Toxic Releases Down 12 Percent in 2012; Decline in Metal Mining Is Major Factor

摘要

On-site and off-site releases of toxic substances from various industrial facilities dropped by about 500 million pounds, from 4.1 billion pounds in 2011 to 3.6 billion pounds in 2012, according to preliminary data recently released by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Toxics Release Inventory data for Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2012, indicate a decrease of about 12 percent in releases from facilities required to report under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act and Pollution Prevention Act.