The EPA's TRI is an annual measure of toxic chemical releases, transfers, and waste generated by facilities throughout the United States. Facilities are also required to report on pollution prevention activities and chemical recycling. Based on the premise that people have a right to know about toxic chemical releases in their neighborhoods, EPA collects industry reports and publishes the data through a range of public information resources. These reports put information about industrial facilities into the hands of people that live and work nearby.
People have a right to know what is released into the air, land and water in their neighborhoods.
The manufacturing industries have been reporting their toxic releases since 1987 and federal facilities started reporting in 1995. These industries range from chemical manufacturers to smelters to paper mills. Nationally, the reported data have shown significant decreases in toxic releases over the last two years. In the Pacific Southwest, the same trend was especially pronounced in California and Hawaii. These reductions are great news for communities and represent continuing innovation on the part of facilities.