A public database containing the total amounts of toxic chemicals that are routinely released into the air, water, and soil each year from about 30,000 industrial, particularly manufacturing, facilities in the United States. Firms that use or emit any of about 667 listed chemicals in quantities over specified thresholds are required to provide the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states, and the public with estimates of the amount of each chemical stored or used at the firm, the amount emitted, including permitted releases, and other information. This inventory is required under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 and has been compiled annually since 1987. It excludes, however, federal facilities; oil, gas, and mining industries; agricultural activities; and small firms. The most recent inventory lists about 20 billion lb (9.1 billion kg) of emissions annually, roughly 5% of the United States total toxic emissions as estimated by the U.S. Office of Technology Assessment. The inventory has not been verified using independent sources. The Toxics Release Inventory has helped to support new legislation (e.g., pollution prevention programs), provide data for agency projects (cancer studies); track toxic chemical estimates; regulate toxic chemicals; and screen environmental risks.

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Toxics Release Inventory, , (202) 566-0250, Email: tri.us@epa.gov,