TRI Overview

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) tracks the management of more than 800 chemicals and chemical categories that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. U.S. facilities in certain industry sectors that manufacture, process, or otherwise use these chemicals in amounts above established levels must report how each chemical is managed through recycling, energy recovery, treatment, and environmental releases.  The information facilities submit to EPA is compiled annually as the Toxics Release Inventory or TRI.

Facilities that meet TRI reporting requirements must report their data by July 1 of each year.  In Envirofacts, TRI data are available for all facilities that have reported at least once since the program began in 1987.  EPA publishes the most recent data in late July and makes updates from August through October.  The TRI National Analysis report, which provides analyses and interpretations of the most recent data, is published early the following year.  More information on the TRI reporting cycle.

TRI information helps support informed decision-making by communities, government agencies, companies, and others. TRI data, along with other data sources, can be used as a starting point in evaluating potential human health impacts from industrial management of toxic chemicals.  More information on factors to consider before using TRI data 

Envirofacts has many tools for accessing and analyzing TRI data, including:

• TRI Explorer: Generate reports on releases, transfers, and waste managed that can be displayed by facility, chemical, geographic area, industry (NAICS code), reporting years, or mapped. Users may also generate state fact sheets.
• TRI Search: Find basic facility information and aggregate chemical data for any facility that has reported to EPA since 1987.
• TRI Form R Search: Review TRI information submitted on Form R.
• TRI Form R & A Download: Download specific TRI Form R and Form A data elements.
• TRI EZ Search: Create a report on a single subject area using a limited set of TRI data elements.
• TRI Customized Search: Create a tailored query/report on multiple subject areas using the most comprehensive set of TRI data elements.