March 23, 2007

The Department of Environmental Quality announced today that information on toxic chemicals, either released or managed as waste by Michigan facilities in 2005, 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, which includes disposal to landfills, increased in 2005 by almost 4 percent from the previous year. The data shows the total in the state to be 102 million pounds for the year, an increase of 3.5 million pounds statewide. Facilities also reported 225 million pounds of toxic chemicals transferred for recycling, treatment, or used for energy recovery, a 13 percent reduction over 2004. Overall, the quantities of toxic chemicals released, disposed, or managed as waste in Michigan decreased from 2004 to 2005.

Certain facilities must report the quantities of specific toxic chemicals released and disposed, as well as the amount contained in wastes managed on-site or transferred off-site to other locations. A report must be submitted for each toxic chemical manufactured, processed, or otherwise used above a certain threshold. 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 2005, 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 2005 can be searched. The Environmental Protection Agency, Toxics Release Inventory Program Internet site has laws and regulations, guidance documents, and other information about the Toxics Release Inventory as well as TRI data available at www.epa.gov/tri.

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

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised March 23, 2007 by Pat Watson