36,789,827
36,538,601
34,467,769
40.6%
-2,322,058
Naphthalene
644
17,232,309
14,143,706
12,071,587
14.2%
-5,160,721
Hexachloro-1,3-butadiene
5
10,120,647
9,954,510
10,312,897
12.2%
192,250
Polycyclic aromatic compounds
709
9,076,991
7,967,837
10,211,230
12.0%
1,134,239
Hexachlorobenzene
25
6,685,476
4,549,984
6,524,018
7.7%
-161,458
Hexachloroethane
9
6,095,933
4,166,250
5,487,132
6.5%
-608,801
Phenanthrene
67
1,430,252
1,726,564
1,365,563
1.6%
-64,689
1,2,4-trichlorobenzene
10
1,269,422
1,372,426
1,342,738
1.6%
73,316
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene
447
688,490
785,274
853,113
1.0%
164,623
Cadmium and cadmium compounds
53
611,375
867,700
815,688
1.0%
204,314
Pentachlorobenzene
6
545,884
550,242
599,016
0.7%
53,132
Pendimethalin
8
558,624
291,521
202,417
0.2%
-356,207
Quintozene
4
303,237
248,538
193,410
0.2%
-109,827
Anthracene
43
601,973
379,752
154,336
0.2%
-447,637
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
37
143,479
108,559
90,203
0.1%
-53,276
Mercury and mercury compounds
594
80,719
74,194
72,244
0.1%
-8,475
Trifluralin
10
46,600
37,200
26,072
<0.1%
-20,528
Dibenzofuran
13
139,463
89,871
22,308
<0.1%
-117,155
Pentachlorophenol
19
77,281
14,814
21,960
<0.1%
-55,322
Dioxin and dioxin-like compounds*
363
482
496
450
<0.1%
-32
2,4,5-trichlorophenol
0
3,800
2,255
0
0.0%
-3,800
Heptachlor
0
109
69
0
0.0%
-109
Lindane
0
0
0
0
0.0%
0
Methoxychlor
0
0
45
0
0.0%
0
Total
92,502,375
83,870,410
84,834,153
100.0%
-7,668,222

* Please note that numerous facilities reported more than one PC.

** Facilities report dioxin and dioxin-like compounds to TRI in grams, with a reporting threshold of 0.1 grams.  For the purposes of this table, we converted the quantity reported as grams to pounds.


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Trends in Management Methods for Priority Chemicals

The Trends Report presents an analysis of the trends seen in the management of PCs between 2005 and 2007. EPA and states use this information to identify potential waste minimization opportunities. See the following table for more information on the trends in PCs management from 2005-2007.

Some highlights concerning the overall methods that facilities used for the management of PCs:

Disposal

Energy Recovery

Treatment

Management Method Quantity (pounds)
2005 2006 2007
Onsite Disposal
8,236,852
9,800,629
9,507,979
Offsite Disposal
32,200,180
29,115,976
27,686,934
Total Disposal
40,437,033
38,916,605
37,194,912
Onsite Energy Recovery
6,459,739
7,383,337
9,086,085
Offsite Energy Recovery
5,196,773
3,671,768
1,366,848
Total Energy Recovery
11,656,512
11,055,105
10,452,933
Onsite Treatment
38,822,398
32,094,340
36,201,122
Offsite Treatment
1,586,432
1,804,360
985,185
Total Treatment
40,408,831
33,898,699
37,186,307
Total Non-Recycled PC Quantity
92,502,375
83,870,410
84,834,153

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The following table shows how each of the PCs was managed in 2007.

Priority Chemical Quantity (pounds)
Total PC Quantity Disposal Energy Recovery Treatment
Onsite Offsite Onsite Offsite Onsite Offsite
Lead and lead compounds
34,467,769
8,869,125
25,550,352
0
20
96
48,176
Naphthalene
12,071,587
13,283
704,489
3,217,225
983,439
6,721,153
431,999
Hexachloro-1,3-butadiene
10,312,897
2
10
0
19
10,284,530
28,336
Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs)
10,211,230
127,495
623,484
3,874,220
83,079
5,423,977
78,975

Hexachlorobenzene

6,524,018

249

3,449

233,408

1,935

6,246,017

38,959

Hexachloroethane
5,487,132
74
0
279,739
17,186
4,999,666
190,468
Phenanthrene
1,365,563
2,311
134,799
1,002,410
37,315
163,156
25,571
1,2,4-trichlorobenzene
1,342,738
3,700
3
107,930
18,038
1,199,724
13,343
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene
853,113
2,985
60,919
351,257
1,710
433,363
2,879
Cadmium and cadmium compounds
815,688
394,069
421,619
0
0
0
0
Pentachlorobenzene
599,016
11
0
3,240
0
594,572
1,193
Pendimethalin
202,417
81,371
1,181
0
0
100,140
19,725
Quintozene
193,410
0
2,357
0
189,215
0
1,838
Anthracene
154,336
398
104,992
16,656
20,004
10,102
2,184
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
90,203
4,082
3,679
0
4
20,375
62,063
Mercury and mercury compounds
72,244
8,802
63,442
0
0
0
0
Trifluralin
26,072
8
177
0
0
1,900
23,986
Dibenzofuran
22,308
0
10,107
0
7,091
1,931
3,179
Pentachlorophenol
21,960
0
1,729
0
7,790
231
12,210
Dioxin and dioxin-like compounds*
450
13
144
0
3
190
100
Total
84,834,153
9,507,979
27,686,934
9,086,085
1,366,848
36,201,122
985,185

* Note: Facilities report dioxin and dioxin-like compounds to TRI in grams, with a reporting threshold of 0.1 grams.  For the purposes of this table, we converted the quantity reported as grams to pounds.

Recycling of Priority Chemicals

Large quantities of some of the PCs are recycled.   Recycled quantities were reported by facilities that only recycle PCs as well as by facilities that also manage their PCs using disposal, energy recovery, or treatment methods.   In 2007, facilities recycled approximately 604 million pounds of PCs of which lead and lead compounds accounted for 92 percent

Estimated Quantity of Priority Chemicals Contained in Hazardous Waste Streams (Based on 2007 BR Data)

We developed a methodology that estimates the quantity of PCs contained in BR waste streams that are reported under RCRA. The data derived from applying this methodology to the BR data supplements the data for the 24 PCs reported to TRI and also provides data for six of the seven PCs that are not reported to TRI. The focus of this methodology is primary generation activities that includes waste streams generated from a production process, service activity, or routine/periodic cleanup, where potential opportunities for direct waste minimization (e.g., source reduction, recycling) are the greatest.  Based on applying this methodology to the 2007 BR data, we estimate that facilities reported hazardous wastes containing approximately 95 million pounds of PCs.  Lead accounted for approximately 84 percent of the total quantity of PCs estimated to be contained in hazardous wastes.

Priority Chemical Number of Reporting Facilities Estimated Quantity (pounds) of Priority Chemical
Contained in BR Wastes (2007)
Percent of
Total Quantity
Wastewaters Non-Wastewaters Total Quantity
Lead
5,627
1,649,271
78,357,135
80,006,407
84.5%
Mercury
3,108
404,911
3,276,890
3,681,801
3.5%
Cadmium
4,379
3,525
2,148,138
2,151,663
2.3%
Hexachlorobutadiene
55
<1
1,633,334
1,633,308
1.8%
Hexachloroethane
51
<1
1,313,364
1,313,330
1.4%
Hexachlorobenzene
74
<1
1,282,864
1,282,834
1.4%
Naphthalene
346
2,044
975,974
978,018
1.1%
Phenanthrene
294
4,057
970,670
974,727
1.0%
Pentachlorobenzene
23
0
943,921
943,921
1.0%
Pyrene
272
14,296
353,917
368,212
0.4%
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
18
0
261,998
261,998
0.3%
Pentachlorophenol
142
28,400
179,725
208,125
0.2%
1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene
24
0
171,048
171,048
0.2%
Anthracene
214
2,822
152,928
155,750
0.2%
Benzo(a)anthracene*
254
316
148,845
149,161
0.2%
Benzo(a)pyrene*
264
220
119,725
119,945
0.1%
Fluorene
189
238
106,983
107,221
0.1%
Acenaphthene
211
1,922
90,362
92,284
0.1%
Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene*
146
2
53,473
53,475
0.1%
7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene*
50
0
35,924
35,924
<0.1%
Acenaphthylene
9
0
34,921
34,921
<0.1%
Benzo(k)fluoranthene*
139
18
24,189
24,207
<0.1%
Benzo(b)fluoranthene*
146
18
24,179
24,197
<0.1%
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene*
147
20
21,701
21,721
<0.1%
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene
100
2
5,187
5,189
<0.1%
3-Methylcholanthrene*
49
0
2,428
2,428
<0.1%
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
123
6
40
46
<0.1%
Dibenzofuran
102
9
2
11
<0.1%
Hexachlorocyclohexane, gamma- (Lindane)
77
6
2
8
<0.1%
Methoxychlor
39
0
1
1
<0.1%
Dioxins/Furans
103
<1
<1
<1
<0.1%
Pentachloronitrobenzene (Quintozene)
18
<1
<1
<1
<0.1%
4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether
5
0
<1
<1
<0.1%
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
1
0
<1

<1

<0.1%

Heptachlor/Heptachlor epoxide
22
<1
<1
<1
<0.1%
Endosulfan, alpha - and beta-
15
<1
<1
<1
<0.1%
Total
2,112,103
92,689,777
94,801,881
100.0%

Report Highlights: More Summary Information from the Trends Report

Use these links to view summary analyses without reading the entire Trends Report. Following these links, you will find links to the Trends Report itself. Waste Minimization Trends Report Survey (PDF) (2 pp, 30K) Please take this brief survey to let us know how well we are meeting your needs and expectations for the Trends Report.

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National Priority Chemicals Trends Report

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PC-BR and PC-TRI Methodologies

Use these links to view the methodology used to extract priority chemical data from the Biennial Hazardous Waste Report and the Toxics Release Inventory measurement methodology.

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