TRI Questions? Contact the TRI Information Center at 1-800-424-9346 (select option 3)

Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)

What is TRI?

TRI is a publicly-accessible EPA database containing information on 

disposal and other releases of over 650 toxic chemicals from more than 

20,000 U.S. industrial facilities. 

The database also includes information on how facilities manage 

chemicals through recycling, energy recovery and treatment. 

TRI was established in 1986 by Section 313 of the Emergency Planning 

and Community Right-to-Know Act and later expanded by the Pollution 

Prevention Act of 1990.

The goal of TRI is to provide communities with information about toxic 

chemical releases and waste management activities and to support 

informed decision-making by industry, government, non-governmental 

organizations and the public. 

Data are submitted annually by U.S. facilities that 

meet TRI reporting criteria. 

TRI data can be downloaded or accessed through 

a variety of analytical tools and applications.

What does TRI provide?

TRI includes information about:

 On-site releases and other disposal of toxic 

chemicals to air, surface water and land; 

 On-site recycling, treatment and energy recovery associated with 

TRI chemicals; 

 Off-site transfers of toxic chemicals from TRI facilities to other 

locations;

 Pollution prevention activities at facilities;

 Releases of lead, mercury, dioxin and other persistent, 

bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals; and

 Facilities in a variety of industry sectors (including manufacturing, 

metal mining, and electric power generation) and some federal 

facilities. 

“TRI has led the way on 

right-to-know issues ... and 

is a vital information 

source” –

EPA Administrator 

Lisa P. Jackson

Useful Links:

EPA

 TRI homepage: 

www.epa.gov/tri

 Chemical Right-to-Know 

Collaborative Forum: 

www.chemicalright2know.org

(EPA & the Environmental 

Council of the States)

Non-EPA

 TOXMAP by National Library 

of Medicine: 

www.toxmap.nlm.nih.gov
Full list of TRI tools: www.epa.gov/tri/tritools

TRI National Analysis: www.epa.gov/tri/NationalAnalysis

Limitations of TRI Data:

TRI data do not reflect:

• Releases of toxic 

chemicals not 

included on the TRI 

chemical list 

• Releases from 

facilities in industry 

sectors not covered 

by the TRI Program

• Risks to human 

health and the 

environment

TRI facilities report the 

best readily available 

data to EPA.

TRI Data Use

How can TRI data be used?

 To identify sources of toxic chemical releases

 To begin analyzing potential toxic chemical hazards to human health 

and the environment 

 To encourage pollution prevention at facilities

Who uses TRI data?

 Individuals, communities and environmental groups

 Governmental agencies

 Academic and investment communities

 News media

 Industry groups

What do the TRI data show at the national level? 

Accessing and Analyzing TRI Data

Multiple Web-based tools and applications provide easy access to TRI data and related analyses:

 myRTK: For use on cell phones or desktop computers. Maps TRI facilities and displays identities and quantities of 

chemicals being released. Includes potential adverse health effects, facility enforcement history, and other 

contextual information.

 TRI Explorer: For use on desktop computers. Provides access to TRI data on chemicals, facilities, geographic 

areas, and industry sectors.

 TRI.NET: Downloadable application for use on desktop computers. Supports in-depth analyses and includes 

mapping capabilities.

 Envirofacts: For use on desktop computers. Provides access to TRI and other EPA datasets related to air, water, 

and land.

On-site and Off-site 

Disposal or Other 

Releases:

In billions 

of pounds

On-site: 3.67

- Air: 0.80

- Water: 0.22

- Land: 2.44

- Underground 

Injection: 0.22

Off-site: 0.41

Total: 4.09

Quick Facts for 2011