Steve De Vito: US Toxics Release Inventory

The Toxics Release Inventory

Past, Present, and Future Directions

By

Stephen C. DeVito, Ph.D., R.Ph.

U.S. EPA

October, 2012

04/10/2023 1

04/10/2023 2

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI

Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters

Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

EP

CR

A

1988: 2nd year of TRI reporting under Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988

Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters

Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

04/10/2023 3

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-1989


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

EP

CR

A

04/10/2023 4

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-1990


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

EP

CR

A

04/10/2023 5

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-1991


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

PP

A

EP

CR

A

1991: Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) adds waste management reporting to TRI.

04/10/2023 6

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-1992


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

PP

A

EP

CR

A

04/10/2023 7

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-1993


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

PP

A

EP

CR

A

04/10/2023 8

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-1994


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

PP

A

EP

CR

A

04/10/2023 9

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-1995


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

PP

A

CH

EM

ICA

LS

EP

CR

A

1995: Chemical expansion adds close to 300 chemicals to TRI.

04/10/2023 10

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-1996


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

PP

A

CH

EM

ICA

LS

EP

CR

A

04/10/2023 11

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-1997


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

PP

A

CH

EM

ICA

LS

EP

CR

A

04/10/2023 12

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-1998


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

PP

A

CH

EM

ICA

LS

EP

CR

A

SE

CT

OR

S

1998: Seven industry sectors are added to TRI – metal mining, coal mining, electric utilities, chemical wholesale distributors, petroleum bulk storage/terminals, hazardous waste management facilities, and solvent recovery facilities.

04/10/2023 13

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-1999


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

PP

A

CH

EM

ICA

LS

EP

CR

A

SE

CT

OR

S

04/10/2023 14

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-2000


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

PP

A

CH

EM

ICA

LS

EP

CR

A

SE

CT

OR

S

PB

Ts

2000: Persistent bioaccumulative toxic (PBT) chemicals are added to TRI and the reporting thresholds are lowered for both recently added PBT chemicals and most previously covered PBT chemicals.

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-2001


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

04/10/2023 15

PP

A

CH

EM

ICA

LS

EP

CR

A

SE

CT

OR

S

PB

Ts

LE

AD

2001: The reporting thresholds are lowered for Lead and Lead Compounds, PBT chemicals.

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-2002


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

04/10/2023 16

PP

A

CH

EM

ICA

LS

EP

CR

A

SE

CT

OR

S

PB

Ts

LE

AD

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-2003


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

04/10/2023 17

PP

A

CH

EM

ICA

LS

EP

CR

A

SE

CT

OR

S

PB

Ts

LE

AD

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-2004


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

04/10/2023 18

PP

A

CH

EM

ICA

LS

EP

CR

A

SE

CT

OR

S

PB

Ts

LE

AD

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-2005


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

04/10/2023 19

PP

A

CH

EM

ICA

LS

EP

CR

A

SE

CT

OR

S

PB

Ts

LE

AD

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-2006


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

04/10/2023 20

PP

A

CH

EM

ICA

LS

EP

CR

A

SE

CT

OR

S

PB

Ts

LE

AD

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-2007


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

04/10/2023 21

PP

A

CH

EM

ICA

LS

EP

CR

A

SE

CT

OR

S

PB

Ts

LE

AD

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI Trends: 1988-2008


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

04/10/2023 22

PP

A

CH

EM

ICA

LS

EP

CR

A

SE

CT

OR

S

PB

Ts

LE

AD

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0

5

10

15

20

25

30TRI


Poun

ds (b

illio

ns)

Repo

rter

s (T

hous

ands

)

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

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30TRI Trends: 1988-2009


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30TRI Trends: 1988-2010


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PP

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PP

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TRI Explorer

First streamlined Public Data

Release Report

Data released to the public shortly after they were

submitted("e-FDR“)

TRI-MEweb piloted

First Public Data Release in same year as data were

submitted

myRTK

TRI.net

TRI-ME TRI-MEweb implemented

We have come a long way !

• The TRI has evolved considerably since the passage of EPCRA in 1986:– reported chemical release and other waste

management quantities has declined steadily.– Access to TRI data has been greatly enhanced;

• Newly submitted data are now in the hands of the public within a few weeks rather than nearly two years;

• A diverse suite of tools now exists for analyzing the data.

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We have come a long way !

• Dramatic improvements have also been made to:– The data submission process;– The quality of TRI data, and – how TRI information can be accessed, analyzed and

used by communities, academics, non-profits, industry and others.

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The TRI has Impacted the World !• The TRI was the very first public pollutant

release transfer registry (PRTR);• There are now at least 50 countries that have

a PRTR program;– Most were modeled after the TRI

• More countries are expected to start PRTRs– Particularly in South America and Central America

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Countries that Have PRTR Programs

29

Countries that Have PRTR Programs, or Pilot PRTR Programs:

30

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

As for the Future ?

• EPA is committed to continue to draw upon the ongoing advancements in information technology to:– improve the accessibility and quality of TRI data;– make TRI available sooner;– address ever-evolving user needs.

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Information Technology

As for the Future ?

• Emphasis is expected to be placed on how communities can use TRI data to effect change:– Further engagement with communities;– Engagement with colleges and universities.– What communities can do to make TRI data and

information more actionable.

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Communities

As for the Future ?

Ever growing emphasis on it worldwide.

33

Sept., 2011: National Academy of Sciences book.

Recommends EPA to :- formally adopt a sustainability paradigm;- articulate its vision for sustainability, and develop sustainability principles.

Sustainable Development

As for the Future ?

• People, regulatory authorities and other organizations will turn to the TRI as a means to assess progress towards sustainability;– TRI collects pollution prevention information.

• The role of TRI data and information in sustainability will therefore need to be better defined.

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As for the Future ?

• There will also be a need to assess progress in sustainability:– On a continental level;– On a global level.

• PRTR data from different countries will need to be combined and viewed and analyzed more from a continental and global context.

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As for the Future ?• To use PRTR data globally…..

– existing PRTR data will need to be more comparable (this will be difficult);

– Emerging PRTRs will need to be constructed such that the data they collect will be readily comparable with existing PRTRs

• There will be a need to analyze PRTR datasets with other datasets– Do we know how to mash-up PRTR data sets

with other datasets ?

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