E.P.A. analysis shows decrease in toxic delivers across Midwestern states

No. 10-OPA 154

Chicago (Dec. 20, 2010) -- E.P.A. has updated its yearly analysis of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), which provides vital information about pollution to the people of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. The analysis for these 6 states, which comprise E.P.A. Region 5, is part of the Agency's national TRI announcement.

For the 1st time, the 2009 TRI highlights toxic delivers in large aquatic ecosystems including the Great Lakes, urban areas including Chicago, and tribal lands. In addition, portions of the analysis are accessible in Spanish.

"EPA's TRI provides up-to-date information that people can easily access to find out about the sources and quantities of toxic substances released in their communities," said Regional Administrator Susan Hedman.

In 2009, in excess of 511 million pounds of toxic chemicals were released into the environment in the 6 states located in Region 5. Compared to 2008 data, regional delivers to the air were down 20 percent, on-site delivers to surface water were down 24 percent and on-site delivers to land were down 33 percent. In excess of 5,000 facilities in Region five report their chemical delivers by July one of each year.

See Region five state fact sheets at: http://www.epa.gov/triexplorer/statefactsheet.htm

See Chicago data at: http://www.epa.gov/tri/tridata/tri09/nationalanalysis/tri-urban-comm-chicago.html

See large aquatic ecosystems (Great Lakes) data at: http://www.epa.gov/tri/tridata/tri09/nationalanalysis/tri-lae-great-lakes.html

More information on the 2009 TRI analysis is at: http://www.epa.gov/tri/

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