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Improve the quality of Washington's natural resources

Indicator 1: Reducing Impacts on the Environment.

Measure c: Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Releases

Description:

Toxic Releases in Washington State

Facilities in Washington that store a certain amount of a hazardous chemical must report annually to the Department of Ecology. Toxic chemical release reporting is tracked through an annual summary, the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). Over 600 chemical compounds and/or chemical categories are reported under TRI. Reporting requirements may change over time; reporting thresholds may change and industrial sectors may be added. The large increase in land releases in 2004 was due to the opening of the Pend Oreille mine.

Millions of Pounds of Toxins Released
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006
Air
24.8
23.5
21.7
23.4
20.7
20.0
14.8
12.8
12.0
10.1
9.8
Water
2.9
2.6
2.3
3.1
3.1
2.8
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.3
2.1
Land
0.1
0.1
0.3
4.3
2.4
4.2
5.2
6.4
15.7
21.1
15.5

Source:

Department of Ecology - Annual TRI Reports