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Information Needed for Reporting

Each reporting authority requests slightly different information about reported releases. When reporting under these standards, try to include as much of the requested information as you have available.

National Response Center (NRC)

When reporting a release, the person making the report should provide as much of the following information as possible:

  • Name, address, and telephone number of the person reporting and the responsible party;
  • Specific location of the incident;
  • Date and time the incident occurred or was discovered;
  • Name of the material released;
  • Source and cause of the release;
  • Total quantity discharged;
  • Medium into which the substance was discharged;
  • Amount spilled into water;
  • Weather conditions;
  • Name of the carrier or vessel, the railcar/truck number, or other identifying information;
  • Number and type of injuries or fatalities;
  • Whether an evacuation has occurred;
  • Estimation of the dollar amount of property damage;
  • Description of current and future cleanup actions; and
  • Other agencies notified or about to be notified.

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Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Releases

EPCRA section 304(b)(1) directs that notice include the following information, if known, and if inclusion will not cause a delay in responding to the emergency:

  • Chemical name or identity of the released substance(s);
  • Whether the substance is an Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS);
  • Estimate of the quantity of the substance released;
  • Time and duration of the release;
  • Media into which the release occurred;
  • Associated health risks and medical attention necessary for exposed individuals;
  • Precautions to take due to the release; and
  • Name and telephone number of contact person for further information.

As soon as practicable after this initial notice, EPCRA section 304(c) requires the facility owner or operator to submit written follow-up notices providing and updating the initial notice's information and including additional information regarding response actions taken, any known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks associated with the release, and, where appropriate, advice on medical attention for exposed individuals.

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Continuous Releases

A continuous release is a release that occurs without interruption or abatement or that is routine, anticipated, and intermittent and incidental to normal operations or treatment processes. There are four steps in the continuous release notification process: (1) initial telephone notification (to the NRC, State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), and Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC); (2) initial written notifications to the appropriate EPA Regional Office (within 30 days of the initial telephone notification); (3) follow-up written reports; and (4) change notifications. Details on the information required are found in 40 CFR 302.8. Additional information on reduced reporting for continuous releases is available.

The person in charge is required to provide the following information in the initial telephone notification:

  • Statement that this is an initial telephone notification of a continuous release;
  • Name and location of the facility or vessel responsible for the release; and
  • Name and identity of each hazardous substance released.

The initial written notification must include the following types of information:

  • General information on the facility or vessel, and the area surrounding the facility or vessel; and
  • Source information, including the identity of each release source, the names and quantities of the hazardous substances released from each source, the basis for stating that the release qualifies as continuous and stable in quantity and rate, the environmental medium affected by the release, the normal range of the release from the source, and the frequency of the release from each source.

The information required in the written follow-up report is identical to that required in the initial written notification, but it is based on release data gathered over the year (i.e., during the period since the submission of the initial written report). If there are any changes in a continuous release, the EPA Regional Office must be notified. If there is a change in the source or composition of a continuous release, the release is considered a "new" release.


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