In 1984 a deadly cloud of methyl isocyanate killed thousands of people in Bhopal, India. Shortly thereafter there was a serious chemical release at a sister plant in West Virginia. These incidents underscored demands by industrial workers and communities in several states for information on hazardous materials. Public interest and environmental organizations around the country accelerated demands for information on toxic chemicals being released "beyond the fence line" -- outside of the facility. Against this background, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) was enacted.

Free Publications, Guides and Data Related to TRI 

TRI Forms and Guidelines on how to file your company's report

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986

Hailed as one of the most potent pieces of environmental legislation in 20 years, EPCRA's primary purpose is to inform communities and citizens of chemical hazards in their areas. Sections 311 and 312 of EPCRA require businesses to report the locations and quantities of chemicals stored on-site to state and local governments. This helps communities prepare to respond to chemical spills and similar emergencies. The goal is to reduce risk for communities as a whole.

Through EPCRA, Congress mandated that a Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) be made public. TRI provides citizens with accurate information about potentially hazardous chemicals and their use so that communities have more power to hold companies accountable and make informed decisions about how toxic chemicals are to be managed.

Section 313 of EPCRA specifically requires manufacturers to report releases of more than 600 designated toxic chemicals to the environment. The reports are submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state governments. EPA compiles this data in an on-line, publicly accessible national computerized Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). This vast new source of data is indeed a powerful force for environmental improvement.

Link to the full text of EPCRA 

Who Must Report to TRI?

Manufacturing facilities and facilities added in 1998 that have the equivalent of 10 or more full-time employees and meet the established thresholds for manufacture, processing, or "otherwise use" of listed chemicals (i.e., manufactures or processes over 25,000 pounds of the approximately 600 designated chemicals or 28 chemical categories specified in the regulations, or uses more than 10,000 pounds of any designated chemical or category) must report their releases and other waste management quantities (including quantities transferred off-site for further waste management). Manufacturing facilities are defined as facilities in Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes 20-39, which include, among others: chemicals, petroleum refining, primary metals, fabricated metals, paper, plastics, and transportation equipment. Federal facilities have been required to report since 1994, regardless of their SIC classification.

In May 1997, EPA added seven new industry sectors that will report to the TRI for the first time in July 1999 for reporting year 1998. Thresholds for manufacturing and processing are currently 25,000 pounds for each listed chemical, while the threshold for otherwise using is 10,000 pounds per chemical. Beginning with the 1995 reporting year, certain facilities are able to take advantage of a burden-reducing reporting threshold.

TRI INFORMATION

The TRI database includes information on...

Link to TRI Data

Possible Actions by EPA to Expand the Reporting Universe
EPA is currently examining other industry sectors for potential addition to the TRI reporting scheme and intends to issue a proposal to add appropriate industries in 1996. EPA is also investigating the possibility of collecting chemical use information under TRI. This investigation is in the preliminary stages and EPA has not yet determined what, if any, data to collect.

A Public "Report Card"

POLLUTION PREVENTION AND TRI

With passage of the PPA, Congress adopted as national policy an environmental hierarchy that establishes pollution prevention as the first choice among waste management practices. For waste that cannot be avoided at the source, recycling is considered the next best option. A waste generator should turn to treatment or disposal only after source reduction and recycling have been considered.

Reporting requirements for TRI changed in 1991 as a result of the PPA. Prior to 1991, facilities were required to report toxic substances released into the environment and transferred offsite for treatmentor disposal. Beginning in 1991, facilities were also required to indicate amounts of chemicals that are recycled, used for energy recovery, and treated on-site. (Energy recovery means burning the chemical so that resulting heat energy contributes to subsequent manufacturing operations.) These amounts must be reported for the past year and the current year, as well as projected amounts for the next two years. Furthermore, facilities must indicate source reduction activities that have been implemented.

These changes to TRI will highlight the importance of pollution prevention and encourage reporting facilities to develop and implement strategies for reducing waste. This new information will also help the public gauge industry's commitment to improving the nation's environment. By working together, businesses and neighboring communities can build on emerging pollution prevention practices for everyone's benefit.