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The Priority Chemical Query Tool: Using Data from the National Priority Chemicals Trends Report
What is the Priority Chemical Query Tool?
The Priority Chemical Query Tool is a powerful tool used to retrieve and manipulate data on Priority Chemicals (PCs) reported to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) by industrial facilities. This data was also used to develop the National Priority Chemicals Trends Report. The Query Tool is intended for a technical audience familiar with the data described in the Trends Report, but anyone can access the help page to learn how to use it.What is the National Priority Chemicals Trends Report?
The National Priority Chemicals Trends Report analyzes trends related to the management of 24 PCs found in industrial wastes in the United States. EPA has targeted PCs for reduction because they are persistent, highly toxic, and can accumulate in living organisms. Although we have identified a total of 31 PCs, this query tool and the Trends Report only address the 24 PCs that are reported to TRI. The Trends Report also tracks progress toward achieving EPA's Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goal of reducing PCs in waste and identifies opportunities to reduce PCs in conjunction with the objectives of the Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC), including identifying potential partners for the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP).What data does the Priority Chemical Query Tool Provide?
EPA selected TRI as the primary data source to measure the generation, release, and management of PCs. The TRI is a publicly available EPA database that contains information on more than 650 toxic chemicals that are manufactured, treated, transported, or released into the environment. Priority chemical quantities consist of those quantities that are reported as onsite/offsite disposal, treatment, or energy recovery by TRI facilities. Because this tool was designed to assist in the evaluation of waste management practices, it does not include information reported to TRI on releases to air and water. The query tool uses data reported to TRI by facilities from 2001 through 2005. See the Trends Report for a discussion of the methodology used to calculate the PC quantities.How can I use the Query Tool?
There are a variety of options available to you. You can search for summary or facility-specific information by individual PC, EPA Region, state or territory, industry sector, or a combination of these. Visit our Query Tool help page for more information on how to use the Query Tool. Depending on which option you choose, a list of facilities reporting PCs or a summary analysis based on your search will appear in the result pages. The following are some examples of searches you can perform:
- What PCs were reported to the TRI in your state or region and in what amounts.
- How much of a specific PC was reported to the TRI in your state or region.
- The total amount of all PCs reported in your state or region.
- Which industry sectors in your state or region report the most PCs to the TRI.
- Which facilities in your state or region report the most PCs to the TRI.
- Enter Priority Chemical Query Tool
