However, TRI data alone cannot be used to indicate specific risks to health and safety.
Some chemicals are far more dangerous than others.
The rate of release, method of release, as well as the travel characteristics of the chemical will affect exposure and personal risk. The Scorecards are intended to show, in general, the trends in releases and transfers of toxic chemicals from manufacturing facilities in Pennsylvania. The following discussions cover the traditional reporting facilities, that is, the manufacturers within SIC codes 20-39. Local releases of TRI chemicals in 1999 show an almost 80 percent decline since reporting began. The drop in local releases has been pushed by efforts to reduce the OSHA carcinogens.