What is a release?
Releases in TRI are classified as either "on-site" or "off-site."
On-site release: The amount of a toxic chemical a facility emits or disposes to air, water, or land.
Off-site release: The amount transferred off site for disposal; it also includes metals released into wastewater that goes to a publicly owned treatment works (POTW).
How is this data used?
TRI is used to better understand:
- Potential risks from chemical releases
- Improve safety
- Protect the environment
Environmental justice
National and regional environmental justice studies, including the Environmental Equity Study In Washington State, have used TRI data to demonstrate a pattern of low-income communities and people of color living disproportionately near industrial facilities.
For information about Ecology’s work regarding environmental justice and its relationship to TRI, contact Millie Piazza at 360-407-6177.
TRI data over time
The data serve as an indicator of environmental progress over time. Federal, state, and local governments have used TRI to set priorities, measure progress, and target areas of special and immediate concern. For example, TRI data are used to measure pollution trends from specific industries. It shows trends of whether industrial pollution is going up or down and helps identify whether reduction targets are being met.
TRI is one indicator used in the Washington Beyond Waste and Toxics Progress Report to track progress toward reducing wastes and toxics.
Large releases at Pend Oreille Mine has significant impact on Washington's total TRI numbers. The Pend Oreille Mine reported large amounts of land releases from 2004 to 2009. As production at the mine decreased, so did Washington's total land releases. The mine stopped operating in early 2009, but reopened in December 2014. TRI releases from the mine have increased each year since 2014 as production from the mine has increased. The mine released 14.8 million pounds of TRI chemicals (mostly zinc compounds) in 2016, nearly half (48.9 percent) of Washington's 30.2 million-pound total.
Exposure
TRI data does not show if or to what degree the public is exposed to listed chemicals. Exposure to a chemical depends on many factors that fall outside of the scope of TRI data.
Toxicity
TRI chemicals vary widely in toxicity. While it may seem like a large release of a chemical is more serious than a small one, it depends on the nature of the chemical. For example, dioxins are highly toxic in small amounts.
Not all toxics are reported
TRI data can only provide information about toxic chemicals included on the TRI chemical list for specific industry sectors.
Examples of releases that TRI doesn't include:
- Emissions from vehicles
- Pesticides used in agriculture
- Toxic chemicals found in personal care products
- Household pharmaceuticals that are disposed down the drain or placed in landfills
- Pollution released by service businesses such as dry cleaners or auto service stations