The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday unveiled its 2022 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, revealing a notable 21% reduction in environmental releases of TRI chemicals from covered facilities since 2013, including a significant 26% decrease in air emissions.
The report underscores a simultaneous decrease in pollution alongside a 14% growth in the U.S. manufacturing sector's economic output.
This year's analysis also highlighted a 24% reduction in production-related waste management from TRI facilities in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight Indian Nations since 2013. In 2022 alone, these regions (collectively known as Region 2) managed 94% of their waste through preferred methods like treatment, energy recovery, and recycling, limiting environmental releases to only 6%. Total releases and disposals in Region 2 amounted to 34.1 million pounds.
Furthermore, the EPA's report detailed that in 2022, 11% of facilities in Region 2 undertook new pollution prevention initiatives, surpassing the national average of 8%. The most frequent improvements included operational changes and enhanced training programs.
Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia emphasized the significance of the TRI data in informing communities about local toxic chemical use. “Toxics Release Inventory data continues to ensure the community's right to know the information about toxic chemicals manufactured, processed, or used at facilities in their neighborhoods," Garcia stated. She affirmed the EPA's commitment to refining this critical resource for public empowerment.
Nationwide, the TRI National Analysis for 2022 showed that 88.5% of TRI chemical waste was managed through recycling, energy recovery, and treatment processes, with 11.5% released into the environment. The analysis reflects data submitted by over 21,000 facilities across various sectors, including manufacturing, mining, and electric utilities.
The 2022 report introduces enhanced visual and analytical tools to facilitate community access to this vital information. Using the "Where You Live" mapping feature, individuals can explore data by state, Tribe, metropolitan area, EPA region, and watershed. This tool also integrates demographic information to spotlight potential chemical exposure risks, particularly in burdened communities.
In addition to identifying trends in waste management across specific sectors and chemicals, the 2022 analysis spotlights the primary metals manufacturing sector, alongside profiles for electric utilities, chemical manufacturing, and metal mining.
To further educate the public on these findings, the EPA has scheduled a public webinar for Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET, offering a comprehensive overview of the 2022 TRI National Analysis and its implications for environmental safety and community health. Registration for the webinar is open to all interested parties.
