E.P.A. Reinstates Toxics Release Inventory Reporting Requirements for Hydrogen Sulfide

WASHINGTON - The E.P.A. (EPA) is announcing that it is reinstating Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting requirements for hydrogen sulfide. This action is part of Administrator Lisa P. Jackson's ongoing efforts to provide Americans with helpful information on chemicals they may encounter in their daily lives.

TRI is a publicly accessible database that contains information on toxic chemical delivers and waste management activities reported annually by certain industries and federal facilities. The purpose of today's action is to better inform the public about toxic chemical delivers in their communities and to provide the government with information for research and the potential development of regulations.

Hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally in crude petroleum, natural gas, volcanic gases, and hot springs. It can also result from the breakdown of organic matter, and is produced by human and animal wastes. Hydrogen sulfide can also result from industrial activities, such as food processing, coke ovens, kraft paper mills, tanneries, and petroleum refineries. Individuals living near a wastewater treatment plant, a gas and oil drilling operation, a farm with manure storage or livestock confinement facilities, or a landfill may be exposed to higher levels of hydrogen sulfide.

Hydrogen sulfide was added to the TRI list of toxic chemicals in a final rule published on December 1, 1993. However, on August 22, 1994, E.P.A. suspended the TRI reporting requirements for hydrogen sulfide in order to address issues that were raised by members of the regulated community regarding the information used to support the original listing decision. On February 26, 2010, E.P.A. published a Federal Register document that provided the public with the opportunity to review on EPA's review of the currently accessible data on the human health and environmental effects of hydrogen sulfide. After consideration of public comments, E.P.A. has concluded that the reporting requirements for hydrogen sulfide should be reinstated.

This action will be effective for the 2012 TRI reporting year. The 1st reports for the 2012 TRI reporting year are due from facilities by July 1, 2013.

More information on TRI: http://www.epa.gov/tri

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