Toxic Release Data Accessible to the Public Earlier Than ever

(Washington, D.C. _ February 21, 2008) Information on the 2006 reporting year is now accessible as part of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) database. Today marks the earliest release of the data in the 20-year history of the program. Enhancements in electronic reporting and data processing have made this possible. Nation-wide chemical delivers into the environment are down by 2 percent from 2005.

"Citizens have information about hundreds of chemicals at their finger tips and, we're getting that information to them faster than ever with Enhancements made in electronic reporting, data processing, and analysis," said EPA's Chief Information Officer, Molly O'Neill. "Making the public aware of this inventory of delivers is a powerful tool for reducing pollution. From 2001 to 2006 we have seen a 24 percent decrease in total releases."

The TRI is an on-line electronic database, housing information about chemical delivers at facilities across the country. TRI tracks and contains detailed information on delivers of nearly 650 chemicals and chemical categories from about 23,000 industrial and federal facilities. The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 established the TRI program. In 1990, The Pollution Prevention Act expanded the plan by including data on toxic chemicals released, as well as treated, recycled, and burned for energy recovery.

E.P.A. has been providing information to the public about chemical delivers into the air, water and land at facilities nation-wide. This information is getting to the public earlier and faster than ever and is accessible by geographic location, industry sector, and individual chemicals.

Information about the 2006 reporting year is accessible at: http://epa.gov/tri/tridata/tri06/index.htm

General information about TRI is accessible at: www.epa.gov/tri

A brochure that provides an overview of the 2006 data is accessible at: http://epa.gov/tri/tridata/tri06/brochure/brochure.htm

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