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A Citizen's Guide to Reducing Toxic Risks

Using the Toxics Release Inventory

Summer 2002 - EPA #909-B-02-002

How can the Toxics Release Inventory help you?

EPA's Pacific Southwest Regional Office has prepared this brochure to help communities in Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada use the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to help make their neighborhoods safer and cleaner. TRI provides information about toxic chemicals and their use in your local area. This information can help communities identify and reduce harmful pollution.

What are people saying about the Toxics Release Inventory?

Both community and industry groups have praised the Toxics Release Inventory as an important tool for reducing pollution. The Sierra Club Magazine call the Toxics Release Inventory "one of the most effective tools of grassroots democracy ever." A Monsanto representative said "We are convinced that [compliance with the Toxics Release Inventory] will ultimately result in cost savings for the company and a competitive advantage." Learn how the Toxics Release Inventory can help you and your community.

Contents

Why Congress passed the Community Right-to-Know Law

Using toxic release data - Communities in action!

Toxics Release Inventory - What it does and doesn't do

Facilities covered by TRI

How you can access the Toxics Release Inventory

Risk screening

Resources in your community

Getting help from EPA

Using the Internet to access toxic release data

Why did Congress pass the Community Right-to-Know Law?

In 1984, a lethal gas leaked from a Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, causing the deaths of nearly 6,500 people. Nine months later, a similar plant in West Virginia had a potentially dangerous release of a toxic pesticide. No lives were lost, but it was clear that toxic chemical releases, both routine and accidental, could endanger public health. In response to this threat, Congress passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). [1]

Hailed as one of the strongest environmental laws passed in the 1980s, the Right-to-Know Act's primary purpose is to inform communities and citizens of chemical hazards. The law was written with ordinary people in mind, and was based on the principle that the more people know, the more effective they can be in improving health and safety. The law requires businesses to report the locations and quantities of chemicals stored on site and helps communities prepare for chemical spills and similar emergencies. It also requires certain facilities to report releases to the environment of about 650 toxic chemicals and chemical categories. This information is collected into a national and publicly available database - - the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).

[1] The Act is also known as Title III of SARA (the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986).

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Using toxic release data: Communities in action!

Community groups have used the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to raise awareness and to reduce toxic pollution in a number of creative and effective ways:

The following examples show how community groups have used the Toxics Release Inventory:

Educating community members

Don't Waste Arizona, a non-profit organization in Phoenix, Arizona, has used TRI data as an organizing tool to inform people of their right to know about toxic chemicals that are being released in their communities. The group is particularly active communities near some of the largest mines and smelters in the United States. To teach members of the public and the regulated community about the Community Right-to-Know Act, the group has developed two educational videos. The videos have been distributed to citizens, libraries and compliance assistance centers throughout the State. Don't Waste Arizona has held "house parties" to show the video and discuss how communities can identify and reduce toxic pollution. Using TRI data as an organizing tool, Don't Waste Arizona is helping communities take action for a cleaner environment.

For more information, contact:

Don't Waste Arizona
Steve Brittle
6205 S. 12th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85042
(602) 268-6110
e-mail: dwaz@fastq.com

Petitioning EPA to add new chemicals to the Toxics Release Inventory

Communities for a Better Environment in Oakland, California, joined a coalition of other community and environmental groups to form the Zero Dioxin Coalition. The coalition was concerned about dioxins, a group of highly toxic chemicals that are formed and released into the environment from certain industrial processes. Extremely small amounts of dioxins are know to be harmful to human health and the environment. Dioxins are more dangerous than most chemicals because they are very toxic, remain in the environment and the body for a long time, and accumulate as they move up the food chain.

In the 1980s and 1990s, dioxins were not in included on the list of chemicals reportable under the Toxics Release Inventory. Communities for a Better Environment identified this gap and, in coordination with the Zero Dioxin Coalition, petitioned EPA to include dioxins in the list of reportable chemicals. EPA agreed that dioxins should be added to the reporting list and issued a new rule that required facilities producing more than 0.1 grams of dioxins to report annually on their releases. The new rule became effective on January 1, 2000. In May of 2002, the first of the dioxins data collected under the new rule was released to the public.

For more information, contact:

Communities for a Better Environment
Greg Karras
1611 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 450
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 302-0430
email: gkarras@cbecal.org

Ensuring that citizens receive accurate data about drinking water quality

The California Public Interest Research Group (CalPIRG) works on a variety of environmental and consumer issues in California. The San Francisco office of CalPIRG uses TRI data to find out which industries are releasing toxic chemicals to water. CalPIRG is particularly interested in surface water discharges that may pollute drinking water.

As an advocate for safe drinking water, CalPIRG relies upon TRI data to supplement the information that water utilities publish in their Consumer Confidence Reports, and to identify potential water contamination sources. Through community right-to-know, CalPIRG is representing this information to policymakers in an effort to require water suppliers to provide more information on drinking water contamination to the public.

For more information, contact:

California Public Interest Research Group
Terry Olle
3486 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 206-9338
email: t_olle@yahoo.com

Using news media reporting to decrease water pollution in Pennsylvania

Like its counterpart in California, the Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group (PennPIRG) uses TRI data to determine which industries are releasing toxic chemicals to water. In the summer of 2000 PennPIRG discovered that AK Steel Corp. in Butler, Pennsylvania, was the nation's largest sources of toxic surface water pollution, with a release of 32 million pounds of nitrate compounds into Connoquenessing Creek in 1998. PennPIRG held press conferences statewide to publicize the finding, which resulted in over 100 newspaper and magazine articles published.

The media attention led to a dialogue between AK Steel, the Pennsylvania State Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As a result, the State committed to reduce the amount of nitrates AK Steel is permitted to release to the creek, and AK Steel agreed to supply an alternate source of drinking water to the 4,000 people affected by the nitrate discharges.

For more information, contact:

Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group
David Masur
1334 Walnut St., 6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 732-3747
email: pennpirg@pirg.org

Evaluating risk and promoting public advocacy

The Toxics Release Inventory alone does not have the capability to compare the risks of different chemical releases. In order to rank chemical hazards, raw data on toxic releases must be combined with environmental and human health data. Environmental Defense has developed an on-line program, the "Environmental Scorecard," to do this. Their web site uses a scoring system to identify environmental releases of toxic chemicals that are likely to pose the greatest risk to human health. This system adjusts the amount of a chemical that is released (in pounds) using a weighting factor (a chemical's "toxic equivalency potential"), so that chemical releases can be compared on a common scale that takes into account differences in toxicity and exposure potential. Tools like the Scorecard help communities identify priority pollutants and develop risk-based pollution reduction strategies to make communities safer and cleaner. In addition, Scorecard has an environmental justice analyzer function that examines the distribution of chemical releases according to socioeconomic variables.

For more information, contact:

Environmental Defense
Cathryn Tonne
257 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
(212) 616-1309
email: ctonne@environmentaldefense.org

Integrating socio-economic and TRI data to analyze environmental justice issues

The Lake Charles Region of Louisiana has become a focal point for environmental justice issues. The region is known for its high concentration of petrochemical factors as well as for disproportionately high levels of toxic chemical pollution. Several small communities have confronted local industries about their toxic releases and the possible links to health problems experienced by people living nearby. One illustrative case arose in Mossville, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, where some residents suspected that poor health in their community was due to the activities of 17 industrial facilities located within one half-mile of the community. Their concerns prompted numerous nonprofit organizations to collaborate on a report, "Breathing Poison: The Toxic Costs of Industries in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana." The 2000 report used TRI data and information from Environmental Defense's "Scorecard" Web site to convey the health risks to which the community might be exposed and stated the need for "pollution reduction, environmental health services, and a fair and just relocation for consenting residents." As a result of the study, local industries have initiated an air monitoring project.

For more information, contact:

Mossville Environmental Action Now
Dagmar Darjean
4117 Perkins Ave.
Sulphur, LA 70663
(337) 882-7476
email: DeLilith@aol.com

Analyzing local sustainability trends

The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition is a grassroots environmental health and justice organization based in the birthplace of the high-tech industry, Santa Clara County, California. In 1989, the group was among the first organizations in the nation to use the Toxics Release Inventory to reduce pollution, in this case by launching a successful campaign to reduce high-tech greenhouse gas emissions. More than 10 years later, the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition is still using TRI data for a variety of purposes. For example, the group develops maps merging information on toxic pollution sources with population data to evaluate environmental justice concerns. In addition, the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition relied on TRI data to develop the first Silicon Valley Environmental Index, showing local sustainability trends in Santa Clara County.

For more information, contact:

Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition
Michael Stanley-Jones
760 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 287-6707
email: msjones@svtc.org

Using toxic release reduction as a contract bargaining tool to protect worker health

The Oneida Environmental Resources Board in Wisconsin used TRI data to show that the pulp and paper industry was the largest industrial source of toxic chemical pollution in the state, despite industry claims that significant emissions reductions in the past made further improvements unnecessary. Recognizing the need for action, the Board convinced leaders of the Oneida Tribe to hold a conference on cleaner ways to manufacture pulp and paper. The conference improved industry awareness of alternative processes that would be less harmful to human health and the environment. The Board also used TRI data to alert local labor union about possible worker health risks. As a result, the union included requests for reductions in toxic chemical releases in its contract renewal negotiations.

For more information, contact:

Oneida Environmental Resources Board
Laura Manthe
3759 West Mason Street, Suite 6
Oneida, WI 54155
(920) 490-6874
email: lmanthe@oneidanation.org

Educating students

The Toxics Release Inventory is a useful tool for educators. Becky Robinson, a teacher from Richmond High School in Richmond, California, created a lesson plan for her eleventh grade Introductory Chemistry class that included a guide to Envirofacts, the EPA Web site where toxics release data are housed. Her students were asked to experiment with different aspects of the site. Each student used the Toxics Release Inventory database to locate a facility reporting toxic releases in the Richmond/San Pablo area. The students also chose a commonly-known toxic chemical and did further research on the health impacts of exposure to that chemical. This type of activity gives students an opportunity to build knowledge of environmental problems in their communities and learn how to find additional relevant information.

For more information, contact:

Richmond High School
Becky Robinson
1250 23rd Street
Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 237-8770
email: rrobinson23@yahoo.com

Studying the health effects of chemical pollution on children

In September 2000, Physicians for Social Responsibility, along with the National Environmental Trust and the Learning Disabilities Association of America, released the report, "Polluting Our Future: Chemical Pollution in the U.S. that Affects Child Development and Learning." This report used TRI and other data to present national information about releases of chemicals that present potential developmental and neurological risks to children. The report ranked states by their releases of these chemicals and included information about counties, industries, and facilities with the highest toxic chemical releases. As a result of the study, the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is making more informed decisions about which chemicals to monitor in the blood and tissues of people, animals and fish.

For more information, contact:

National Environmental Trust
Tom Natan
1200 18th St. NW, 5th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 887-8828
email: info@environet.org

Promoting international right-to-know

The Toxics Release Inventory enhances the ability of people around the world to monitor toxic releases using the same yardstick. Community and environmental groups from around the world have been lobbying international bodies to promote right-to-know around the world.

In July 2000, the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition attended an international conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia on public participation and community right-to-know. The conference was held in concert with a United Nations meeting on the global environment. Participants at the conference recognized the fundamental importance of chemical right-to-know and are lobbying the U.N. to promote the program internationally and to persuade nations to support the passage of community right-to-know laws modeled after the U.S. Toxics Release Inventory. Recent efforts made by the 2000 conference participants produced the pollution release and transfer registers (PRTR) protocol, an international version of the TRI. The PRTR is available for signature by any country.

For more information, contact:

Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition
Michael Stanley-Jones
760 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 287-6707
email: msjones@svtc.org

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Toxics Release Inventory - What it does and doesn't do!

The Toxics Release Inventory database includes information on ...

Toxic releases to water
Fugitive toxic releases to air
Stack air emissions
Underground injections
On-site releases to land
Transfer of chemicals off-site
Wastes treated on-site
Pollution prevention activities
Chemical recycling

The Toxics Release Inventory provides a comprehensive overview of toxic chemical pollution from manufacturing and federal facilities in the U.S. Getting this information and making it public has led to substantial reductions in toxic releases. Between 1988 and 2000, facilities covered by the law reduced their reported releases by 48%. Chemical companies, environmental groups, communities, researchers, and government agencies have used toxic release data to identify pollution prevention opportunities and reduce toxic pollution. The TRI illustrates the power of information and public disclosure.

It is important to emphasize that the Toxics Release Inventory is not a complete inventory of all toxic releases. Only facilities that use significant amounts of toxic chemicals and employ a minimum of 10 people need to report. Many potential pollution sources, such as airports, warehouses, and auto repair shops, are not currently included in the database.

In 1998, the program expanded to include seven new industry sectors: metal mining, coal mining, electric utilities, commercial hazardous waste treatment, chemicals and allied product-wholesale, petroleum bulk terminals and plants-wholesale, and solvent recovery services. As a result of the addition of these new sectors, the total weight of toxic releases reported in the United States in 1998 was almost triple the number for 1997. Most of the increase was due to metal mining and electric utilities.

When the program was first established, there were about 300 chemicals in the toxics release inventory. A provision in the law allows the chemical list to be modified as appropriate. Accordingly, many changes have been made over the years. Today there are more than 650 chemicals and chemical categories on the list of reportable substances. Interested parties can petition the EPA to list or delist certain chemicals, and EPA response to these petitions.

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Facilities covered by TRI

A plant, factory, or other facility must report to the Toxics Release Inventory if it meets all of the following three criteria:

  1. Its manufacturing operations are included in Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) [2] codes 20 through 39 or one of the seven newly-added industries, or is a federal facility; and

  2. It has 10 or more full-time employees (or the equivalent of 20,000 hours per year); and

  3. It manufactures, imports, processes, or otherwise uses any of the listed toxic chemicals in amounts greater than specified threshold quantities. For most chemicals, the thresholds are 25,000 pounds for chemicals manufactured or processed, and 10,000 pounds for chemicals that are otherwise used (without incorporating into any product; also includes chemicals received from off-site for waste stabilization, treatment, or disposal). For 18 chemicals which are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT), a new rule has set much lower thresholds in the range of 0.1 grams to 100 pounds. A new rule has also lowered the reporting threshold for lead and lead compounds to 100 pounds [3].
[2] Standard Industrial Codes are developed by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget in order to classify industries according to the service they provide or the product they manufacture.
[3] Lower threshold does not apply to lead contained in steel, brass or bronze alloys.

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How to Access the Toxics Release Inventory

The Toxics Release Inventory is only valuable if people can access and use the information. That is why EPA makes the data available in a variety of formats, on the Internet, and at a wide range of public facilities. TRI data is distributed to over 4,000 locations, including public libraries. The primary way to access the data is through the Internet. If you do not have a computer, you can access the Internet at your local library. You may also receive EPA's analysis of the data on hard copy reports.

Internet Access

The Internet is one of the easiest ways to use the database. There are four excellent web sites which provide direct web access to the TRI database and which allow users to find information on specific facilities or geographic areas. The Internet sites are: Envirofacts, TRI Explorer, Scorecard, and RTK NET.

These databases can be searched by facility, zip code, chemical, Standard Industrial Classification code and other variables. For example, if you know the name of the facility, you can retrieve information about releases of toxic chemicals from that facility. You can also look at releases in your city, county, zip code, or state. Some users do a deeper analysis, looking at releases of particular chemicals or from different types of industries. The following is a description of four web sites housing TRI data.

Envirofacts

Envirofacts, created and maintained by EPA, provides information on air, chemicals, facilities, hazardous waste, Superfund sites, toxic releases, and a variety of other environmental information. Envirofacts can also be searched by facility, company, and location, as well as according to specific chemicals. EPA created the Envirofacts Warehouse to provide the public with direct access to the wealth of information in its databases.

TRI Explorer

Another EPA web site for access Toxics Release Inventory data is the TRI Explorer. The TRI Explorer is easier to use than Envirofacts, but not as powerful. This Web site does not have the most recent TRI reports. It is useful for quickly generating reports based on facilities, chemicals, geographic areas, or industry types (SIC code) at the county, state, and national level. Combined with hazard and exposure information, the TRI Explorer can be a valuable tool for risk identification.

Scorecard

Environmental Defense, a non-profit national environmental organization, makes TRI data available on their Web site. Through Scorecard, citizens can enter a zip code to obtain information about local pollution sources, and create maps of them. Scorecard provides information on about 6800 chemicals released by facilities, and the dangers associated with the releases. Scorecard gives citizens an opportunity to learn about environmental hazards in their communities and enables them to take action by contacting the facility or EPA.

RTK Net

The Right to Know Network is a user-friendly web site that was started in 1989 in response to the Emergency Planning and Right to Know Act (EPCRA). RTK NET contains information from multiple environmental databases. The site provides easy access to a number of government databases, including TRI. This TRI database can be searched by geographic area, facility, industry, parent company, or off-site waste transfer. RTK Net is maintained by two non-profit organizations, OMB Watch and the Center for Public Data Analysis.

RTK Net Help desk: Phone (202-234-8494 8am-6pm ET Monday-Friday) or send email to: helpdesk@rtknet.org or dbadmin@rtknet.org.

Annual Reports:

EPA compiles an annual analysis of the Toxics Release Inventory data, called the Toxics Release Inventory Public Data Release. It includes information about the chemicals that are being released, where they end up, and how wastes are managed. State fact sheets identifying which facilities have made the largest releases in each state are also available. A hard copy report of the Public Data Release can be obtained by calling (202) 564-9554. An electronic copy of the report is available through EPA's TRI web site (see "Get TRI Data").

The Pacific Southwest Region (Region 9) TRI program also publishes data release information on its Web site (see "TRI Data Release").

For more information on accessing TRI data, please go to EPA's TRI web site (see "Get TRI Data").

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Risk screening

Toxic chemicals are not all alike. Some chemicals pose a greater risk to human health than others. To help evaluate chronic (long-term) human health risks associated with toxic chemical releases from industrial facilities, EPA has developed a new tool: the Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI).

RSEI, a computer-based (Windows 95 or later) model available on CD-ROM, allows users to examine toxic chemical releases from industrial facilities, and to compare the risks associated with air and water releases. The model currently relies on data from the Toxics Release Inventory, but data from other sources may be incorporated in the future.

The RSEI model can provide screening-level answers to questions like:

The model gives users the ability to examine release trends and to compare chemical risks. This tool incorporates census data, a measure of chronic human health toxicity, and exposure modeling, allowing users to prioritize community environmental issues and to identify environmental justice concerns. At present, the RSEI model only considers the chronic (long-term) human health risks associated with toxic chemicals. Future versions of RSEI will consider chronic ecological risks.

To obtain the latest publicly-available version of the RSEI CD-ROM, call the EPA's Toxic Substances Control Act Assistance Information Service at: (202) 554-1404.

For further information, refer to the RSEI Internet site.

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Resources in your community

There are numerous resources available to you to help you access, analyze and use TRI data to make your neighborhood safer and cleaner. You can:

Network with neighbors, community and environmental groups:

Many groups with an environmental or community health focus are knowledgeable about the Toxics Release Inventory. These organizations may be able to assist you with your personal concerns about health issues, or they may be able to refer you to another source. Many of the larger organizations have local chapters and active grassroots organizations.

Networking with others is a good way to exchange information, and find out about meetings with officials, experts, and company representatives to plan activities that address your concerns. The more people involved, the more attention you are likely to receive from industry managers, government agencies, and the news media.

Go to your local library:

If you don't have access to a computer, visit your local library. Most public libraries are equipped with computers that are connected to the Internet, which you can use to access TRI data. Libraries can also be an invaluable source for other information about chemicals and their health and environmental effects. Ask your local librarian to help you identify additional community resources.

Visit your local fire department:

Fire departments are a good source of information about the hazardous chemicals used by facilities within their jurisdiction. Since fire departments are often the first to respond to a chemical emergency, they receive materials safety data sheets (MSDS) or lists of MSDS chemicals and hazardous chemical inventory forms that provide information about a specific chemical.

Identify local safety and public health agencies:

These agencies can help you evaluate chemical release data and identify additional information you may need. Most counties have a public health agency staffed by one or more doctors, including a county health officer. Some areas have poison control centers with toxicologists and other staff. If you have difficulty identifying appropriate agencies in your area, call the local hospital or fire department for a referral.

Locate the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC):

LEPCs plan for emergency action in the event of hazardous chemical spills and similar incidents. They are aware of hazardous chemicals used and stored by facilities in your area. They also have information on the health effects of hazardous chemicals. LEPCs, while often associated with existing county-level emergency planning or civil defense agencies, include representatives of environmental and transportation agencies, firefighters, hospitals, the news media, community groups and others.

Contact academic institutions:

Academic institutions are good resources for basic information about chemicals. Most universities employ physical chemists and biochemists who are knowledgeable on the properties and uses of hazardous chemicals. Universities with public health curricula will likely have faculty who are familiar with risk assessments.

Call the facility:

Each facility that reports chemical releases to the Toxics Release Inventory is required to designate an individual to serve as the public contact for inquiries. The name and phone number for the contact is included on the reporting form (Form R).

Contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR):

The ATSDR is the leading federal public health agency concerned with risks from chemical exposure. The ATSDR makes information on the health effects of hazardous substances available to the public, conducts health assessments, and sponsors research. It publishes toxicological profiles on health effects for specific chemicals. ATSDR maintains contacts with state and local health agencies throughout the U.S. For more information, call ATSDR at 404-498-0110 or Toll-free at 888-422-8737.

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Getting help from EPA

EPA can help answer questions about the Community Right-to-Know Act and assist you in getting the information you need.

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Using the Internet to access toxic release data

Below are step-by-step instructions for retrieving TRI data through two different Internet sites: Envirofacts and RTK NET. The databases can be searched by facility, location, type of industry, chemical, and other variables. Envirofacts and RTK NET also provides a wide variety of environmental and demographic information.

Please note that both sites are regularly revised and improved to increase user access and provide more information to the public.

Envirofacts

Once at the Envirofacts Homepage, click on "Queries". Then click on the line for the "Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)." At this point there are several search strategies that you may employ, depending on the type of information that you want.

The "Toxic Releases Query" retrieves data in Envirofacts for all facilities reporting chemical releases. Your query returns facility information, as well as reports that tabulate air emissions, surface water discharges, releases to land, underground injections, and transfers to off-site locations. You can narrow your search by selecting options including facility name, geographic location, type of industry (using its Standard Industrial Classification) and chemical names.

Envirofacts Facility Search:

To search for information about a particular facility, type the name or the applicable ID number of the facility in the appropriate box. Users may also need to try several potential versions of the name if the initial search is not successful. Limiting the search to a particular geographic area will speed up your search considerably.

After entering the search parameters, click on the "Search" button at the bottom of the page. The system will then search the database and give you a screen with all names it matched in the database. Select the facility you want by clicking on the TRI facility ID, and the system will display a chart of emissions reported to the TRI. Subsequent screens also give you the chance to link to additional regulatory information (such as water and air permits) for the facility.

Envirofacts Geographic Search:

Users may also search for facilities in a particular area that report to the TRI. Starting at the "Toxic Release Queries" screen, simply scroll down to the "Geographic Search" section and enter appropriate geographic parameters. Narrow the parameters as much as possible, since large searches are slower. This search will generate a list of facilities within the specified geographic area. To see their reported emissions, select the facility by clicking on its TRI ID number.

Envirofacts SIC or Chemical Search:

These are options that allow you to further limit the scope of your search to specific types of industries or chemicals.

RTK NET

RTK NET is managed by two nonprofit organizations, OMB Watch and the Center for Public Data Analysis. Once at the RTK NET site, click on the "Databases" line. At this point, you can either search the TRI database or all databases at once.

TRI Standard Reports from RTK NET:

To search the TRI database, click on "Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)". At this point, there are five options: Geographic Area, Facility, Industry, Parent Company, and Off-Site Waste Transfers. The first three are self-explanatory, and function more or less the same as in Envirofacts. Click on the icon of your choice, and fill in the search parameters. The last two options -- Parent Company and Off-Site Transfers -- allow unique searches not currently available on Envirofacts. The Parent Company option allows you to find all facilities reporting to TRI that are owned by the same parent company. The Off-Site Transfers option allows you to investigate how much waste reported in TRI was sent to or received by off-site waste disposal facilities.

Note: Hazardous waste treatment facilities were recently added to the list of industries that must report to TRI. These facilities first reported their toxic releases in 1998.

Master Standard Reports from RTK NET:

A master search allows users to search all of RTK NET's environmental databases, including the Toxics Release Inventory, at the same time. This can be done by specifying a specific facility, geographic areas, or industry type. The master search draws information from the following databases:

Wildcards: Please note that * is a wildcard in RTK NET. If you know a portion but not the exact or full name of the company, city, or other variable, you should use the wildcard. For example, if you know the company has the word "Widget" in its name, either *Widget* to receive a list of all companies that have "Widget" anywhere in their name.

Helpful Internet sites:

EPA Web sites:

EPA's Homepage

Toxics Release Inventory Homepage

Envirofacts (access to the Toxics Release Inventory database)

Chemical data fact sheets

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Web site

The ATSDR Web site contains health information on hazardous substances, including some TRI chemicals

Non-profit Web sites housing TRI data:

Environmental Defense's Scorecard

OMB Watch's Right-to-Know Network

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