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Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program

2007 TRI Public Data Release

EPA released the 2007 TRI Data on March 19th, 2009. This Web page provides an overview of the 2007 TRI data and relevant TRI information (including analyses, tables, charts, maps, etc.) To fully understand the TRI data, we recommend that you read all of the materials.

What is the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and what do the data show for 2007?

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) is a database containing detailed information on nearly 650 chemicals and chemical categories that approximately 22,000 industrial and federal facilities manage through disposal or other releases, or recycling, energy recovery, or treatment. This inventory was established under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA) and expanded by the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990.

For 2007, 21,996 facilities, including federal facilities, reported to the TRI Program. They reported 4.1 billion pounds of on-site and off-site disposal or other releases of the almost 650 toxic chemicals, as shown in Table 1. Almost 87% of the total was disposed of or otherwise released on-site; 13% was sent off-site for disposal. Metal mining facilities reported 28% and electric utilities reported 25% of the total in 2007, in the 2007 PDR Brochure.

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What materials are available?

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How can I obtain the full data set for my state?

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What about facility data errors?

We check facilities' reports for data quality. When we find a potential error, we notify the facility. However, we cannot correct a reporting error in the TRI database until the facility sends us a certified revision or withdrawal. As you use TRI data, be aware that the database may reflect uncorrected facility reporting errors. In addition, as TRI incorporates revisions sent in by facilities, data for prior years may change. The 2007 TRI Public Data Release includes updated, revised databases for all prior years so that prior year information may differ from data accessed previously.

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Anything else new this year?

  • Voluntarily Submitted Source Reduction and Recycling Information. Excel Speardsheet (3.44MB)

EPA is making it easier to access data from facilities about their source reduction, recycling and pollution control activities. The data was voluntarily submitted by facilities though TRI-ME in Section 8.11 on Form R in addition to other required data entries regarding source reduction, recycling and pollution control activities as provided in the Pollution Prevention Act. This additional optional information describes activities implemented during the reporting year, as well as in prior years. EPA did not review the data to verify or evaluate the activities. You can download a free Excel software viewer Exit EPA Disclaimer to open the file.

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Are online tools available?

  • TRI Explorer -- This on-line tool generates reports based on facilities, chemicals, geographic areas, or industry type (NAICS code) at the county, state, and national level. It provides information for on- and off-site disposal or other releases, transfers off-site, and other waste management data (i.e., recycling, energy recovery, treatment, and quantities released).
  • Envirofacts -- EPA created the Envirofacts Warehouse to provide the public with direct access to information contained in its databases on Air, Chemicals, Facility Information, Grants/Funding, Hazardous Waste, Risk Management Plans, Superfund, Toxic Releases, etc.

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What other information should I consider when using TRI data to assess releases in my neighborhood?

Release estimates alone are not sufficient to determine exposure or to calculate potential risks to human health and the environment. TRI data, in conjunction with other information, such as the toxicity of the chemical, the release medium (e.g., air), and site-specific conditions, can be used as a starting point in evaluating exposures that may result from releases of toxic chemicals.

  • Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) -- The Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) contains summaries of hazard assessments and EPA regulatory information on over 500 specific chemicals. It is a key source for descriptive and quantitative hazard/risk information, such as oral reference doses and inhalation reference concentrations for chronic, non-carcinogenic health effects; oral slope factors and unit risk for chronic exposure to carcinogens; EPA drinking water health advisories; and summaries of EPA regulatory actions. The system is useful in the risk assessment process.
  • The National Library of Medicine (NLM) TOXNET System Exit EPA Disclaimer -- NLM's TOXNET System makes TRI data and health information accessible to concerned citizens and to businesses and organizations interested in environmental or public health issues. TOXNET offers state-of-the-art, user-friendly, on-line searching.
  • Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) -- RSEI is a screening tool that compares toxic chemicals released to the environment from industrial sources. You can examine rankings and trends, and set priorities for further action. Information can be sorted in numerous ways such as by chemical, media, geographic areas, etc.
  • Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds TEQ Data Exit EPA Disclaimer -- provided by Chlorine Chemistry Council (CCC).
  • ATSDR ToxFAQs(TM) Exit EPA Disclaimer -- ToxFAQs(TM), produced by The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is a series of summaries about hazardous substances being developed by the ATSDR Division of Toxicology. Information for this series is excerpted from the ATSDR Toxicological Profiles and Public Health Statements. Each fact sheet serves as a quick and easy to understand guide. Answers are provided to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about exposure to hazardous substances found around hazardous waste sites and the effects of exposure on human health.
  • New Jersey Hazardous Substances Fact Sheets Exit EPA Disclaimer -- Fact sheets for 1,234 individual hazardous chemicals that include information relating to acute and chronic health hazards, identification, workplace exposure limits, medical tests, handling and storage, definitions, emergency response information for fires, spills and first aid, and other information.

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