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Facility Locator Tool - 2008 TRI DataThe facility locator tool below allows retrieval of 2008 data from the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) database in Envirofacts. This tool can be used to obtain facility and chemical information that was submitted on the Form R or Form A Certification Statement. The locator tool can better inform communities about releases of toxic chemicals in a particular area. Options including facility identification information and geographic criteria can be used to refine searches. Facility Locator Tool - Report Year: 2008Reporting Year: 2008 |
What is the facility locator tool?
What are the benefits of using the facility locator tool?
Is the 2008 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) facility locator tool the same as the electronic Facility Data Release (eFDR) provided in past years?
How are the data presented today different from the data that will be published in the TRI National Analysis in December?
Are there any differences in the 2008 TRI information provided in the facility locator tool and last year's eFDR?
Can the public suggest changes to the data?
Will data in the facility locator tool still function when the TRI National Analysis is published?
What guidance should the user be aware of when using TRI data?
How do I find TRI information using this facility locator tool?
Form R
Form A Certification Statement
What is the facility locator tool?
The facility locator tool allows users to access TRI data on a facility-level, form-by-form basis. You can search for individual facility TRI form information by "Facility Name," a "TRI Facility Identifier," or parts of a facility's address (town, state, zip code). The locator tool does not include analyses of the TRI data, such as national trend analysis.
What are the benefits of using the facility locator tool?
Originally created as the “electronic Facility Data Release” (eFDR), this locator tool was developed by EPA to get TRI data out to communities sooner. The tool provides a “snapshot” of each facility’s TRI submissions for the 2008 reporting year. Because the locator tool is being provided shortly after the July 1st reporting deadline, those who wish to use the data will not have to wait until the TRI National Analysis (formerly Public Data Release) in December. This locator tool responds to stakeholders’ requests that EPA share TRI data sooner and in the basic format received, without waiting for analysis.
Please be aware that the overall data set is not yet complete. EPA data checks are still in progress, and some data may change as a result of revised information provided by facilities after their initial submissions. The facility locator tool does not include “totals” for any release categories, nor any trend information. These statistics will be provided in the TRI National Analysis, which is planned for December 2009. For guidance on using and interpreting TRI data, please refer to Factors to Consider When Using TRI Data (29 pp, 196KB, About PDF).
Is the 2008 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) facility locator tool the same as the electronic Facility Data Release (eFDR) provided in past years?
Yes, the locator tool is essentially the eFDR that was provided the last several years. The locator tool is a facility-level, form-by-form release of TRI data for 2008 as reported by July 1, 2009. The tool does not include analyses of the TRI data, such as national trend analysis.
EPA found that some of the terms used in the TRI program like eFDR and PDR were confusing to data users. Therefore, the Agency will no longer use the terms “electronic Facility Data Release” and ”Public Data Release.” Instead, data users can now think of the release of data as a flow. The flow begins with the initial release of the preliminary data in August, continues with an update in early September, and culminates in the TRI National Analysis planned for late December.
How are the data presented in the facility locator tool different from the data that will be published in the TRI National Analysis in December?
The facility locator tool provides a facility-level, form-by-form release of TRI data, as submitted by facilities. It does not include the aggregation of TRI data or national trend analyses. The TRI National Analysis, formerly called the Public Data Release (PDR), will include full analysis and trend information. In addition, the data in the National Analysis will undergo comprehensive data checks. While most of the data found in the Facility Locator Tool have undergone basic quality assurance checks as part of the TRI Made Easy (TRI-ME) reporting software, EPA is in the process of conducting more detailed data quality checks. Also, some facilities are still reviewing their submissions and may revise their data prior to the release of the TRI National Analysis, planned for December 2009. See the Public Data Release (PDR) for previous years.
Are there any differences in the 2008 TRI information provided in the facility locator tool and last year's eFDR?
Yes. Two changes occurred this year. First, the TRI reporting requirements changed by returning to those in effect prior to December 22, 2006. Second, new reporting requirements for dioxin and dioxin-like compounds were put into effect. Details are provided below.
- Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting requirements changed on March 11, 2009, as a result of a change in federal law. The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act returned TRI reporting requirements to the rules in effect prior to December 22, 2006. These changes affected TRI reports due July 1, 2009. The change requires that all reports on persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals be submitted on "Form R," the more detailed form. For all other chemicals the shorter form, "Form A," could be used only if the "annual reporting amount" is 500 pounds or less and that the chemical was manufactured, processed or otherwise used in an amount not exceeding 1 million pounds during the reporting year.
- New Reporting Requirements for Dioxin and Dioxin-like Compounds: Beginning with Reporting Year 2008, facilities that file reports for the dioxin and dioxin-like compounds category may also need to file a "Form R Schedule 1." The Form R Schedule 1 requires the reporting of the individual grams data for each member of the dioxin and dioxin-like compounds category and is submitted in addition to the Form R. Facilities that have any of the information on different members of the category must submit a Form R Schedule 1 in addition to the Form R. Since the new form captures information on the individual members of the dioxin and dioxin-like compounds category, EPA has removed certain parts of the Form R that required the reporting of a single distribution of the members of the category.
Can the public suggest changes to the data?
The public can inquire about the data or suggest changes using the Integrated Error Correction Process (IECP). To access the IECP click the red button entitled "Report an Error" at the top of each Form R or Form A report.
Will data in the facility locator tool still function when the TRI National Analysis is published?
No. When the annual TRI National Analysis occurs, this locator tool will cease to function. It will be replaced with a Web page directing users to the standard TRI National Analysis files that will be available through TRI Explorer, Envirofacts, and the TRI Web site. These tools and Web sites will provide the public with facility and chemical-level information as well as trends and further analysis.
What guidance should the user be aware of when using TRI data?
Users of the preliminary 2008 TRI data should understand that this is not a complete dataset. The dataset will not be complete until all TRI facility reports have been processed through the TRI Reporting System. Currently, a number of facilities and their reporting forms are absent. Reports may be absent due to problems with electronic data submissions, delays in processing paper submissions, or possibly late receipt of submissions from reporting facilities. Users should also recognize that EPA data checks are still in progress. In addition, some data could change as a result of revised information provided by facilities after their initial submission. The dataset will be updated with additional information in August and September. Release of the 2008 TRI National Analysis in late 2009 will indicate that the dataset is complete.
In general, TRI data, in conjunction with other information, can be used as a starting point in evaluating exposures that may result from releases and other waste management activities that involve toxic chemicals. TRI data, whether made available through the facility locator tool or TRI National Analysis, have certain limitations. TRI data reflect releases and other waste management quantities of chemicals, not exposures of the public to those chemicals. The TRI does not cover all sources of releases and other waste management activities for toxic chemicals such as car emissions, for example. The TRI does not cover all toxic chemicals or industry sectors. TRI data alone are not sufficient to determine exposure or to calculate potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. For additional information on and assistance in using and interpreting TRI data, please refer to Factors to Consider When Using TRI Data (29 pp, 196KB, About PDF).
How do I find TRI information using this facility locator tool?
You can access Form R data by entering search criteria in the text boxes below. Searches can be based on a "Facility Name," a "TRI Facility Identifier" or components of a facility's address. Use the "Containing" or "Beginning With" buttons to specify partial "TRI Facility Identifiers" or "Facility Names." For example, to select data for all facilities that contain the text "INC," enter the string "INC" in the "Facility Name" box and click the "Containing" button below it.
Combinations of search elements may be used. For example, a "Facility Name," a "County" and a "State" can be used to narrow a search. Once the search criteria have been entered, click on the "Run Report" button.
A list of names and corresponding TRI Facility Identifiers for all facilities having values similar to that of the search criteria will be displayed. By clicking on the "TRI Facility Identifier" in that list you will obtain a list of chemicals that were reported by that Facility. Click on a chemical name in that list to view a facsimile of the Form R or Form A Certification Statement submitted for that chemical. Form R or Form A Certification Statement submitted for that chemical.
The standard form that facilities use to report toxic chemical releases, transfers and source reduction activities to the Toxics Release Inventory program. For more information see the "Reporting Forms and Instructions" and the downloadable copy of the Form R.
Form A Certification Statement
As a result of the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, the use of a Form A Certification Statement by facilities (in lieu of a Form R) has changed. The act has returned TRI reporting requirements to the rules in effect prior to December 22, 2006. All reports of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals including dioxins must be submitted on a "Form R," the more detailed form. For all other chemicals the shorter form, "Form A" may be used if the "annual reporting amount" is 500 pounds or less and the chemical was manufactured, processed or otherwise used in an amount not exceeding 1 million pounds during the reporting year.
For more information see the "Reporting Forms and Instructions" and the downloadable copy of the Form A.