E.P.A. delivers 2006 CNMI Toxics Release Inventory data

Reports rank CNMI among the very lowest in toxic delivers

(02/21/08) HONOLULU - 4 facilities in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) reported a total of 6,779 pounds of toxic chemicals released into the air, land and water 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.

Reported delivers in CNMI increased 2,454 pounds in 2006, a 57 percent from 2005. Overall, CNMI ranks among the very lowest, 55 out of 56 states and territories, in total releases.

"TRI helps regulators, emergency responders, reporters, businesses and communities to better understand the types and amounts of chemicals released in our communities," said Wayne Nastri, the EPA's administrator for the Pacific Southwest region.

Some of the findings of interest at the countrywide level: 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.

CNMI FACILITIES REPORTING 2006 RELEASE INFORMATION TO TRI:
Hawaiian Rock Products Saipan
Mobil Oil Mariana Islands Inc./Saipan Aviation Terminal
Mobil Oil Mariana Islands Inc./Saipan Terminal
Shell Marianas

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