EPA-260-R-002-004 

May, 2003 

How Are the Toxics 

Release Inventory Data Used?

-- government, business, academic and citizen uses 

Toxics Release Inventory Program Division

Office of Environmental Information

Office of Information Analysis and Access

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Washington, DC

May 2003
Table of Contents

Foreword .................................................................... i

Introduction ..................................................................1

Public Use ...................................................................2

Citizens and Community Organizations ......................................3

National Organizations ...................................................5

Direct Negotiation .......................................................6

Environmental Justice ....................................................8

Industry Use ..................................................................9

Cost Reduction .........................................................9

Public Relations Tools ...................................................10

Public Disclosure .......................................................10

Government Use .............................................................11

Environmental Solutions .................................................11

Environmental Targeting .................................................12

Legislation and Regulations ...............................................13

Risk Assessment .......................................................13

Quality Assurance and Control ............................................14

Other Government Uses ..................................................14

International Right-to-Know ....................................................14

Investment ..................................................................15

Academic Use ...............................................................15

Research ..............................................................16

Classroom Use .........................................................17

Conclusions .................................................................17

Appendix A .................................................................18

Literature Cited ..............................................................60
Foreword 

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data are used in myriad ways. There are many uses 

of the TRI data that the authors of the legislation (the Emergency Planning and Community 

Right-to Know Act) mandating the TRI envisioned and many that they did not foresee. The 

Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 increased the types of data required to be reported to the TRI, 

which expanded the potential uses of the TRI. The combination of the types of data collected 

under TRI and the fact that they are made available to the public under EPCRA 313 makes TRI a 

powerful tool for many environmental analyses and understanding the many factors that 

contribute to human health and environmental conditions. 

The intent of this report is to provide the reader with an overview of the different ways 

in which the TRI data are used, and as such does not include a description of all programs, 

activities, and analyses that use the TRI data. The case studies that are presented in this report 

were gathered through literature searches and phone interviews. EPA does not support or 

condone any of the uses of the TRI data presented here; nor does it endorse any of the 

organizations that are discussed in the case studies. To learn more about TRI data and about 

EPA's annual Toxics Release Inventory Public Data Release (PDR), consult EPA's TRI website 

at <www.epa.gov/tri>. 

EPA is interested in learning of new uses of the TRI data. If you know of uses of the TRI 

data, particularly types of uses not covered in this document, and wish to share them, please send 

them to: 

Toxics Release Inventory Program Division (2844T)

United States Environmental Protection Agency

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20460

or via e-mail to: tri.us@epa.gov

i 
Introduction 

A chemical accident killed more than 2,000 people and injured hundreds of thousands of 

others in Bhopal, India, in December 1984. Coupled with similar, though less devastating, 

chemical accidents in the United States, the Bhopal incident greatly increased the public’s 

awareness of and concern about the dangers of chemicals used and released into communities. 

Consequently, in 1986, Congress passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right-toKnow Act (EPCRA) as a part of the Superfund reauthorization. EPCRA’s mandate is twofold: 

• promote contingency planning for chemical emergencies, and 

• provide the public with previously unavailable information about toxic and hazardous 

chemicals in their communities. 

Section 313 of EPCRA created the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), which requires 

companies within the manufacturing sector and federal facilities to report specified quantities of 

certain chemicals released from their facilities. In 1990, Congress passed the Pollution 

Prevention Act (PPA), which requires that facilities report to the TRI the quantities of toxic 

chemicals that they manage in waste and the types of pollution prevention (source reduction) 

activities they undertake. In 1998, the public gained access to data from additional industrial 

sectors. The other industries now required to report under EPCRA and the PPA include metal 

mining, coal mining, coal and oil burning electrical utilities, hazardous waste treatment and 

disposal facilities, chemicals distributors, petroleum bulk plants terminals, and solvent recycling 

operations. 

Under Section 313(h) of EPCRA, Congress clearly provides for the wide distribution of 

the industry information gathered: 

"The release forms required under this section are intended to provide information to the 

federal, state, and local governments and the public, including citizens of communities 

surrounding covered facilities. The release form shall inform persons about releases of toxic 

chemicals to the environment; to assist governmental agencies, researchers, and other persons in 

the conduct of research and data gathering; to aid in the development of appropriate regulations, 

guidelines, and standards; and for other similar purposes." Through their availability, TRI data 

have become a useful resource for many different organizations: 

• Communities use TRI data to begin dialogues with local facilities and to encourage them 

to reduce their emissions, develop pollution prevention (P2) plans, and improve safety 

measures. 

• Public interest groups, government, academicians, and others use TRI data to educate the 

public about toxic chemical emissions and potential risk. 

• Industry uses TRI data to identify P2 opportunities, set goals for toxic chemical release 

reductions, and demonstrate its commitment to and progress in reducing emissions. 

1
• Federal, state, and local governments use TRI data to set priorities and allocate 

environmental protection resources to the most pressing problems. 

• Regulators use TRI data to set permit limits, measure compliance with those limits, and 

target facilities for enforcement activities. 

• Public interest groups use TRI data to demonstrate the need for new environmental 

regulations or improved implementation and enforcement of existing regulations. 

• Investment analysts use TRI data to provide recommendations to clients seeking to make 

environmentally sound investments. 

• Insurance companies use TRI data as one indication of potential environmental liabilities. 

• Governments use TRI data to assess or modify taxes and fees based on toxic emissions or 

overall environmental performance. 

• Consultants and others use TRI data to identify business opportunities, such as marketing 

P2 and control technologies to TRI reporting facilities.1 

This document presents uses of TRI data in the following categories: public, industry, 

government, international, investment, and academic. Case studies were found primarily by 

consulting with EPA/TRI program representatives in the state and EPA regional offices, 

researching numerous literature sources, conducting internet searches and following up leads 

with phone interviews, mail and email correspondences with TRI data users. This document 

does not describe all of the many people, programs, and activities that use TRI data, but instead 

presents examples in each category. Appendix A provides additional examples. More case 

studies were found of TRI data use by individuals, community groups and environmental 

organizations than by private industries. 

Public Use 

Each year, the EPA makes TRI data 

available to the public on two Internet sites: 

TRI Explorer <www.epa.gov/triexplorer> 

and Envirofacts <www.epa.gov/enviro>. The 

EPA also provides summary national and 

state data in the annual publications Toxics 

Release Inventory: Public Data Release and 

Toxics Release Inventory: Public Data 

Release: State Fact Sheets. States also 

release their own reports. Community 

organizations, universities, local public 

interest organizations, national nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and workers and labor unions also conduct analyses and 

risk assessments based on TRI data. Some of these organizations also make data and analyses 

available to the public. 

The public can use TRI data to: 

• learn about their local environment 

and 

chemicals 

• participate in environmental 

decision-making 

• learn more about the environmental 

behavior of companies in 

communities to which they might 

consider moving. 

potential exposures to toxic 

2
Citizens and Community Organizations 

Citizen activists and community organizations educate their citizens or residents about 

toxic chemical releases using TRI data, often combining education with a call to action. Some 

community organizations have used TRI data to initiate discussions with local industries or to 

call on local and public interest organizations to lobby for their causes. Local public interest 

organizations improve citizen environmental awareness, encouraging them to become involved 

in the environmental health of their communities. Members of a local public interest 

organization can be of technical and legal help to citizens in the field of environmental 

negotiation. Examples of citizen activists and community interest organizations and the ways in 

which they use TRI data follow: 

• The Eugene Toxics Right-to-Know program, a local grassroots organization in Eugene, 

Oregon, used TRI as a model to develop the first city right-to-know program. This 

program gives citizens information about toxic material use and materials accounting 

information to the kilogram level. Voters adopted the program in 1996 as an amendment 

to the Eugene City Charter. A citizen initiative placed the amendment on the ballot. 

Previously, information concerning the use of hazardous substances in the community, 

and the releases of those substances into the local environment in particular, was not 

readily accessible to citizens under existing reporting regulations. Unlike other 

hazardous substance reporting programs, the Eugene charter amendment requires 

affected businesses to provide materials balance accounting. In other words, inputs and 

outputs of hazardous substances must be reported and must balance. These reports, 

required annually, are available in an accessible format at the Eugene Public Library. For 

more information, or to view the database, go to 

<www.ci.eugene.or.us/firedept/Toxics/toxicsb.htm>.

2 

• South Carolina Environmental Watch is an environmental organization that educates 

communities about toxic chemicals and their possible health effects. The organization 

presents TRI data to communities and discusses the potential effects of toxic chemical 

releases.3 

• The Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) was formed over a decade ago to 

educate and provide a voice for residents concerned about toxic chemical releases from 

local facilities. LEAN uses TRI data to help residents become aware of risks associated 

with toxic chemical releases and to facilitate discussions between communities and 

industries to evaluate the impact of those releases.4 LEAN “encourages community 

decision-making and legislative challenge in neighborhoods near toxic chemical sites. 

The organization locates waste disposal sites, dumps and industrial facilities that could 

potentially affect communities, and compiles TRI, accident release data, and state 

groundwater data on these types of sites. The resulting data compilations are then used 

as the spearhead of strategic campaigns directed at making changes at the legislative 

level.” LEAN publicizes its information in the form of “briefing books,” which it 

3
presents to members of the Louisiana House and Senate environmental committees. 

These reports “can be the starting points for change. The goal is to build a knowledge 

base for legislators and communities and to raise awareness of local environmental 

problems.... In one case, a briefing book was compiled for neighborhoods near a railroad 

switchyard, where leaking valves on the chemical transport cars stored there overnight 

were found to have contaminated groundwater. The chemicals included styrene, 

perchloroethylene, benzene, toluene, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorobutadiene, and vinyl 

chloride.”5 

• California facilities are required to develop and make public P2 plans under the state 

Hazardous Waste Source Reduction and Management Review. A community 

organization called “The Mothers of East Los Angeles of Santa Isabel” used TRI data to 

compare toxic chemical release estimates listed in P2 plans submitted by facilities to their 

actual estimated releases.6 

• The Oneida Environmental Resources Board in Wisconsin used TRI data to convince 

leaders of the Oneida Tribe to organize a conference on cleaner ways to manufacture 

pulp and paper. The Board used TRI data to show that the pulp and paper industry was 

the largest industrial source of toxic chemical releases in Wisconsin, despite industry 

claims that significant release reductions in the past made further improvements 

unnecessary. The conference improved industry awareness of more environmentally 

friendly practices and procedures. The Board also used TRI data to alert a local labor 

union about possible worker health risks. The union included requests for reductions in 

toxic chemical releases in its contract renewal negotiations.7 

• California’s Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition has used TRI data for over a decade. The 

Silicon Valley Environmental Index (The Index) <www.svep.org> shows “sustainability 

trends” in Santa Clara County, California. The Index provides information about, but not 

limited to, hazardous materials and air and water quality. At least five cities in Santa 

Clara County have referenced or relied on the Index as the basis for their "sustainable 

city" efforts or municipal environmental management system (EMS) initiatives. Privatesector companies, such as IBM and Philips Semiconductor, have also used the Index in 

evaluating their own EMS practices. Several universities have incorporated the Index 

into their environmental science course curricula. In addition, several states (Wisconsin, 

South Carolina, New Jersey) and countries (Germany and the Netherlands) have 

developed regional environmental indicators studies modeled after the Index.

8 

• Ms.Wilma Subra, a chemical research analyst in Louisiana, has been a vocal citizen 

leader and an active proponent of the TRI program for 20 years, working to change 

regulations and policies to improve public health and the environment at the local level.9 

Ms. Subra has informed residents about the possible effects of toxic chemical releases 

and has aided their work to improve environmental conditions. The TRI data support 

4
Ms. Subra’s efforts to reduce toxic chemical releases from Louisiana’s industrial 

facilities. Ms. Subra gathers and analyzes TRI data, distributes information to the public, 

participates in legal and regulatory processes against industrial facilities, and is a member 

of national and international advisory committees. 

National Organizations 

National organizations employ TRI data in many of the same ways as small community 

organizations, but on a larger scale. Such organizations analyze TRI data, use it to conduct risk 

screening and risk assessment, and often help the public interpret the data. National 

organizations often work with local public interest and community organizations to initiate 

discussions between citizens and industry. Some national organizations also use TRI data to 

help them lobby for changes in environmental policy. Examples of TRI data used by national 

organizations include the following: 

• Environmental Defense (ED) launched its Scorecard web site in1998 

<www.scorecard.org/>. The site’s “polluter locator” allows users to perform a search by 

ZIP code on a database containing information on more than 17,000 chemical-releasing 

facilities. The Scorecard also provides data on the health effects and regulatory status of 

different chemicals.10 The site correlates TRI chemical release data with U.S. Census 

demographic data. ED is currently linking TRI data with toxicological studies to create a 

Scorecard tool that compares the risks of different toxic chemical releases.11 Logging 

500,000 data requests on its first day of operation, the Scorecard web site has drawn 

significant public interest. 

• The Right-to-Know Network (RTKNet) web site <www.rtknet.org>, launched in 1989 by 

the nonprofit organizations OMB Watch and the Unison Institute, also facilitates public 

access to TRI data. Users can search the TRI data by ZIP code, city, county, state, year, 

or chemical. The web site also includes links to additional information about chemicals 

and right-to-know issues. RTKNet estimates that about a quarter of a million searches 

are performed on the site annually.12 

• The former Environmental Information Center conducted a study of the Great Lakes in 

1997. Scientists used TRI data to examine endocrine disrupters released in states 

bordering the Great Lakes. The study ranked the largest emitters of various classes of 

toxic chemicals by region, and found the Great Lakes region to be the nation’s top 

emitter of reportable endocrine disrupting chemicals.13 

• In September 2000, Physicians for Social Responsibility, along with the National 

Environmental Trust and the Learning Disabilities Association of America, released the 

report, “Polluting Our Future: Chemical Pollution in the U.S. that Affects Child 

Development and Learning” <www.psr.org/trireport.pdf>. This report used TRI and 

5
other data to present national information about releases of chemicals that present 

potential developmental and neurological risks. The report ranked states by their releases 

of these chemicals and included information about counties, industries, and facilities with 

the highest toxic chemical releases.14 

• Labor unions also have used TRI data to support demands for safer working conditions 

for employees. Other than citizens who live near facilities, employees of TRI reporting 

facilities are most at risk from toxic chemical releases because they are most likely to 

come in regular contact with these chemicals. Beginning in 1990, the International 

Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America 

(UAW) began training employees and managers of UAW companies to access, interpret, 

and utilize computer databases and programs in “critically assessing industrial emergency 

response activities at their facilities.” Workers were trained to download and interpret 

environmental compliance data. TRI data comprised one of the main sources of 

information for the program. Concerning TRI, the UAW stated, “knowing about 

maximum amounts on-site can help people prepare for a ‘worst-case scenario.’ It can 

help an emergency response planning group decide if there are enough response 

equipment and personnel to deal with an emergency involving the chemical(s) in 

question.”15 The UAW continues to provide potential risk information to workers 

regarding toxic chemical releases to the environment using TRI data. The UAW website 

provides links to EPA Envirofacts, and to the most recent TRI Data Release 

(<www.uaw.org/hs/at/index.html>). 

Direct Negotiation 

Through increasing their understanding of TRI data, members of the public can begin to 

understand potential risks associated with toxic chemical releases in their communities, and can 

work with facilities to reduce those risks. The nation’s first “right-to-act” law was enacted in 

September 1999 by the Passaic, N.J., Board of Chosen Freeholders, the county’s governing 

body. The law “allows neighbors and/or employees to petition the county health officer for 

creation of Neighborhood Hazard Prevention Advisory Committees (NHPACs) for specific 

facilities.”16 Even without the aid of this law, concerned citizens nationwide can take action in 

their own communities. Community organizations and citizen activists have used TRI data to 

negotiate with local facilities. Examples of direct negotiation agreements between citizens and 

facilities follow: 

• In the city of Richmond, California, community members were concerned about toxic 

chemical releases from several oil refineries and other large industrial facilities. The 

West County Toxics Coalition, a local environmental organization, joined with 

Communities for a Better Environment, a statewide environmental organization, to 

investigate industrial polluters in Richmond. Using the TRI and other databases, they 

published the report, Richmond at Risk, which identified the area’s 20 largest industrial 

polluters and named the Chevron oil refinery the number one polluter. The report served 

6
to initiate discussions among Chevron, the West County Toxics Coalition, and other 

community and environmental organizations. As a result of the meetings, the company 

agreed in 1994 to close down older portions of the plant and install P2 equipment to 

achieve zero net toxic chemical releases on its reformulated fuel project.17 

• The Calhoun County Resource Watch (CCRW), founded by a Texas environmental 

activist and shrimper named Ms. Dianne Wilson, used TRI data to build community 

awareness about pollution of the rich shrimp and oyster breeding grounds of Lavaca Bay 

on the Gulf of Mexico18. Calhoun County was ranked first in the nation for toxic 

chemical disposal to the land, based on the 1987 TRI data. Lavaca Bay was designated 

as a Superfund site in 1993. CCRW brought suit against the Aluminum Company of 

America (Alcoa) related to this pollution. In 1995 Alcoa signed an agreement designed 

to protect the breeding grounds.19 Two Alcoa firms, a chemical plant and a bauxite 

refinery, committed to “fund independent review of zero discharge options and to adopt 

the technologies where technically, economically, and environmentally sound.”20 In 

return, CCRW agreed to drop its legal challenges and suspend permit interventions 

against the companies. According to an Alcoa Operations Manager, as of March 2000 

the company had made considerable progress toward the goals set in 1995, including 

compliance with a permit that sets the “allowed total annual maximum mass loading 

mercury limit” at 30 pounds, development and implementation of a Best Management 

Practices plan, and installation of an “evaporative spray and dust control system” near the 

refinery.21 

• In 1998, Butler County, PA, warned pregnant women and infants against drinking water 

from Connoquenessing Creek due to high levels of nitrates in the water. In its report, the 

Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group (PennPIRG) used TRI data to highlight the 

significant quantities of nitrate compounds being released into the creek.22 The report 

identified the major source of the nitrates as the AK Steel Corporation. TRI data showed 

that the company had discharged approximately 29 million pounds of nitrates into the 

creek in 1997 and 32 million pounds in 1998. This report and several newspaper articles 

about these toxic chemical releases prompted the state to commit to reduce the levels of 

nitrates that AK Steel is permitted to release into the creek.23 Pennsylvania began 

developing a new water permit to reduce allowable nitrate releases to a level 90 percent 

lower than the previous level. In June 2000, EPA issued an emergency order requiring 

AK Steel to significantly reduce the nitrate compounds it discharges into 

Connoquenessing Creek. In addition, AK Steel was required to provide and pay for an 

alternative water source for the affected public on any day that the local water plant could 

not meet the federal maximum nitrate contaminant standard. 

• Working with The Ecology Center, a public interest organization based in Ann Arbor, 

Michigan, residents of the town of Flat Rock used TRI data to obtain a commitment from 

Auto Alliance International to enact an aggressive solvent reduction program. TRI data 

7
showed that the company’s air releases of toluene had increased from 100,000 pounds in 

1991 to 800,000 pounds in 1993, along with an increase in noxious odors in the 

community. A former Ecology Center staff member, Andrew Cormai, said, “[R]esidents 

who have put up with the smells since 1987 suddenly have a bone to pick with the 

company. The company is going to be saving some money by recapturing solvents, and 

they will be improving community air quality.”24 

Environmental Justice 

The goal of environmental justice is to ensure that all people, regardless of race, national 

origin, or income, are protected from disproportionate impacts and environmental hazards. “The 

concept [of environmental justice] addresses evidence [that] in some parts of the nation, poor and 

minority communities live closer to factories, highways and airports and are exposed to more 

pollution and noise and generally more environmental risks than the population at large.”25 TRI 

data have proved to be an important tool in environmental justice. Communities that were once 

uninformed about the toxic chemical releases in their area now have access to that information. 

Examples of TRI data use in environmental justice activities include: 

• Two areas of Louisiana have become focal points for environmental justice efforts: the 

Mississippi River corridor, popularly known as “Cancer Alley,” and the Lake Charles 

region. Local groups have used TRI data to illustrate the high toxic chemical release 

rates in these areas compared to those in other regions.26 Several small communities have 

confronted industrial facilities about their toxic chemical releases and possibly related 

health effects. One illustrative dispute arose in Mossville, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, 

where some residents suspected that poor health in their community was due to the 

activities of 17 industrial facilities located within one half-mile of the community. Their 

concerns prompted numerous public interest organizations to collaborate on the report, 

Breathing Poison: The Toxic Costs of Industries in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The 

2000 report used TRI data and information from the Scorecard web site to convey the 

health risks to which the community might be exposed, and stated the need for “pollution 

reduction, environmental health services, and a fair and just relocation for consenting 

residents.”27 

• The Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) works with Asian and Pacific 

Islander communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. APEN created a series 

of maps that combined TRI and demographic data, to show that many poor Asian and 

Pacific Islanders live in “toxic hot spots.” The maps increased awareness among 

community members about both their environment and environmental justice issues. 

APEN might add more environmental, health, and demographic information, and expand 

its mapping work to other nearby counties.28 

• The Los Angeles chapter of Communities for a Better Environment used TRI data to help 

8
ensure that the communities it serves would not be exposed to higher environmental risks 

as a result of poverty or ethnicity. In one project, the organization combined 1996 TRI 

data with GIS mapping data to show that 80 to 100 percent of facilities that release toxic 

chemicals in Los Angeles County were located in areas where a large majority of the 

residents were people of color. These findings led to the report, Holding Our Breath – 

the Struggle for Environmental Justice in Southeast Los Angeles.29 

Industry Use 

Although Congress intended the public to be the primary audience for TRI data, the TRI 

has also benefitted industries. 

Cost Reduction 

A primary goal of ISO 14000 (International Organization for Standardization's standards 

on environmental management) was to bring environmental issues to the attention of the highest 

levels of corporate management. Leaving decision-making to environmental managers alone 

might not produce the corporate commitment necessary to achieve the best success.30 TRI data 

have been used as evidence to convince high-level management of the need for an 

Environmental Management System (EMS). In turn, the proactive environmental protection 

afforded by an EMS can reduce corporate costs. 

For some industries, the creation of the TRI marked the first time that company managers 

and operators could look closely at the quantity of chemicals being released from their facilities. 

Initially, some companies expressed surprise 

at their own toxic chemical release amounts 

and set goals to improve their environmental 

performance. Some companies have reduced 

their toxic chemical releases and increased 

their efficiency at the same time, leading to 

an increased profit. Examples of ways that 

industry has used TRI data to reduce costs 

follow: 

• At the1997 EPA Toxics Release 

Inventory and Right-to-Know 

Conference, John Pine provided 

examples of how TRI information has helped companies develop waste reduction 

strategies. For example, Marathon Oil installed a thermal desorption unit to process oily 

waste and recovered over 120,000 barrels of oil and the Georgia Gulf Corporation 

relocated a methanol stripper purge line that resulted in the recovery of 9,300 gallons of 

Industry can work with TRI data to: 

• improve internal auditing 

• stimulate more efficient use of 

chemicals by identifying material 

losses 

• provide a template for 

environmental reporting under ISO 

14000. 

9
methanol that previously underwent biological waste treatment.31 

• The Haartz Corporation, located in Acton, Massachusetts, makes coated fabrics used in 

automobiles. The firm once used 800,000 pounds per year of methyl ethyl ketone 

(MEK), a solvent that can cause dizziness, nausea, or unconsciousness when inhaled.32 

In 1987, when Haartz was preparing its first TRI report, the company installed a new 

emissions control system to capture and recycle MEK. TRI data enabled Haartz Corp. to 

track the association between reduced toxic chemical releases and reduced costs. 

According to the Haartz environmental manager, the company’s “emissions have stayed 

pretty flat” despite its “double-digit sales growth” between 1993 and 1998. In addition, 

reducing its MEK releases saved Haartz an estimated $200,000 annually.33 

Public Relations Tools 

Demonstrating environmental progress has become a selling point for industries, and 

many company web sites now include an environmental report. Examples of positive 

environmental marketing include: 

• The Boeing Company posts TRI release data on its web site and uses the information to 

track the company’s environmental progress. The web site noted that overall toxic 

chemical releases have decreased by more than 82 percent since 1991, and that “Boeing 

continues to invest and innovate in pollution prevention programs and find new ways to 

get greater leverage for current emission reduction programs.”34 

• Monsanto’s similar web site provides both current and past TRI information on 

consolidated chemical releases and transfers from Monsanto facilities. The web site also 

includes data about carbon dioxide releases, priority on-site toxic chemical releases, 

compliance penalties, chemical spills, Superfund sites, safety, and compliance.35 

Public Disclosure 

Companies can use TRI data to “obtain an overview of the release and management of 

toxic chemicals, to identify P2 and release reduction targets, and to measure progress toward 

these goals. The publicity that has resulted from the availability of TRI data has prompted many 

facilities to pledge toxic chemical release reductions, and to work with communities to develop 

effective strategies for reducing environmental and human health risks.”36 For example, the 

Iowa Association of Business and Industry organized a community-wide pollution prevention 

initiative in the Des Moines-Polk County area. The organization adopted a goal of a 60 percent 

reduction of all TRI chemicals by 1992 and a 70 percent reduction by 1995. 37 

10
Government Use 

Environmental Solutions 

Government agencies can take a variety of actions when TRI data reveal an 

environmental problem in a specific state or region. Some of these actions involve voluntary 

incentive programs for companies. Although these programs are not binding commitments, they 

offer good publicity for participating companies. Examples include: 

• Governor Frank O’Bannon of Indiana announced the Indiana Governor’s Toxics 

Reduction Challenge in 1998. The challenge pledged to “support the state's goal to 

reduce toxic chemical releases to the air and water from 1995 levels: 50% by December 

31, 2000, in large urban areas for carcinogens and persistent bioaccumulative toxic 

chemicals; 60% by December 31, 2002 statewide for these chemicals; and, 50% by 

December 31, 2002, statewide for all toxic chemicals reported in the Toxics Release 

Inventory.” The Challenge also pledged to “energetically help the state reach these goals 

through efforts emphasizing pollution prevention within your organization and/or in 

cooperation with other organizations.” As of mid-April 2000, 67 companies in Indiana 

had committed to the Challenge. A list of the companies and an update on their progress 

is available on the Indiana state web site <www.in.gov/idem/oppta/p2/toxicchallenge/>.38 

• The EPA “33/50 Program” targeted 17 priority TRI chemicals for 33 percent and 50 

percent reductions from 1988 release levels, to be attained by 1992 and 1995, 

respectively. More than 1,200 companies nationwide joined the Program, which 

provided several forms of recognition to participating companies. The Program reached 

both its interim 33 percent reduction goal and its final 50 percent reduction goal one year 

early. 

• The P2 Program of the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment used 

TRI data, in combination with other data about hazardous waste and toxic chemical 

releases to air and water, to identify the ten industry organizations responsible for the 

largest quantities of hazardous waste generation or toxic chemical releases in the state. 

This research served as the basis for establishing priorities for P2 activities and for 

distribution of technical assistance grants. The report also aided in targeting large 

companies for participation in the “Governor’s P2 Challenge Program” to reduce toxic 

chemical releases and hazardous waste generation.39 

• Due to the new TRI reporting requirements for dioxin, the Delaware Department of 

Natural Resources and Environmental Control became aware of dioxin-tainted waste at 

DuPont’s Edge Moor, DE titanium dioxide (TiO[2]) plant. Subsequently, DuPont agreed 

to pay an estimated $15 million to remediate dioxin-tainted waste at this facility. DuPont 

discovered that the waste sludge was contaminated with dioxin while the company was 

11
preparing to comply with EPA's requirement that dioxin releases be reported under TRI. 

In addition, DuPont agreed with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and 

Environmental Control to spray a 23-acre stretch along the Delaware River with a starchlike coating to keep the dioxin from being stirred up by the wind or eroding into the river. 

DuPont used the site to store waste sludge from the Edge Moor plant. The company will 

also close four sludge lagoons near the plant and plans to cut dioxin formation in half by 

2003 and by 90 percent by 2007. 

Environmental Targeting 

Budgets to fund environmental programs and measures often do not increase in 

proportion to the need for these activities. Environmental targeting initiatives, such as those 

listed below, help governments and communities prioritize their needs and ensure that their 

resources are used most efficiently. 

• The P2 Division in Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources used TRI data to identify 

the technical assistance needs of manufacturing sectors generating chemicals that pose 

the greatest relative risk to public health and the environment. The Division prioritized 

chemicals, examined manufacturing sectors releasing the highest priority chemicals, and 

identified particular subsectors for further assessment. The Division also conducted indepth manufacturing sector assessments to determine which processes produce which 

wastes, what multi-media waste problems exist, what P2 activities were being 

undertaken, and what additional opportunities might exist.40 

• The Florida Waste Reduction Assistance Program provides assistance in source reduction 

and waste minimization to facilities handling TRI chemicals. The Program relies on TRI 

and other data to target facilities for the Program.

41 

• EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance uses TRI data within its Online 

Tracking Information System (OTIS) -- a collection of on-line search engines that 

enables EPA staff, state/local/tribal governments, and federal agencies to access a wide 

range of data relating to enforcement and compliance. Data on the OTIS site are from 

OECA's Integrated Data for Enforcement Analysis (IDEA) system, which extracts and 

integrates information from TRI as well as the following databases: AFS (Clean Air Act 

-- AIRS Facility Subsystem), PCS (Clean Water Act -- Permit Compliance System), 

RCRAInfo (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Information System), the Federal 

Enforcement Docket, National Compliance Database (NCDB), and the 1990 U.S. 

Census. OTIS can be used for many functions, including program planning, enforcement 

targeting, sector and geographic analyses, data quality review, and pre-inspection review. 

As of March 2002, all states, all EPA Regional Offices, and another 90 local, state and 

federal governmental organizations are registered. 

12
Legislation and Regulations 

TRI data often provide the impetus for legislative action from federal, state, and local 

governments. For over a decade, TRI data has been used to influence and change environmental 

standards, regulations, and legislation, for example: 

• In response to legislation passed in 1987 to address toxic chemical releases to the air, the 

Illinois EPA Bureau of Air used TRI data to determine quantities of stack and fugitive air 

emissions of reported substances to support continued development of regulatory 

proposals.42 

Risk Assessment 

As the connection between toxic chemicals and human health becomes better known, 

public health officials are looking for ways to assess the levels of risk in their communities. TRI 

data have been a crucial component in creating tools to address these assessments. Examples 

follow: 

• The New York State Department of Health developed a risk screening protocol using TRI 

air release data and toxicity potency data to produce relative risk scores and rankings for 

facilities and chemicals within the state. Results suggested the need for a more careful 

evaluation of health effects resulting from large releases of noncarcinogenic 

compounds.43 

• Researchers from EPA’s Office of Health Research published a study of national and 

regional differences in county-level TRI chemical releases to air according to the 

ethnicity or race and household income of the populations. Using the “Population 

Emissions Index,” a population-weighted average release for each county, the study 

found that all minority groups except Native Americans tend to live in counties where 

levels of TRI chemical releases to air are higher. The data also suggest that household 

incomes tend to be higher in counties with higher TRI chemical releases to air.44 

• The EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics’s Risk-Screening Environmental 

Indicators Model provides year-to-year indicators of the potential impacts of TRI 

chemical releases on human health and the environment. The indicators consider TRI 

release and transfer volumes, chronic toxicity, exposure potential, and the size of receptor 

populations. Both generic and site-specific exposure characteristics can be incorporated. 

The model allows the targeting and prioritization of chemicals, industries and geographic 

areas. Facility scores can also be tracked from year to year to analyze trends.45 

13
Quality Assurance and Control 

Some states, such as Massachusetts, that require separate reporting of toxic chemical 

releases for their facilities find TRI data to be a useful measure of quality assurance and control. 

The Air Pollution Control Program in the Missouri Department of Natural Resources also 

compares fugitive and stack emissions reported to the TRI with toxic chemical release data 

reported on the state’s Emissions Inventory Questionnaire for quality control.46 

Other Government Uses 

Additional governmental uses of TRI data can be found in agencies not immediately 

associated with environmental issues. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service used TRI data to 

identify companies releasing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in order to enforce a tax imposed on 

releases of CFCs and thus facilitate the phase-out of these chemicals.47 

International Right-to-Know 

The TRI has served as the model for many countries’ Chemical Right-To-Know 

programs and laws. Within the next few years, more than 30 nations are expected to have a TRIlike system, known internationally as Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs). PRTRs 

allow the public to obtain toxic chemical release data over a large geographic area. Countries 

can compare their data and share ideas about improving environmental regulations. Examples of 

how PRTR information is being used include: 

• The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), which was created by a sideagreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), began it’s PRTR 

work by preparing a document that compares U.S. and Canadian PRTR systems. The 

CEC now develops an annual report, entitled “Taking Stock”, that correlates data from 

the TRI and the Canadian National Pollutant Release Inventory to give an overall view of 

releases and transfers of toxic chemicals within and between countries. The CEC also 

has created an Internet search engine that allows the public to obtain continental PRTR 

data.48 

• In 2000, the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition attended an international conference in 

Croatia on public participation and community right-to-know. Participants recognized 

the fundamental importance of Chemical Right-To-Know and are lobbying the United 

Nations to promote the program and persuade nations to support the passage of 

community right-to-know laws modeled after the TRI.49 

14
Investment 

The public’s increased awareness of environmental issues has made environmental 

performance an important factor in their investment decisions. Many investment companies 

have responded to this demand by providing socially responsible investment options. Examples 

of how TRI data have been used in investment decisions include: 

• Green Century Funds, an investment organization that specializes in socially responsible 

mutual funds, offers two funds committed to promoting corporate environmental 

responsibility. The Green Century Balanced Fund invests in “performance-driven 

companies that are a part of the solution to environmental problems,” as well as in 

environmentally benign companies and “best of class” companies that are setting 

standards for environmental protection in their industries. The Green Century Equity 

Fund screens out companies with the worst environmental and social records. The funds 

are monitored for environmental performance using TRI data.50 

• Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management found a correlation 

between a company’s stock value and its P2 efforts, which were assessed using TRI data. 

A researcher from the University performed two separate studies comparing the progress 

of a company’s P2 activities as reported on TRI forms to a company’s stock market 

performance. The study reported that “companies that underperform expected pollution 

prevention goals are penalized in the stock market, and the stock of the companies that 

engage in pollution prevention activity tends to outperform the stock of companies that 

do not engage in pollution prevention.”51 

• Using TRI data, the Investor Responsibility Research Center (IRRC) developed an 

Emissions Efficiency Index® that indicates which companies have a competitive edge in 

environmental performance. The Index is predicated on the idea that greater toxic 

chemical releases are associated with higher risks of negative publicity, more tort actions, 

and higher costs for pollution control and waste management. IRRC’s constituency uses 

TRI-based information to identify companies with poor environmental records. Using 

the index, investors can either screen such companies out of their portfolios or purchase 

shares and use their ownership as leverage to improve environmental performance.52 

Academic Use 

A variety of TRI data use applications occur in academia, in areas ranging from doctoral 

theses to journal publications to use in the classroom itself. 

15
Research 

Universities and research institutions are using TRI data as a means for “examining 

environmental policies and strategies, and clarifying risks associated with toxic chemicals at the 

state and local level.”53 Students and faculty in the academic community also perform studies 

based on TRI data. Examples of academic research using TRI data include: 

• In February 2000, the journal Drug and Chemical Toxicology published an article 

entitled, “Using GIS to Study the Health Impact of Air Emissions.” This article showed 

how public health professionals are able to use data (such as the TRI) on toxic chemical 

releases to air, air dispersion modeling, and GIS to identify and define a potentially 

exposed population. In addition, such data can be analyzed to estimate the health risk 

burden of that population and determine correlations between point-based health outcome 

results and estimated health risk.54 

• In the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management in 1999, researcher Mr. 

Madhu Khanna published results of research that examined the environmental, economic 

and investment effects of voluntary and mandatory toxic release reporting programs. One 

of the research studies focused on the EPA’s "33/50" Program during its first three years, 

1991-1993, and its impact on the U.S. chemical industry. The paper concluded that 

Program participation led to a statistically significant decline in toxic releases over the 

time period, a statistically significant negative impact on current return on investment, 

but a positive and statistically significant impact on the expected long run profitability of 

firms.55 

• At Louisiana State University, environmental science professor Paul Templet developed 

a method, using TRI data, to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of pollution control 

strategies, policies, and programs, by calculating an “emissions to jobs ratio.” This ratio 

consists of the number of pounds of toxic chemical releases per job in a given industry 

and location, can be compared to a national or other average. The comparison is then 

used to assess the relative toxic air releases associated with a certain job. This ratio was 

used to modify tax exemptions granted to facilities to encourage and reward job 

creation.56 

• Professor Mark Stephan used TRI as the background for an academic paper focusing on 

the role of information disclosure programs in environmental policy. Professor Stephan 

used TRI as a prime example for the fundamental theories and concepts that underlie the 

empirical work on the comparison of basic theories arising from the knowledge of 

economics, psychology, and politics.57 

• Researchers Klassen and Whybark studied management of the natural environment in 

manufacturing firms, given increased public awareness and scrutiny as a result of 

16
programs like the TRI. In one of their published studies, they concluded that an 

emphasis on pollution prevention instead of pollution control, improved delivery 

performance and firm competitiveness.58 

Classroom Use 

High school and university instructors have incorporated the TRI into curricula involving 

subjects ranging from introductory chemistry to business. 

• The JSI Center for Environmental Health Studies developed a field-based environmental 

education curriculum for high school students in Chelsea, Massachusetts, a low-income 

minority community near Boston. The goal was to encourage student participation in 

environmental assessment and protection. Students learned to inventory sources of 

contamination in a local creek and worked with community agencies on protecting a 

valuable environmental resource. TRI data were an integral part of the students’ 

research.59 

Conclusions 

A variety of stakeholders work with TRI data on a regular basis. Some data uses, such as 

risk screening, were recognized when the TRI was first implemented; other uses have developed 

as the program has matured and expanded. TRI data have been a key tool in the environmental 

justice movement and in the drive toward more environmentally responsible investment. The 

applications of TRI data will likely increase in number as environmental awareness grows and 

opportunities are identified for integrating TRI data with other types of information. 

17
Appendix A: Expanded Lists of TRI Data Uses and Benefi

User Description Reference PUBLIC USE - Citizens/Community Organizations 

Amalgamated Clothing and 

Textile Workers Union and community activists in 

Northfield, MN 

Amalgamated called for emissions reductions from a 

local facility ranked as the nation’s 45th largest emitter 

of carcinogens to the air. Contract negotiations led to an agreement for a 64% reduction in use of toxic chemicals by 1992 and a 90% reduction in toxic 

emissions by 1993. 

Economic Analysis of the Fto Add Certain Industry GEPCRA Section 313, p. 6-21997 

California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) 

CALPIRG uses TRI data to supplement the information 

that water utilities publish in their Consumer Confidence Reports, and to identify potential water contamination sources. CALPIRG presents these data to policymakers to provide more information to the public on drinking water contamination. 

<www.calpirg.org> 

Don’t Waste Arizona Don’t Waste Arizona produced two videos about the 

Community Right-to-Know Act for the public and the regulated community. The organization held “house parties” to show the videos and discuss how communities can identify and reduce toxic pollution. 

Don’t Waste Arizona has also distributed videos to citizens, libraries, and compliance assistance centers throughout Arizona, thus increasing public awareness about pollution. 

A Citizen’s Guide to ReducRisks: Putting the TRI to W909-B98-001, Region 9 CrDivision, January, 1998 

18
User Description Reference 

PUBLIC USE - Citizens/Community Organizations 

Eugene Toxics Right-to-Know program, OR 

The Eugene Toxics Right-to-Know program used TRI as a model to develop the first city right-to-know 

program. gives citizens information 

about toxic material use and materials accounting 

information to the kilogram level. placed the amendment on the ballot. the program in 1996 as an amendment to the Eugene 

City Charter. ore information, or to view the database, go to <www.ci.eugene.or.us/firedept/Toxics/toxicsb.htm>. 

<www.ci.eugene.or.us/fireb.html> 

JSI Center for Environmental Health Studies 

The Center trained librarians on how to access information from computerized electronic databases, including TRI, especially for use as tools to investigate environmental health problems. 

JSI Center for EnvironmenStudies: A Division of the Research and Training Ins

Louisiana Environmental Action Network 

The Network uses TRI data as part of strategic campaigns for change at a better informed legislative level. House and Senate members and holds tours of focus 

sites for representatives, media, citizens, etc. 

<www.leanweb.org/> 

Massachusetts Toxic Usage Reduction Institute (TURI) 

TURI uses TRI production data to normalize information on annual toxic chemical releases to eliminate the effects of changes in production. 

Tenney, H.M., Mass TURIcorrespondence with Abt Aon 4/01/99 and 4/15/99 

This program

A citizen initiative 

Voters adopted 

For m

The network creates "briefing books" for state 

19
User Description Reference 

PUBLIC USE - Citizens/Community Organizations 

Mothers of East Los Angeles of Santa Isabel 

The organization used TRI data to compare toxic 

chemical release estimates contained in P2 plans with actual releases to the environment., which led to community evaluation of facility P2 plans. 

<http://clnet.ucr.edu/comm

cambios/melasi/> 

National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) 

NCSL conducted a 1996 survey of states, which EPA 

used to assess how states currently access and use TRI data. -four states produce annual TRI reports, 37 use TRI data to identify facilities for P2 activities, 22 use TRI data to target facilities for inspection to ensure compliance with permits, 22 use TRI data for emergency planning, seven use TRI data to develop or revise permits, and 5 use TRI data for facility siting and 

permitting decisions. ents 

include annual press releases, facts sheets, computer 

applications, chemical fact sheets, and tables of emissions quantities. 

A Citizen’s Guide to ReducRisks: Putting the TRI to W909-B98-001, Region 9 CrDivision, January, 1998 

Twenty

Other state-produced docum

20
User Description Reference 

PUBLIC USE - Citizens/Community Organizations 

Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition The Coalition uses TRI data on the hazardous materials 

section of their web site to display toxic chemical 

releases and other information, increasing public awareness. progress reports of the Silicon Valley toxic chemical 

releases. 

<www.svep.org> 

The Coalition used TRI data to develop the first Silicon Valley Environmental Index <www.svep.org>, 

showing local sustainability trends in Santa Clara County. 

Wilma Subra, grass roots advocate 

Ms. Subra uses TRI data to support regulations and policies to improve public health and the environment 

at the local level. 

Personal interview by KathJennrich, intern, Toxics ReInventory Program Divisio

US EPA, July 21, 2000 

Toxics Action Center, Sharon, MA 

The Center used TRI to assess the specific media 

through which toxic chemical releases are made, such 

as septic systems. 

<www.toxicsaction.org> 

WashPIRG WashPIRG used TRI data to relate the number of TRI 

sites in states to the incidence rates of cancers associated with environmental toxins. 

Wise, Alison. Washington: Our Health aEnvironment at Risk,” Apr

The Coalition also uses TRI data in its 

“The Toxic 

21
User Description Reference 

PUBLIC USE - National Organizations 

Citizen’s Fund The Fund summarized 1991 TRI data nationally 

and by state to attempt to measure the progress of 

manufacturers in preventing pollution, and included report cards of the top 50 waste generating facilities in the chemical industry. The Fund aggregated 1990 TRI data from different 

facilities by their parent companies to hold 

corporations more accountable for the full extent of their toxic pollution. 

Economic Analysis of the FinaAdd Certain Industry Groups tEPCRA Section 313, p. 6-20, A1997 

Environmental Defense (ED) ED uses TRI data, along with other resources on its 

Scorecard web site, to allow the public to find chemical information about their communities by searching by ZIP code. 

OMB Watch and the Unison In“The Right Stuff: Using the ToRelease Inventory.”13 July 19

ED is in the process of linking toxic chemical release data with toxicological studies on its Scorecard web site. 1998 and focused on the human health impacts of toxins. ical releases 

by equivalency factors, taking into account toxicity and exposure potential. 

A Citizen’s Guide to Reducing Risks: Putting the TRI to Work909-B98-001, Region 9 Cross Division, January, 1998 

ED used TRI data to rank the efficiency of 166 U.S. refineries based on toxic chemical releases and waste per barrel of oil refined per day. 

Selcraig, Bruce. Know Can Hurt You,” Sierra 

Magazine. Jan/Feb, 1997 

It released the first version in 

The project ranked toxic chem

“What You D

22
User Description Reference 

PUBLIC USE - National Organizations 

Envirotrust Envirotrust uses section 8 TRI data to develop an 

index that can compare facilities’ progress toward 

better environmental management. 

Nathan, T. conversation with Abt AssociaMarch 3, 1999 

Hampshire Research Institute (HRI) 

HRI surveyed TRI facilities reporting large reductions in their toxic chemical releases and production-related waste to determine if these changes resulted from P2 activities, “paper” reporting changes, or other factors. 

<www.hampshire.org/hri02.ht

National Environmental Trust for Clear the Air, the National Campaign Against Dirty Power 

These organizations analyzed TRI data from power 

plants, and compared them to those of other 

industry sectors, and used TRI data to rank the power plants within individual sectors. 

Nathan, et al. Toxic Power: WTRI Tells Us About Power PlaPollution, August 2000 

Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) 

PSR used TRI and other data in a report that includes national information about releases of developmental and neurological toxins, a ranking of the states, and information about the top 

releasing counties, industries, and facilities in each of the 50 states. 

<www.psr.org/trireport.pdf> 

Right-to-Know Network (RTKNet) 

RTKNet maintains a web site similar to 

Environmental Defense's Scorecard (see p.22). Users can also search by specific chemicals. 

Economic Analysis of the FinaAdd Certain Industry Groups tEPCRA Section 313, p. 6-20, A1997 

Sierra Club The Sierra Club uses TRI data in citizen outreach 

documents. 

<www.sierraclub.org> 

Envirotrust, phone 

23
User Description Reference 

PUBLIC USE - National Organizations 

Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) 

U.S. PIRG examined TRI releases to surface waters and to publicly-owned treatment works (POTWs) 

in Troubled Waters: Major Sources of Toxic Water Pollution (1993). U.S. PIRG identified the nation’s top releasers of toxic chemicals to those water sources. ade recommendations for amending the Clean Water Act to provide the public with more information about toxic chemical 

releases to waterways. 

Hopey, Don. 

February 18, 2000 <www.pos

gazette.com/healthscience/200llute2.asp> 

Unison Institute/OMB Watch The organizations collected anecdotal data about 

how the Right-to-Know Network (RTKNet) used TRI data in The Right Stuff: Using the Toxics Release Inventory (1995). 

Economic Analysis of the FinaAdd Certain Industry Groups tEPCRA Section 313, p. 6-20, A1997 

The organizations’ publication Where the Wastes Are examines facilities receiving the largest 

quantities of shipments of TRI chemicals in waste. 

Economic Analysis of the FinaAdd Certain Industry Groups tEPCRA Section 313, p. 6-20, A1997 

Working Group on CommunityRight-to-Know The Working Group created a list of questions for concerned citizens, reporters, and other interested 

parties to ask corporations reporting reduced toxic chemical releases, to find out if the decrease is a “phantom reduction” due to a change in reporting 

procedure (e.g., acetone no longer being required for reporting) rather than a change in production practices. 

Economic Analysis of the FinaAdd Certain Industry Groups tEPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, A1997 

The organization m

Post-Gazette (Pi

24
User Description Reference 

PUBLIC USE - National Organizations 

The Working Group prepared a bibliography listing well over 100 state and local reports and more than 

30 national TRI reports compiled by public interest groups. 

Economic Analysis of the FinaAdd Certain Industry Groups tEPCRA Section 313, p. 6-20, A1997 

25
User Description Reference 

PUBLIC USE - Direct Negotiation 

Communities for a Better Environment, CA 

In 1994, the organization targeted 16 facilities in California that failed to submit toxic release 

information of ozone depleting chemicals. all but one settlement, industries agreed to 

phase out the chemicals and to donate funds to local community or environmental groups. 

Selcraig, Bruce. Know Can Hurt You.”Sierra Maga

Jan/Feb, 1997 

Communities for a Better Environment, Richmond, CA 

The organization used TRI data to negotiate an agreement with General Chemical, which will fund a $15,000 study of public health, spend $100,000 on the surrounding neighborhood, pay for community’s experts to do a safety audit of the plant, and then submit to binding arbitration should it disagree on safety recommendations made by those experts. 

A Citizen’s Guide to Reducing ToxRisks: Putting the TRI to Work!, E909-B98-001, Region 9 Cross MedDivision, January, 1998 

Consumer Policy Institute of Brooklyn, NY 

The institute used 1988 TRI data to identify Ulano Corporation as the top industrial air toxic polluter in New York City, and launched a media campaign to pressure the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to take action. to use a new incinerator that reduced toluene emissions by approximately 95%. 

Fung and O’Rourke, “Reinventing Environmental Regulations from th

Grassroots Up,” Environmental 

Management. Vol. 25, No. 2 

In 

“What You Don’

The DEC forced Ulano 

26
User Description Reference 

PUBLIC USE - Direct Negotiation 

Don’t Waste Arizona In 1996, the organization filed about 30 

lawsuits against facilities for not submitting 

information on their toxic chemical releases. 

Facilities signed agreements to adopt P2 measures that resulted in significant reductions 

in toxic chemical releases. 

A Citizen’s Guide to Reducing ToxRisks: Putting the TRI to Work!, E909-B98-001, Region 9 Cross MedDivision, January, 1998 

Ecology Center, Ann Arbor, MI The Center used TRI data to get commitments 

from the president of Auto Alliance International to embark on an aggressive solvent reduction program. mitments improved air quality (fewer instances of 

noxious odors). 

OMB Watch and the Unison Institu“The Right Stuff: Using the Toxics Release Inventory.”13 July 1995 

MapCruzin MapCruzin combines GIS technology with TRI 

data to let Santa Cruz residents and Silicon Valley residents find the exact location of 

businesses in their areas that report transfers and toxic chemical releases <www.mapcruzin.com/svtc_maps/ 

index.html>. 

<www.mapcruzin.com/environmenustice.htm> 

Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG) 

MASSPIRG used TRI data to target Raytheon, the state’s largest emitter of ozone-destroying 

chemicals such as CFCs and methyl 

chloroform, in a public accountability campaign in 1990. pledge from Raytheon to switch to water-based 

alternatives to CFCs. 

Fung and O’Rourke, “Reinventing Environmental Regulations from th

Grassroots Up,” Environmental 

Management, Vol. 25, No. 2 

The com

MASSPIRG obtained a 

27
User Description Reference 

PUBLIC USE - Direct Negotiation 

Minnesota Citizens for a Better Environment 

The organization released a report profiling the state’s “top 40 toxic polluters” based on emissions of certain priority chemicals. data were combined with other data to provide 

enough information to support local efforts to 

negotiate with facilities for emissions reductions. worked with 18 of the 40 facilities. 

Economic Analysis of the Final RuAdd Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group (PennPIRG) 

PennPIRG used TRI data to identify AK Steel Corporation as the source of nitrate loading of Connoquenessing Creek, a local water source. PennPIRG’s report prompted the state to 

commit to reduce the amount of nitrates AK 

Steel is permitted to release into the creek. 

<www.pennpirg.org> 

Community Members of 

Mansfield, TX 

Community Members of Mansfield used TRI 

data to negotiate permission to have its own experts perform regular environmental and safety audits of a local Rhone-Poulenc chemical plant. 

Selcraig, Bruce. Know Can Hurt You.”Sierra Maga

Jan/Feb, 1997 

TRI 

Since publication, activists have 

“What You Don’

28
User Description Reference 

PUBLIC USE - Environmental Justice 

Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) 

APEN created a series of maps that combine TRI and demographic data through GIS. The 

maps show that many poor Asian and Pacific Islander communities live in toxic hot spots and are a powerful visual tool to raise awareness among community members about 

their environment and environmental justice. 

A Citizen’s Guide to Reducing ToxiRisks: Putting the TRI to Work!, EP909-B98-001, Region 9 Cross MediDivision, January, 1998 

Environmental Systems Research 

Institute 

The institute used TRI data in a study that compared race, age, and income in areas that 

were near or far from airborne toxic chemical 

releases. The study used buffers, based on the toxin released, its quantity, and the atmospheric conditions present at the time of 

the release, to measure “nearness.” Various 

maps created in the study help communicate results and explain spatial relationships. 

“Toxics Releases and Demography Minneapolis/St. Paul: A GIS Exploration.” <www.esri.com/index.html> 

29
User Description Reference 

PUBLIC USE - Environmental Justice North Baton Rouge (LA) Environmental Association, Florence Robinson 

The organization used TRI and U.S. Census data to demonstrate environmental racism in 

Cancer Alley, in testimony before the Civil 

Rights Association and at hearings on environmental justice for the Department of 

Environmental Quality. 

OMB Watch and the Unison Institu“The Right Stuff: Using the Toxics Release Inventory.”13 July 1995 

Residents of Louisiana's Mississippi River corridor, popularly known as "Cancer Alley" and Lake Charles regions of LA 

The residents used TRI data (and ED's Scorecard web site) to show that poor and minority populations suffer from more environmental risks than the public at large. The residents published a report Breathing Poison: The Toxic Costs of Industries in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, which indicates the health risks to which the minority 

community might be exposed. 

"Breathing Poison: The Toxic Costs Industries in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana." Residents of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana 

Sheppard, E.; Leitner, H; McMaster, RB; Tian, H. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology 

The authors used 1995 TRI and 1990 U.S. Census data for the City of Minneapolis, MN, to make a comparative evaluation of two 

commonly employed proximity measures in 

GIS-based environmental equity assessment and their influence on the results of the analysis. The authors proposed a 

methodology for evaluating the significance of these results. 

Sheppard, E.; Leitner, H; McMasterRB; Tian, H. "GIS-based Measures Environmental Equity: Exploring Their Sensitivity and Significance." Journal of Exposure Analysis and 

Environmental Epidemiology, 9 Iss

1, p. 18-28 

30
User Description Reference 

PUBLIC USE - Environmental Justice Texas Network for Environmental and Economic Justice 

The Network published Toxics in Texas and Their Impact on Communities of Color. The 

network used TRI and other data to document disproportionate environmental impacts on racial and ethnic minority communities in 

Texas. 

Economic Analysis of the Final RulAdd Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

University of California, Los Angeles 

The University found that low-income and 

Latino neighborhoods in Los Angeles County are more likely than other communities in the 

region to be near major sources of toxic air 

pollution. 

Kolacovic, Gary. Los Angeles Tim

October 18, 2001 <www.greenwire.com> 

U.C. Santa Barbara, Center for Geographic Information and Analysis 

The Center used 1989 TRI data and U.S. Census data to examine and map significant 

relationships between race and income populations and their proximity to TRI sites in Los Angeles. 

<www.mapcruzin.com/scruztri/doc

ek55.htm> 

31
User Description Reference 

INDUSTRY USE - Cost Reduction 

Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), other companies 

These companies have applied life-cycle 

costing methods to achieve significant savings. These steps resulted at least in part due to public awareness of the TRI and the addition of electric utilities to 

TRI. ComEd has saved over $25 million 

since the program’s inception in 1993. 

McDonnell, Jeff S., “The Toxics Release Inventory: A New Challenge for Electric Utilities,” < www.battelle.org> 

EPA Region III TRI workshop, 1997 

Attendees provided reasons for undertaking waste reduction activities. ost 

frequent reason given was cost reduction (98% of respondents). 

EPA Region III TRI workshop, 1997 

Their m

Florida Power and Light (FPL) FPL created a recycling center to recover 

and sell a variety of scrap materials, due to 

public awareness of the TRI and the addition of electric utilities to the TRI. This center generates $1.8 million in profits annually. 

McDonnell, Jeff S., “The Toxics Release Inventory: A New Challenge for Electric Utilities,” <www.battelle.org> 

32
User Description Reference 

INDUSTRY USE - Cost Reduction 

Pine, J. 1997 Toxics Release Inventory and Right-to-Know Conference Proceedings 

Pine provided examples of how TRI information has helped companies develop waste reduction strategies. For example, 

Marathon Oil installed a thermal desorption 

unit to process oily waste and recovered over 120,000 barrels of oil; Georgia Gulf Corporation relocated a methanol stripper purge line that resulted in the recovery of 9,300 gallons of methanol that previously 

underwent biological waste treatment. 

Pine, John. 1997 Toxics Release Inventory and Right-to-Know Conference Proceedings 

Various Companies, TRI Data Use Conference for 1993 

Several corporations presented their experiences of how they reduced emissions 

and recognized P2 and cost saving opportunities through the EPA 33/50 program. 

Various Companies, TRI Data Use Conference for 1993 

33
User Description Reference 

INDUSTRY USE - Public Relations Tools 

DuPont DuPont lists TRI data on its web site and 

uses its progress in emissions reductions as a marketing tool. 

<www.dupont.com> 

Allegheny Energy and EPRI As a result of public awareness of the TRI 

and the addition of electric utilities to the TRI, these two companies are coordinating 

their efforts to develop an approach for leveraging the utility-owned wetlands by selling conservation banking credits. 

McDonnell, Jeff S. Release Inventory: A New Challenge for Electric Utilities.” <www.battelle.org> 

“The Toxics 

Boeing Boeing uses TRI data to track the 

company’s progress. pany 

continues to invest and innovate in P2 programs and find new ways to obtain greater leverage for current emission reduction programs. emissions have decreased for more than a 

decade – more than 82% since 1991. 

<www.boeing.com/companyoffices/a

The com utus/environment/eval_results.htm> 

Boeing’s overall 

Eastman Chemical Company Each of the company’s four U.S. facilities 

has a Community Advisory Panel (CAP). In addition to other activities, the panel receives updates on TRI data. then uses mend process 

and waste management improvements and 

ways to present the data to the public. 

Forrest, Carol J. Public Dialogue,” Pollution Preventio

Review, Winter 1995-96, p. 1 

The CAP 

the data to recom

“The TRI, P2, and 

34
User Description Reference 

INDUSTRY USE - Public Relations Tools 

Monsanto Monsanto provides a web site similar to 

DuPont’s (see above), including historical data for sites with over 100,000 pounds of toxic chemical releases. 

<www.monsanto.com> 

Polaroid Polaroid used TRI data in its annual report 

to inform stockholders and the public of efforts they were making to reduce pollution. 

OMB Watch and the Unison Institute“The Right Stuff: Using the Toxics Release Inventory.”13 July 1995 

35
User Description References 

INDUSTRY USE - Public Disclosure 

Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office (CEPPO), U.S. EPA 

CEPPO conducted a study to find out how the media affects industries and 

their emissions reductions. The office found that large polluters singled out by the media due to the public availability 

of TRI data have decreased their emissions by about twice the percentage 

as the overall average. 

Chemical Emergency 

Preparedness and Prevention Office (CEPPO), U.S. EPA 

Iowa Association of Business and Industry 

The association coordinated a community-wide P2 initiative in the Des Moines-Polk County area. association adopted goals of a 60% reduction of all TRI chemicals by 1992 and a 70% reduction by 1995. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

The 

36
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Environmental Solutions 

Air Pollution Control Program of Missouri, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 

Missouri DNR used TRI data to check quality of their Missouri Emissions Inventory Questionnaire (EIQ) data. Missouri DNR was able to show that 2 facilities incorrectly reported emissions 

data on the EIQ. 

E-mail from Giroir, Louis Eric, 

Toxicologist, Air Pollution Control Program, Missouri Department of Natural Resources to Katherine Jennrichintern, Toxics Release Inventory Program Division, OPPT, 

Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, P2 Program 

The Department used TRI and other data to identify the 10 industry groups responsible for the largest quantities of hazardous waste generation or toxic chemical releases in the state. will serve as the basis for establishing priorities for P2 activities and for distribution of technical assistance grants. companies for participation in a Governor’s P2 Challenge Program to reduce toxic emissions and hazardous waste generation. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

Indiana Governor’s Office The Indiana Governor’s Toxics 

Reduction Challenge of 1998 gives publicity to companies meeting certain standards (i.e., reductions in toxic chemical releases). 

<www.in.gov/idem/> 

June 13, 2000 

This work 

It will also used to target large 

37
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Environmental Solutions 

Louisiana’s Environmental Leadership P2 Program 

Louisiana used TRI data to track the progress of a statewide emissions prevention and reduction program that seeks a 45% reduction in toxic chemical 

releases by 1997, using 1992 data as a 

baseline. sponsors the 

Governor Awards for Environmental Excellence to promote public recognition of industry achievements (U.S. EPA, 

1993b). 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

North Carolina P2 Program North Carolina uses TRI data to integrate 

multi-media toxic chemical release data into statewide waste reduction activities, such as technical assistance, grants, research, and demonstration projects. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

The Program

38
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Environmental Solutions 

States of Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia 

The states jointly participated in a “TriState Initiative” to identify, prevent, and 

remediate environmental threats. 

Program coordinators use TRI data in 

their risk assessment process to focus on sources of greatest concern. program will use voluntary industry commitments and cooperative efforts among industry, the public, and government to achieve reductions in TRI 

chemical and criteria air pollutant 

releases. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

States of Arkansas, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington 

The states participated in the EPA Office of Solid Waste’s Measurement Project, 

using TRI data in projects assessing P2 measurement at the facility level. 

“Taking Stock” Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) 

U.S. EPA The EPA 33/50 Program included 1200 

companies that reduced emissions of 17 

priority TRI chemicals from 1988 levels by 33% and 50% by 1992 and 1995, 

respectively. The program reached both 

goals a year early. 

U.S. EPA's 33/50 Program, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics in the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances 

The 

39
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Environmental Targeting 

Florida Waste Reduction Assistance Program (WRAP) 

WRAP uses TRI data to target facilities for the program, which answers facility requests to provide assistance in source reduction and waste minimization in the handling of TRI chemicals. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

Georgia Department of Natural Resources, P2 Division 

Georgia used TRI data in the process of identifying the technical assistance needs of manufacturing sectors that generate chemicals posing the greatest 

relative risk to public health and the environment. prioritized chemicals, and then examined manufacturing sectors 

releasing the highest priority chemicals and identified particular subsectors for further assessment. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Air Pollution Control Program (APCP) 

APCP uses TRI data to identify air pollution sources that might have to 

comply with Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Standards. also used TRI data to identify environmental “hot 

spots” in Missouri for communitybased environmental project targeting. 

E-mail from Giroir, Louis Eric, Toxicologist, Air Pollution Control Program, Missouri Department of Natural Resources to Katherine Jennrich, intern, Toxics Release Inventory Program Division, OPPT, June 13, 2000 

The Division first 

The Program

40
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Environmental Targeting 

New Jersey Department of 

Environmental Protection and Energy 

New Jersey used TRI data in a 

computerized GIS to prioritize 

facilities and geographic areas for implementing P2 measures. 

Department used minor watersheds to 

aggregate and map toxic chemical 

releases to water. ent then grouped chemicals based on health and environmental effects to study the cumulative impact of many 

releases in the area. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 

New York State used TRI data to identify 400 facilities generating 95% 

of the state’s toxic pollution for priority attention in multi-media 

inspection, enforcement, ongoing 

monitoring, and P2 planning. 

“States as Innovators: It’s Time for a New Look to Our ‘Laboratories of Democracy’ in the Effort to Improve 

Our Approach to Environmental Regulation.” a Law Review 

347, p. 370-71 (1994) 

The 

The Departm

Alabam

41
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Environmental Targeting 

U.S. EPA, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance 

(OECA) 

OECA uses TRI data as a tool in inspection targeting and enforcement 

and for cross-checking data from other sources. ent personnel can use TRI data and the Facility and Company Tracking System (FACTS) 

to identify additional facilities owned 

by the same corporation or by the same 

parent company that might be subject to liability. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

U.S. EPA, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance 

(OECA) (cont.) 

OECA uses TRI data in its EPCRA Targeting System (ETS), which provides local access to TRI and FACTS data for all facilities subject to EPCRA section 313 requirements. ETS supports the creation of prioritized inspection targeting lists, generated from a wide array of 

selection criteria. targeting activities, such as contacting facilities and tracking tips and complaints. field offices currently use this new system. 

as above 

Enforcem

It also supports daily 

Nine out of ten Regional 

42
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Environmental Targeting 

OECA provides guidance to Regional field offices on the resources available to their inspectors in identifying nonreporters, later reporters, and data 

quality errors. the inspectors with valuable information extrapolated from the TRI, 

such as facility reporting rates, processes, and toxic chemical releases. 

as above 

U.S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) 

OSWER uses TRI data when analyzing long-term trends and identifying 

particular industry practices that warrant attention by the Office. OSWER also uses TRI data when establishing liability under CERCLA and RCRA statutory authorities. data can be used when developing emission inventories for the Superfund site discovery program and during 

preliminary assessments. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 

1997 

These resources provide 

TRI 

43
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Environmental Targeting 

U.S. EPA, Office of Water Enforcement and Compliance (OWEC) 

OWEC used TRI to identify industrial 

users with the greatest contribution of toxic pollutants to city sewer systems. The Office identified the industries and provided facility names to the Regions 

for further evaluation. used TRI data to identify industrial users subject to pretreatment standards 

that are located in cities not required to have pretreatment programs. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 

local public health departments 

OSHA and local public health departments requested identification of facilities in certain areas that release specific chemicals for the purpose of targeting exposure screening for facility employees. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

OWEC also 

44
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Legislation and Regulations 

States of California, Delaware, Louisiana, New Jersey, and North Carolina 

These and other states have used TRI to support the passage of stricter environmental legislation. 

Fung and O’Rourke. “Reinventing Environmental Regulations from the 

Grassroots Up.” Environmental Management, Vol. 25, No. 2 

Illinois EPA, Bureau of Air The Bureau uses TRI data to 

determine quantities of stack and fugitive air emissions of reported 

substances. This information supports continuing development of regulatory proposals in response to legislation passed in 1987 to address air toxics. 

Dewulf, Cindy. “Utilization of Form R 

Data,” TRI Contact for Ohio EPA 

Louisiana State Legislature TRI data supported the 

Legislature’s actions to require the state DEQ to issue regulations identifying 100 priority pollutants, set emissions standards for those pollutants, and target a 50% emissions reduction from 1987 levels by 1994. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

Minnesota Legislature The Minnesota Legislature 

amended the state’s EPCRA in 1993 to expand TRI reporting requirements to non-manufacturing 

industries. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

45
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Legislation and Regulations North Carolina Environmental Management Commission 

The Commission set limits for 105 pollutants after a public interest group published a report on unregulated air toxics emissions in the state. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

U.S. EPA, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Pollution Prevention Division (PPD) 

PPD used TRI data as a screening tool to prioritize proposed regulations and industrial source categories, to promote P2 in rulemaking. The P2 Senior Policy 

Council has identified a number of regulatory development efforts that 

should consider inclusion of P2 measures. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

U.S. EPA, Office of Water (OW) OW used TRI data as one of several 

sources of information in developing regulations under section 316(b) regarding cooling water. The data were useful in identifying facilities to include in a 

nationwide list of facilities (i.e., the “sample frame”) within several major industrial groups. OW used 

the list to select a random sample for survey. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

46
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Risk Assessment 

Kentucky Division of Environmental Services 

Kentucky occasionally uses the TRI database 

when it makes determinations regarding risk assessments. 

E-mail from Alex Barber to Katherin

Jennrich, intern, Toxics Release Inventory Program Division, dated 

June 1, 2000 

New York State Department of Health 

New York State developed a risk screening protocol using TRI air release data and toxicity potency data to produce relative risk 

scores and rankings for facilities and chemicals within the state. the need for more careful evaluation of health effects resulting from large releases of 

noncarcinogenic compounds. 

Hazen, Susan B. “An Overview of Uses of the Toxics Release Inventory Data in the U.S.” Environmental Assistance Division, OPPT, US EPA1995. 

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) 

Oregon relied on the TRI database to apply a computer model that evaluates cross-media 

impacts and ranks the relative risks to human 

health and the environment associated with pollutant discharges. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

U.S. EPA, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance 

(OECA) and the Office of Research and Development (ORD) 

OECA and ORD used TRI to develop a “Multi-Media Ranking System” to prioritize sites for enforcement actions and to evaluate the effectiveness of environmental laws in reducing risks from sites. stem ranks 

sites based on their multi-media releases of 

pollutants, their potential risk to human health and the environment, and the history 

of legal violations by the facility. 

U.S. EPA, Office of Enforcement anCompliance Assistance (OECA) and the Office of Research and Development (ORD) 

Results suggested 

The sy

47
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Risk Assessment 

U.S. EPA, Office of Health Research 

The Office published a study of national and regional differences in county-level TRI air emissions according to the ethnicity or race 

and household income of the populations. 

Using the “Population Emissions Index,” a 

population-weighted average emission for each county, the study found that all minority groups except Native Americans tend to live in counties where TRI toxic chemical 

releases levels are higher. 

U.S. EPA, Office of Health Research 

U.S. EPA, Office of Information Resources Management 

The Office sponsored the development of a 

Population Estimation and Characterization 

Tool, which uses GIS technology and 

demographic data for risk-based and 

environmental justice applications. allows users to estimate and characterize populations within a given radius of a single or multiple TRI facilities and to identify 

areas of potential multiple exposure to toxic 

chemical releases. 

U.S. EPA, Office of Information Resources Management 

The tool 

48
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Risk Assessment 

U.S. EPA, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Existing Chemicals Program 

OPPT uses TRI data for risk screening, determining testing needs and priorities, and considering and developing P2 activities. TRI data also serve as major inputs to exposure and risk assessments and are used in OPPT’s outreach efforts in responses to inquiries from various sources. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

Environmental Assistance Division (EAD) 

EAD developed software that contains health and ecotoxicity information on most section 

313 chemicals. TRIFACTS, was made available in January 

1991. understand the potential health and ecological effects of chemical activities 

identified in the TRI. 

Economic Analysis of the Final Rule Add Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

This software, called PCIt enables the TRI data user to better 

49
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Quality Assurance and Control 

Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Air Pollution Control Program 

Missouri compared fugitive and stack emissions reported to TRI with emissions 

data reported on the Missouri Emissions Inventory Questionnaire (EIQ), identifies facilities reporting incorrectly, and 

corroborates data. 

E-mail from Giroir, Louis Eric, Toxicologist, Air Pollution Control Program, Missouri Department of 

Natural Resources to Katherine Jennrich, intern, Toxics Release Inventory Program Division, OPPT, June 13, 2000 

50
User Description Reference 

GOVERNMENT - Other Government Uses 

Illinois Department of Public 

Health 

Illinois Department of Public Health requested and received TRI data to use as inputs into its Health and Hazardous Substances Registry. 

Dewulf, Cindy. “Utilization of F

Data,” TRI Contact for Ohio U.S

Illinois EPA, Bureau of Land Illinois EPA uses TRI data to identify toxic 

chemicals present at hazardous waste sites for a 

number of programmatic reasons. 

Dewulf, Cindy. “Utilization of F

Data,” TRI Contact for Ohio U.S

U.S. EPA, Office of Enforcement and Compliance 

Assurance (OECA) 

TRI data are included in the Integrated Data for Enforcement Analysis (IDEA) System, which 

combines TRI data with permit information from other databases. information for several industrial sectors and a subset of federal facilities through the Sector Facility Indexing Project (SFIP) web site <www.epa.gov/oeca/sfi>. 

Economic Analysis of the Final RAdd Certain Industry Groups to Section 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 

The IRS used TRI data to identify companies 

releasing CFCs in order to enforce a tax imposed on CFC releases. 

Hazen, Susan B. “An Overview of the Toxics Release Inventory the U.S.” Environmental AssistaDivision, OPPT, US EPA, 1995 

West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection, Public Empowerment Program 

West Virginia created a web site that includes TRI and other environmental, physical, and demographic data in an easy-to-use and format to 

increase the public’s understanding of their 

communities through better access to information. 

<www.dep.state.wv.us> 

The public can access IDEA 

51
User Description Reference 

INTERNATIONAL RIGHT-TO-KNOW 

Commission for Environmental 

Cooperation (CEC) 

CEC releases Taking Stock, an annual 

sourcebook that uses TRI data to track the sources of industrial pollutants throughout the U.S. and Canada. establishing an office to track toxic chemical 

releases. 

<www.cec.org/takingstock/index.cfm

rlan=english> 

CEC correlated TRI data and the Canadian National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) to give an overall view of releases and transfers of toxic chemicals across both countries. engine that allows a user to search the TRI data and its Canadian equivalent. 

<www.grconnect.com/querybuilder/

x.php3?varlan=english&output=form

Mexico is currently 

The CEC has developed a search 

52
User Description Reference 

INVESTMENT Clean Yield Asset Management, New Hampshire 

Clean Yield Asset Management compares companies’ TRI release data to their industry averages of pounds of toxic chemicals per 

sales dollars. The firm uses this comparison 

to gauge how individual companies measure up against other companies in their industry. TRI data also allow Clean Yield Asset Management to track how a company’s toxic 

chemical release performance improves from 

year to year. 

OMB Watch and the Unison Institu“The Right Stuff: Using the Toxics Release Inventory.”13 July 1995 

Green Century Funds Green Century Funds offers socially 

responsible mutual funds and uses TRI data to track portfolio company performance. 

<www.greencentury.com> 

Investor Responsibility Research Center, Inc. 

The Center has an Emissions Efficiency Index® based on TRI data that indicates which companies have a competitive edge in 

environmental performance. 

Economic Analysis of the Final RulAdd Certain Industry Groups to EPSection 313, p. 6-29, April 1997 

The Center uses TRI data in developing its Corporate Environmental Profile Directory, which presents quantitative, consistentlyderived data that allows investors to evaluate and compare corporate environmental 

performance. 

53
User Description Reference 

INVESTMENT Fortune magazine The magazine used TRI data as a central 

element in compiling a “green index” of America’s largest manufacturers by examining companies’ environmental records 

and developing a relative ranking system that 

assigned companies scores from 0-10 in 20 categories. 

Rice, Faye, 1993. "Who Scores Be

the Environment," Fortune, Vol. 122 (July 26, 1993) 

Neuberger and Bergman Neuberger and Bergman use TRI data to 

screen socially-responsible portfolios. 

Hendricksson, Marla, “Proof PositivTRI Success Stories,” Public Acces

Information, Vol. 3, No. 2 

Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management 

Vanderbilt University used TRI data in separate studies showing that companies that 

engage in P2 activity have better stock values. 

<http://mba.vanderbilt.edu/fmrc/pdf719.pdf> 

54
User Description Reference 

ACADEMIC - Research 

Drug and Chemical Toxicology An article shows how utilizing air emission 

data (such as the TRI), air dispersion modeling, and GIS data enables public health professionals to identify and define the potentially exposed population, estimate the 

health risk burden of that population, and determine correlations between point-based health outcome results and estimated health risk. 

Dent, A.L., D.A. Fowler, B.M. KapG.M. Zarus, W.D. Henriques. “UsiGIS to Study the Health Impact of AEmissions.” Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 23, Issue 1, p. 161-178 

Duke University, James Hamilton 

Mr. Hamilton found that stock prices of companies that reported high emissions 

dropped measurably the day the TRI data were first released. Another study showed that 

pressure from communities and investors influenced firms to cut their toxic chemical releases. 

Varon, Elena. “Power to the PeopleFederal Computer Week. March 301998 <www.fcw.com> 

Institute for Environmental Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Frances M. Lynn 

The Institute conducted a national study of users of TRI data during 1991. The study provides evidence that the availability of TRI data has contributed to the ability of the rightto-know community to effect changes in 

behavior in 3 broad areas. Legislation or regulatory action was stimulated by efforts to use TRI data, source reduction activities had taken place, and the data’s availability had 

prompted increased face-to-face meetings between community groups and industry. 

Lynn, Frances. “The Toxics ReleasInventory: An Evaluation of Use anImpact.” Institute for EnvironmentaStudies, UNC at Chapel Hill 

55
User Description Reference 

ACADEMIC - Research Madhu Khanna, Lisa Damon, Wilma Rose H. Quimio, Dora Bojilova - Journal of Environmental Economics and Management 

The Journal of Environmental Economics and Management has published an article by Madhu Khanna and others that examines the potential of voluntary programs as instruments for regulating toxic releases as well as their role vis-à-vis mandatory regulations. Another 

study in the same journal examines investor 

reactions to the repeated disclosure of environmental information about firms in the chemical industry and the effectiveness of this information as a decentralized mechanism for 

deterring their pollution. 

Madhu Khanna, Lisa Damon, WilmRose, H. Quimio, Dora Bojilova. “EPA’s 33/50 Program: Impact on Toxics Releases and Economic Performance of Firms” 

Louisiana State University, Paul Templet, Environmental Science 

Professor 

Templet developed a method to evaluate the 

comparative effectiveness of pollution control strategies, policies, and programs by calculating an “emissions to jobs ratio,” which is the number of pounds of emissions per job in a given industry and location. This ratio is compared to a national or other average to assess the job’s standing. The ratio was used 

to modify tax exemptions granted to facilities to encourage and reward job creation. 

Templet, Paul H., 1993. "The Emissions to Jobs Ratio," Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 27, No. 5 (May) 

56
User Description Reference 

ACADEMIC - Research Lynn and Kartez, Environmental Management 

Lynn and Kartez conducted a mail survey of 

active TRI users. The survey showed which 

data the respondents found most helpful and 

how they used the data (e.g., check emissions with permit records, identify source reduction 

opportunities, etc.). The authors wrote that the TRI promotes sound policy development by 

fostering dialogue among experts and the general public on how to most effectively control toxic emissions into the environment. 

“Environmental Democracy in ActiThe Toxics Release Inventory.” Environmental Management, Vol 1

New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations (NYSSILR), Cornell University, John Bunge 

Bunge conducted a statistical analysis of TRI 

data to test the hypothesis: "Is formal employee involvement in source reduction 

associated with greater reduction in toxic releases?" The study found, for example, that manufacturers using a certain combination of three formal employee participation practices 

had triple the reduction in toxic chemical releases of manufacturers using none of these 

practices. The study also discussed competing 

predictors of source reduction and assessed future research directions. 

Center for Advanced Human Resou

Studies, New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations. 199<www.cfe.cornell.edu/WEI/employtml>. 

Texas A&M Texas A&M used TRI and RCRA data in a 

study of 58 landfills. The study determined 

that of 143 toxic chemicals found, 60 occurred in municipal waste samples, 31 in industrial 

waste landfills, and 39 in both. 

Toxics Watch, 1995 <www.informinc.org/summaries_ch

php> 

57
User Description Reference 

ACADEMIC - Classroom Use 

JSI Center for Environmental Health Studies 

The Center developed a curriculum for high school students to encourage participation in environmental 

assessment and protection. was an integral part of the students’ research. 

JSI Center for Environmental Health Studies: A Division of the JSI Research and Training Institute 

Florida International University, Professor Robert Hognor 

Professor Hognor used TRI data in classes in the Department of Business and Society. Students issued a report in 1994 on the impact of toxic chemicals in the Caribbean. 

OMB Watch and the Unison Institute, “The Right Stuff: Using the Toxics Release Inventory.”13 July 1995 

The TRI 

58

Literature Cited

1. Linda Wunderlich, An Overview of the Uses of the Toxics Release Inventory Data in the 

U.S., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 

(Washington DC: 1995). 

2. Eugene Toxics Right to Know Program, Eugene Fire and Emergency Medical Services 

Department, 07 January 2002 <http:www.ci.eugene.or.us/firedept/toxics/toxicsb.htm>. 

3. Katherine Jennrich, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, telephone interview with 

Mildred Meyers, South Carolina Environmental Watch 26 July 2000. 

4. Katherine Jennrich, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, personal interview with 

Marylee Orr, Louisiana Environmental Action Network, 21 July 2000. 

5. “Taking Stock: 1996,” Commission for Environmental Cooperation, January 2002 

<http://www.cec.org/home/index.cfm?varlan=english>. 

6. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9: Cross-Media Division, A Citizen’s 

Guide to Reducing Toxic Risks: Putting the Toxics Release Inventory to Work! (EPA # 

909-B-98-001, Washington DC, 1998). 

7. L. Manthe, “What Information Do Our communities Need: Native Nations,” Toxics 

Release Inventory and Right-to-Know Conference Proceedings, (EPA #749-R-98-001, 

Washington DC, 1997: 104-108). 

8. 1999 Silicon Valley Environmental Index, 1999, Silicon Valley Environmental 

Partnership, 07 January 2003, 

<http://www.webcom.com/2sustain/.page_creator/indeximp.html>. 

9. Katherine Jennrich, personal interview with Wilma Subra, 21 July 2000. 

10. “Several Web Sites Help Users with TRI Data Analysis,” Community Right-to-Know 

Manual Bulletin, 12.2, January 1999: 1-3. 

11. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, A Citizen’s Guide to Reducing Toxic Risks: 

Putting the Toxics Release Inventory to Work! 1998. 

12. “Several Web Sites Help Users with TRI Data Analysis,” 1999. 

13. “Part I: Great Lakes Report on Hormone Disrupting Chemicals,” Environmental 

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Information Center, Washington DC, June 1997: 1-6. 

60
14. “Polluting our Future: Chemical Pollution in the United States that Affects Child 

Development and Learning,” September 2002 National Environment Trust, Physicians 

for Social Responsibility, and The Learning Disabilities, 07 January 2002 

<http://www.psr.org/trireport.pdf>. 

15. Proposal for Computer-Based Training Program, (Detroit: International Union, United 

Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America). 

16. “First Neighborhood ‘Right-to-Act’ Law,” Community Right-to-Know Bulletin, 11.11, 

October 1998: 1-2. 

17. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, A Citizen’s Guide to Reducing Toxic Risks: 

Putting the Toxics Release Inventory to Work! 1998. 

18. “Agreements Target Zero Discharge,” Working Notes on Community Right-to-Know, 

January/February, 1996: 1-2. 

19. “Industrial Giant Agrees to Zero Discharge Pact with Activist,” Calhoun County 

Resource Watch, Press advisory, August 1995. 

20. “Agreements Target Zero Discharge,” 1996. 

21. Mark deKiewiet, letter Dianne Wilson. 7 March 2000. 

22. “Protecting Pennsylvania’s Waterways,” Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group 

(PennPIRG), 1999. 

23. Don Hopey, “PA. Ranks 2nd Worst in Toxic Dumping,” 18 February 2000; “Editorial: 

Dubious Achievement,” 31 May 2000; “Polluter to Pick Up Water Bill,” 7 June 2000; 

“EPA’s Strict Water Safeguards Bring Collective Sigh of Relief in Zelienople,” 8 June 

2000; “Editorial: Unfit to Drink,” 13 June 2000, Post-Gazette.Com 07 January 2003 

<http://www.post-gazette.com/healthscience/20000218pollute2.asp>. 

24. “The Right Stuff: Using the Toxics Release Inventory, OMB Watch and the Unison 

Institute, 13 July 1995. 

25. John McQuaid, “Q&A: What is Environmental Justice?” 21 May 2000, NOLA Live, 07 

January 2002, 

<http://www.nolalive.com/speced/unwelcome/index.ssf?/unwelcome/stories/05221qa.ht 

ml> 

26. Katherine Jennrich, personal interview with Wilma Subra, 20 July 2000. 

61
27. “Breathing Poison: The Toxic Costs of Industries in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana,” June 

2000, Mossville Environmental Action Network, 07 January 2002 

<http://www.mapCruzin.com/mossville/reportondioxin.htm>. 

28. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, A Citizen’s Guide to Reducing Toxic Risks: 

Putting the Toxics Release Inventory to Work! 1998. 

29. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, A Citizen’s Guide to Reducing Toxic Risks: 

Putting the Toxics Release Inventory to Work! 1998. 

30. John Harman, EPA/TRI Program, electronic mail to Maria Doa, EPA/TRI Program 

Director, 20 November 2000. 

31. John Pine, Toxics Release Inventory and Right-to-Know Conference Proceedings, 1997. 

32. Elana Varon, “Power to the People: Activists tap EPA’s pollutants database for 

environmental clean-up,” Federal Computer Week 30 March 1998, 07 January 2002 

<http://www.fcw.com/print.asp>. 

33. Varon, Federal Computer Week, 1998. 

34. Safety Health and The Environment, January 2002, Boeing Company Web Site, 07 

January 2003 

<http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/environment/eval_results.htm>. 

35. Monsanto Environmental Safety and Health Data, 1998, Monsanto Home Page, January 

2002 <http://www.monsanto.com/monsanto/sustain_98/esh_performance/default.htm>. 

36. Francine Madden and Bettina Carcigil, TRI Toolkit, Mineral Policy Center, 2000: 1-4. 

37. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, State Directory: 33/50 and Voluntary Pollution 

Prevention Program, 1993, (EPA # 745-K 93-002, Washington DC, October 1993). 

38. Governor O'Bannon's Toxic Reduction Challenge, 1998, Indiana Department of 

Environmental Management, 07 January 2002 

<http://www.in.gov/idem/oppta/p2/toxicchallenge/>. 

39. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add 

Certain Industry Groups to ECPRA Section 313, (Washington DC, 1997). 

40. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add 

Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, 1997. 

62
41. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add 

Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, 1997. 

42. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Economic Analysis of the Final Rule to Add 

Certain Industry Groups to EPCRA Section 313, 1997. 

43. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). Wunderlich, Linda (prepared for 

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