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TRI for the Public: Accessing and Using the Data

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The TRI is a valuable source of information about toxic chemicals that are being used, manufactured, transported or released into the environment. The public can access this information and find out what TRI listed chemicals are being released by certain facilities.

How does the TRI Program Work?

Every July, facilities that meet certain reporting requirements submit their emissions reports for the previous calendar year. EPA then takes the information and updates the TRI database, releasing information to the public the following year. The Toxics Release Inventory 2004 Data Release was announced on April 12, 2006. The Toxics Release Inventory database includes information on the following:

It is important to emphasize that the Toxics Release Inventory is not a complete inventory of all toxic releases. Only facilities that meet reporting criteria need to report. Many other potentially significant sources, such as airports, warehouses, and auto repair shops, are not currently included in the database. Reported releases are annual estimates, which may be determined by emissions testing, engineering, calculations or other means. The amounts reported could have been released evenly over the course of the year or, possibly, in a single occurrence. While the TRI database is limited in scope, it is a starting point for assessing possible health effects resulting from industrial chemical use. Keep in mind that risk cannot be determined without other factors, such as exposure and toxicity.

Accessing TRI Data

The Toxics Release Inventory contains information on releases of over 650 chemicals and chemical categories from facilities including manufacturing, metal and coal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste treatment, among others. If you or your library have access to a computer, you can easily find information on toxic chemical releases over the Internet.

The following Web sites provide access to specific data and trend information on individual facilities, counties, states, or the nation as whole. In addition, you can analyze and sort the data by industry, by specific media (e.g., air, water, or land), and by chemical. If you don't have access to a computer, you can obtain reports from the Region 9 Toxics Release Inventory Program at (415) 947-4180.

EPA Sites:

Other Sites:

You can also get TRI data and other information by watershed by visiting Surf Your Watershed.

Community Right-to Know

The Community Right-to-Know Act was written with individual citizens in mind, and was based on the principle that the more people know, the more effectively they can improve the health and safety of their communities. Explore the TRI database to learn more about chemical releases in your community.

TRI Resources

The Region 9 TRI program is committed to community outreach. Below are links to specific information for education, health and community groups.

For More Information

For more information or to obtain publications about TRI, contact the Region 9 TRI program, or visit the national TRI Web site.

Region 9 Topics and Programs | A-Z Index

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