May 12, 2005

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today announced that information on toxic chemicals, either released or managed as waste by Michigan facilities in 2003, is now available. The Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI) data is reported annually to the state under the federal Emergency Planning and the Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986.

Total releases and disposal of TRI chemicals in Michigan showed a sharp decline in 2003. The data shows the total discharges in the state to be 101 million pounds for the year, a decrease of over 32 million pounds from 2002, or 24 percent. The data includes air releases, discharges to surface waters, disposal to land and to underground injection wells at the facility, and transfers off site for disposal.

“Michigan’s business community continues to reduce the amount of hazardous materials managed and released to the environment,” said Director Chester. “The Toxic Chemical Release Inventory remains a valuable tool for those citizens who want to know about toxic and hazardous chemicals used, stored, and released in their own community.”

Certain facilities must submit reports annually on specific toxic chemicals and must report the quantities released and managed as waste. The data is compiled and made available to the public who can obtain information specific to facilities in their community. In Michigan, over 900 facilities submitted reports for 2003, the most recent reporting year.

Details about Michigan’s TRI data are available on the Internet at www.michigan.gov/deqsara. Trends and summary reports are listed, and TRI data for 1996 through 2002 can be searched. The Environmental Protection Agency, Toxics Release Inventory Program Internet address is www.epa.gov/tri. This site has laws and regulations, guidance documents, and other information about the Toxics Release Inventory as well as TRI data.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised May 12, 2005 by Pat Watson