E.P.A. delivers 2005 nationwide Toxics Release Inventory numbers. American Samoa reports decrease of 100 percent, ranks last in total delivers

(03/22/07) HONOLULU - A facility in American Samoa reported a total of five pounds of toxic chemicals released into the air, land and water in the year 2005, according to new data released today by the E.P.A..

The data comes from the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory, an yearly measure of toxic chemical releases, transfers and waste generated by facilities in the United States. Total delivers include toxic chemicals discharged to air, water, underground injection, land (including landfills), and the amount transferred off-site for disposal. Data provided does not mean that facilities with elevated levels are out of compliance with state, local or federal environmental regulations.

There was a reported decrease in all reporting areas at one facility, Chicken of the Sea did not report in 2005. This resulted in a 100 percent decrease in total delivers in all reporting categories. The lone facility, Star-Kist Samoa reported a total of five pounds in air releases. Overall American Samoa ranks last in total delivers from states and territories.

"TRI is an important tool for regulators, emergency responders, businesses and communities because it helps them better understand and be aware of the types and amounts of chemicals being released in their neighborhoods," said Wayne Nastri, the EPA's administrator for the Pacific Southwest region. "We are pleased to report American Samoa has the least amount of delivers of any state or territory in the nation."

Nationally, the amount of toxic chemicals released into the environment increased by three percent from 2004.

The reporting of data to the Toxics Release Inventory is required under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, passed in 1986. This plan has been credited with arming communities with valuable knowledge and encouraging facilities to reduce their delivers of toxic chemicals into the environment through source reduction, or pollution prevention measures.

The following Web sites also provide useful information on TRI: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/ and
http://www.epa.gov/tri/tridata/tri05/index.htm

American Samoa Facility:
Star-Kist Samoa