EPA Announces Plan to Update Toxics Release Inventory to Advance Environmental Justice

EPA announced that it will be taking important steps under the Toxics release Inventory (TRI) to advance Environmental Justice, improve transparency, and increase access to environmental information. The comprehensive plan includes expanding the scope of TRI reporting requirements to include additional chemicals and facilities, including ethylene oxide (EtO) releases and PFAS.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan stated that “By requiring new and more data on chemical releases from facilities, EPA and its partners will be better equipped to protect the health of every individual, including people of color and low-income communities that are often located near these facilities but have been left out of the conversation for too long.”

Specifically, by including certain contract sterilizers using EtO, EPA recognizes the potential concerns about the effects of EtO on human health, including cancer and the environment. Many of these contract sterilization facilities are located near areas with Environmental Justice concerns.  In addition, workers in facilities that use EtO and communities – including historically underserved communities – living adjacent to these facilities are at the highest risks from exposure to EtO.  Making more information available about releases of EtO will assist the agency in identifying and responding to any human health and environmental threats they cause.

This effort will also expand TRI reporting to advance environmental justice for:

• natural gas processing facilities,
• new PFAS compounds consistent with the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and
• chemicals included in the TSCA workplan and other substances designated as high-priority substances under TSCA.

More information on EPA’s expansion of TRI reporting to advance environmental justice is available at: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-plan-update-toxics-release-inventory-advance-environmental-justice.  If you have any questions or would like more information on this topic, please contact Jeff Hannapel at jhannapel@thepolicygroup.com.

This update is courtesy of the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF). For more information or to become a member, visit nasf.org.