At San-Assure, passionately embrace products that do not harm the environment. We are proud that our product effectively disinfects without creating a toxic wasteland or drug-resistant superbugs. 

This Friday, in the sea of bad news, let's celebrate a bit of good news: 

Today, March 21, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its 2022 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis showing that environmental releases of TRI chemicals from facilities covered by the program were 21% lower in 2022 compared to 2013. This includes a 26% decrease in air releases. During this 10-year period, releases from manufacturing facilities decreased by 9% while the value added to the U.S. economy from manufacturing increased by 14%. While overall releases increased by 1% from 2021 to 2022, there was a 6.5% increase in the number of pollution prevention activities reported under the TRI program compared to 2021. 

The 2022 TRI National Analysis summarizes environmental releases of TRI chemicals, as well as how facilities managed their waste. In 2022, facilities reported managing 88.5% of their TRI chemical waste through preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery and treatment, while releasing 11.5% of their TRI chemical waste into the environment.

“Communities have a right to know how facilities in their backyards might be exposing them to toxic chemicals,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “We are committed to sharing the information we collect from facilities openly and clearly, allowing people to find new ways to use this data to the benefit of us all.”

On March 21, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled its findings from the 2022 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis. This report showcases a notable 21% reduction in environmental releases of TRI chemicals from covered facilities in 2022 compared to 2013, with air releases dropping by 26%. Over the span of a decade, manufacturing facility releases decreased by 9%, even as the sector contributed 14% more to the nation's economy.

Although overall releases saw a slight uptick of 1% from 2021 to 2022, there was a significant 6.5% surge in pollution prevention activities reported under the TRI program during this time.

In 2022, facilities demonstrated responsible waste management practices by handling 88.5% of their TRI chemical waste through preferred methods like recycling, energy recovery, and treatment, while only releasing 11.5% into the environment.

Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, "Communities deserve to be informed about potential exposure to toxic chemicals from nearby facilities." The EPA, in collaboration with states and Tribes, collects TRI data from various sectors, enabling the public to access and utilize this information for collective benefit.

The 2022 TRI National Analysis offers enhanced visualizations and analytical tools to facilitate community engagement. Through tools like the "Where You Live" mapping feature, readers can explore data by geographic region, overlaying facility locations with demographic information to identify potential exposure risks, particularly in overburdened communities. This empowers community groups, policymakers, and stakeholders to address environmental challenges at the grassroots level.