EPA has published two final rules that lowered the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting thresholds for certain persistent bioaccumulative toxic (PBT) chemicals and added certain other PBT chemicals to the TRI list of toxic chemicals. These PBT chemicals are of particular concern not only because they are toxic but also because they remain in the environment for long periods of time, are not readily destroyed, and build up or accumulate in body tissue.

PBT Chemicals Final Rule

• PBT Final Rule Fact Sheet
• PBT Final Rule Summary
• PBT Final Rule - October 29, 1999 (PDF) (88 pp, 789 K)
• PBT Chemicals List

PBT Chemical Guidance Documents for Reporting Facilities

The TRI Program provides guidance documents to assist facilities with the reporting of lead and lead compounds, mercury and mercury compounds, dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, polycyclic aromatic compounds, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and pesticides.

Additional Federal Register Notices Related to the PBT Rule

• Notice of Availability and Clarification of Proposed Rule - February 23, 1999 (PDF) (4 pp, 161 K)
• Proposed Rule - January 5, 1999 (PDF) (42 pp, 431 K)
• Lead and Lead Compounds Final Rule - January 17, 2001 (PDF) (48 pp, 382 K)