In a report released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it appears that the levels of some key toxins are decreasing due to the efforts of the agency.
According to the report, the environmental releases of TRI chemicals by facilities that are monitored by the program declined 10% between 2019 and 2020, a figure that the agency sees as rather encouraging.
“EPA is encouraged by the continued decrease in releases of toxic chemicals reported to the Toxics Release Inventory. Making this information publicly available also incentivizes companies to reduce pollution and gives communities tools to act locally – particularly underserved communities that have historically been disproportionately impacted by pollution,” Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff said.
The TRI National Analysis is a summary of TRI chemical waste management activities and reports on 21,000 facilities and over 800 chemicals that are released into the environment.
This year, the agency enhanced the report to make it more accessible and readable for the public and lawmakers. The increased access to this information will earn the data more attention, the EPA hopes.
To further assist with decreasing the levels of toxic chemicals released into the environment, the EPA is offering $23 million in grant funding opportunities for states and tribes.
