The nonprofit Environmental Integrity Project used TRI data to identify an 8% increase in benzene emissions from refineries between 2007 and 2008. But the figures may be too low due to problematic underreporting to TRI.
The EPA released its "National Analysis" of Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data. This is the earliest release and analysis of the data in the history of the TRI program. The "National Analysis" replaces what used to be known as the Public Data Release (PDR). Both the number of facilities reporting and the amount of releases declined in 2008.
An analysis of TRI data shows industrial facilities dumped 232 million pounds of toxic chemicals into more than 1,900 American waterways in all 50 states during 2007. The report ranks the Ohio River first for toxic discharges, followed by the New River and the Mississippi River.
EPA has opened a new public forum on the agency's blog to gather ideas for a new TRI reporting rule for metal mines. Comments will be received through November 25, 2009.
The EPA has completed its "Early Release" of raw TRI data for 2008. With this latest update, the data set is complete. The agency plans to release its National Analysis of the data sometime in December 2009.
The USA Today reports on the fallout to date from its expose on the risks of toxic air pollution near schools. EPA and local officials expanded air monitoring around schools, and legal challenges continue.
EPA has released preliminary 2008 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data, the earliest release of data in the program's history. EPA has not yet analyzed the data, which are in "raw" form and about 85% complete.
On March 11, President Barack Obama signed into law a restoration of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), reversing changes made by the Bush administration that had weakened the program. Read more here.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking steps toward improving public access to pollution information and is seeking ideas from the public for improving the Toxics Release Inventory.
According to the Washington Post, the EPA "informed BP officials...that the company has 24 hours to choose a less-toxic form of chemical dispersants to break up its oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico...and must apply the new form of dispersants within 72 hours of submitting the list of alternatives." Of course, there's still a lot of information we don't know about these chemicals...
The EPA launched a new "Rulemaking Gateway" to improve the public's ability to search, understand, and comment on the rules being considered by the agency. This new website complements the government-wide www.regulations.gov, which recently was redesigned.
A report released in November 2008 by the NRDC Health Program documents many examples of Bush Administration budget cuts to key data collection programs that monitor hazardous pollutants in our air, water, food, and even our bodies.