Pollution data — Uplink Archive

IRE and NICAR's Database Library has updated its Toxics Release Inventory data from the EPA through 2003, containing information on chemical releases and waste management from industrial facilities. The cleaned dataset includes enhanced fields like standardized dates and geographic coordinates to help journalists analyze toxic chemical reporting.

The IRE and NICAR Database Library recently updated its Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for 2003. The data is available starting with 1987.

The EPA now requires reporting of about 650 toxic chemicals and toxic chemical categories. The TRI consists of information about on- and off-site releases of these chemicals and other waste management activities reported annually by industries and federal facilities. The data shows what happened to the chemical after it left the facility, such as whether it was recycled, treated or released into the environment, and where the chemicals were sent. One-time accidental releases are also included in the database.

Though this data is available for free through a download from the EPA Web site, IRE and NICAR's Database Library analysts have cleaned the data significantly, making it easier for journalists to use immediately. The Database Library provides additional fields containing standard date formats and latitudes and longitudes that can be mapped using geographic information system (GIS) software. For a sample of the table, samples of other tables and more information about TRI see www.ire.org/datalibrary/databases/toxic.