TRI Photo Storybook

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) fotonovela is an introduction to TRI that EPA produced as part of the TRI Community Engagement Initiative. It reflects input provided by residents of Jurupa Valley, California. A fotonovela is a small pamphlet that uses photographs and dialogue bubbles to depict a story in Spanish. 

 
A playground and sport fields abutting a grouping of buildings with smokestacks.

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The Diaz Family and Neighbors.

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Brothers Julio and Johnny kick a soccer ball together while walking with their father, Cesar, in the park.

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Rosie, the boy’s mother, congratulates them on their game. Julio says “Thanks, it was a hard game. I’m pretty hungry now!”

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Rosie says, “Don’t worry, Julio, we have lots of food here for you and your team.” Julio asks, “Hey, Mom?” Rosie responds “Yes, Julio?”

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Julio, pointing, asks Rosie, “Who lives there? That’s the biggest chimney I have ever seen!”

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Johnny says, “That’s not a house, silly. It’s a factory.” Julio asks Johnny, “Why does a factory need a chimney?”

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Cesar explains, “It’s called a smokestack, son. Smoke, steam, or even toxic chemicals can come out of smokestacks and go up into the air.”

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Dolores says, "Rosie, do you wonder what's coming out of that smokestack?" Rosie says, "Yes, I do. This soccer field is super close to the factory and I worry about the safety of the kids."

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Rosie responds, “I wish there was something I could do to learn more about that factory and other ones around here, but I don’t know where to start.”

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Dolores says, “It seems like we should have the right to know about toxic chemicals coming out of factories in our neighborhood”.

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Miguel says “Hi, how is everybody? You know, I work at that factory! There is a law that says that certain factories must tell us about how much pollution they are creating. They must also tell us about what types of chemicals they are producing and sendi

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Julio says, “But I don’t see any smoke coming out of that smokestack.”

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Miguel says, “You don’t have to see smoke. Some chemicals come out as fumes that you can’t see ...and others come out and spread into the water and onto land.”

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Rosie asks, “But how can we find out about the toxic chemicals that come out of the factory?” Miguel: “From a website run by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called TRI! TRI stands for “Toxics Release Inventory.” Congress created the TRI in the

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Miguel says, “I can show you on my smartphone right here. You can look it up on a computer too. Look, all I do is go to www.epa.gov/tri, scroll to the bottom of the page, and I can type in our street address or search using our current location."”

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Miguel's phone is open to the EPA website, he explains, 'Look, all I do is type in www.epa.gov/tri, scroll to the bottom and then type in our street address, and we'll see which factories around here reported toxic chemical releases.' Rosie says, 'Wow!'

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Rosie answers “Well, it says here the factory released 800 pounds of one chemical to the air and 450 pounds of another chemical into the water.”

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Miguel explains, “Yes, that's true, but there are lots of environmental laws that factories must follow to control their toxic chemical releases and to protect the environment. It shows here on my phone what EPA is doing to make sure that factories are following the law. Even if a factory is doing what the law says it has to do, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't ask questions. We can work with our neighbors to encourage factories like that one to do more to protect the envrionment.”

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Julio asks, "Why does that factory use all those chemicals in the first place?" Miguel says, “Factories use chemicals to make cars, refrigerators, computers, and other things that we use every day."

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Lupe asks, "Miguel, won't those chemicals make the kids sick?" Miguel answers, "Well, TRI tells us a lot about chemicals that come out of many factories. This is very important. But, it can't tell us if those chemicals enter our bodies or cause health problems. That would require more information."

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Miguel says, "The TRI website at www.epa.gov/tri can point you to where you can learn more about toxic chemicals, pollution, and human health." Lupe asks, "How come I don't see anything about all the smelly trucks passing by here when I look up TRI information?"

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Miguel responds "TRI doesn't cover all types of pollution."

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Miguel responds, “For example, you won’t find information in TRI about pollution from cars and trucks, gas stations, and lead paint in homes. But TRI can help us find out a lot about pollution from many factories. It can also tell us whether or not they are trying to prevent or reduce their pollution.”

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Rosie says, “Thanks, Miguel. I’m going to use a computer at the library to learn more about this.” Johnny adds, “We can talk to my science teacher too. She knows a lot about environmental issues and she runs an environmental group in town.”

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“Carla at the health department is also very helpful, and she knows lots of people at other local and state agencies who can help answer your questions.” Julio says, “Yes, having this information is so important. And it’s our RIGHT TO KNOW!”

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Lupe agrees and jokes, “It’s also my right to eat! Ok, everybody, let’s have lunch. Our food is getting cold!!!”

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Use this link to report a suspected violation of environmental laws and regulations: https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations
 

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Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program

TRI Program Contacts
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Last updated on December 6, 2024