E.P.A. delivers 2006 American Samoa Toxics Release Inventory data

American Samoa reports the least amount of toxic delivers of any state or territory in the nation

(02/21/08) HONOLULU - A facility in American Samoa reported a total of 5 pounds of toxic chemicals released into the air in 2006, 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 delivers 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.

The only facility reporting is Star-Kist Samoa with 5 pounds in air releases. Overall, American Samoa ranks the very lowest in total delivers from 56 states and territories.

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

Some findings of interest nationally for 2006:
* Total disposal and other delivers are down 2 percent from last year.
* Combined air delivers of TRI chemicals are down 7 percent.
* Total disposal and other delivers of mercury to all media combined increased 17 percent. However, air delivers of mercury are down 4 percent.
* From 2001-2006, total delivers reported to TRI decreased by 24 percent.

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.

For more information on TRI see: http://www.epa.gov/triexplorer/ and http://www.epa.gov/enviro. State fact sheets are accessible at: http://www.epa.gov/triexplorer/statefactsheet.htm.

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