2004 TRI Data Shows Increase In Water Pollution
Environment Colorado
DENVER—Toxic releases to U.S. waterways increased by 10% between 2003 and 2004, pollution, according to Environment Colorado’s analysis of Toxics Release Inventory data released today. In total, U.S. facilities released more than 4.25 billion pounds of toxic chemicals to air, water, and land in 2004, an overall decrease from 2003.
“The good news is that overall decreases show that the TRI program works,” said Matt Garrington, Field Organizer for Environment Colorado. “But the increase in toxic water pollution shows that, now more than ever, Congress must act to pass the Clean Water Restoration Act, and protect all U.S. waterways.”
Environment Colorado examined the TRI data for increases or decreases in pollution from 2003 to 2004. Here in Colorado, pollution increased from 2003 to 2004 by 8%.
“Unfortunately, this may be one of the last years when the public gets a complete picture of toxic pollution,” said Garrington. “If EPA’s proposal to gut the program moves forward, the public won’t receive this kind of detailed local information in the future.”
EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson proposed changes to the Toxics Release Inventory Program (TRI) in October 2005 that will significantly decrease the information that the public and state and local officials have about harmful chemicals released into water, air, and land. These changes to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) would be three-fold:
• A rule to propose that companies be allowed to release ten times as much pollution before they are required to report their releases;
• A rule that would allow companies to withhold information about some of the most dangerous chemicals, such as lead and mercury;
• A notification to Congress that Administrator Johnson intends to release a rule next fall to change the frequency of reporting to the program from every year to every other year.
EPA received more than 100,000 public comments on its proposed rule, and initial analysis shows that the vast majority oppose the changes.
The TRI program is a pollution disclosure program. Since 1987, companies have been required to report toxic releases to air, land, and water, as well as toxic waste that is treated, burned, recycled, or disposed of. Approximately 26,000 industrial facilities report information about any of the 650 chemicals in the program.
The Toxics Release Inventory has been credited with a wide range of successes. Since the TRI program began, disposals or releases of the original 299 chemicals tracked have dropped 57% percent. An Environment Colorado Research and Policy Fund analysis showed that releases of chemicals linked to health effects have decreased as well. Between 1995 and 2000, releases to air and water of chemicals known to cause cancer declined by 41 percent.
More than 230 organizations, including environmental groups, public health groups, religious organizations, investment groups, and professors have opposed these changes. In addition, twelve Attorneys General, state legislators and state regulators from across the country have weighed in to oppose these changes.
“Environment Colorado calls on the Colorado congressional delegation to defend this right-to-know program,” said Garrington. “EPA is on the wrong track, and Congress must redirect their attention toward reducing pollution and protecting public health.”
TRI On-site and Off-site Releases (in pounds), All Industries, All Chemicals, By State
Rank (% Change)
State
Total On- and Off-site Disposal or Other Releases (2003)
Total On- and Off-site Disposal or Other Releases (2004)
% Change
14
Alabama
116,147,277
122,898,912
5.8%
33
Alaska
539,644,265
512,278,274
-5.1%
5
Arizona
48,154,445
56,616,157
17.6%
4
Arkansas
40,475,567
49,458,661
22.2%
46
California
57,706,319
46,577,651
-19.3%
10
Colorado
22,494,608
24,293,017
8.0%
36
Connecticut
5,356,715
5,040,897
-5.9%
16
Delaware
13,555,253
14,170,154
4.5%
47
District of Columbia
13,788
10,547
-23.5%
28
Florida
126,135,669
123,354,510
-2.2%
34
Georgia
125,591,048
118,689,041
-5.5%
22
Hawaii
3,167,748
3,168,321
0.0%
17
Idaho
61,524,493
64,095,438
4.2%
19
Illinois
131,778,756
135,002,481
2.4%
18
Indiana
233,320,757
239,410,327
2.6%
6
Iowa
37,428,556
43,070,483
15.1%
21
Kansas
25,439,979
25,789,941
1.4%
15
Kentucky
90,976,040
95,918,699
5.4%
12
Louisiana
125,254,276
132,936,323
6.1%
7
Maine
9,315,305
10,540,173
13.1%
32
Maryland
45,387,893
43,627,644
-3.9%
23
Massachusetts
8,824,178
8,784,065
-0.5%
35
Michigan
104,202,452
98,265,413
-5.7%
43
Minnesota
31,215,583
26,163,130
-16.2%
9
Mississippi
66,693,022
73,743,468
10.6%
3
Missouri
102,370,760
127,954,937
25.0%
2
Montana
45,707,370
61,090,768
33.7%
37
Nebraska
41,442,248
38,814,754
-6.3%
50
Nevada
402,473,695
269,304,058
-33.1%
41
New Hampshire
5,813,380
5,249,370
-9.7%
38
New Jersey
22,823,576
21,281,420
-6.8%
51
New Mexico
17,889,536
10,701,908
-40.2%
31
New York
43,782,731
42,408,344
-3.1%
20
North Carolina
131,604,901
133,457,534
1.4%
26
North Dakota
23,340,605
22,929,009
-1.8%
27
Ohio
250,091,745
244,829,697
-2.1%
24
Oklahoma
29,831,315
29,552,863
-0.9%
29
Oregon
40,681,402
39,747,758
-2.3%
30
Pennsylvania
165,657,349
160,612,450
-3.0%
48
Rhode Island
790,272
598,933
-24.2%
39
South Carolina
87,432,611
80,827,375
-7.6%
45
South Dakota
10,299,264
8,546,378
-17.0%
8
Tennessee
141,790,739
157,770,452
11.3%
13
Texas
261,791,365
277,538,322
6.0%
49
Utah
243,482,444
167,837,425
-31.1%
11
Vermont
342,839
364,985
6.5%
25
Virginia
72,736,435
71,833,490
-1.2%
1
Washington
22,552,909
32,798,429
45.4%
42
West Virginia
101,664,346
91,597,010
-9.9%
40
Wisconsin
49,862,825
46,008,984
-7.7%
44
Wyoming
19,264,703
16,132,036
-16.3%
Total*
4,415,704,240
4,244,378,005
-3.9%
* Includes American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands