HONOLULU (EPA) — Three facilities in the CNMI reported a total of 4,300 pounds of toxic chemicals released into the air, land and water in the year 2005, according to new data released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The data comes from the EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory, an annual measure of toxic chemical releases, transfers and waste generated by facilities in the United States.
Total releases include toxic chemicals discharged to air, water, underground injection, land, including landfills, and the amount transferred off-site for disposal.
Data provided does not mean that facilities with elevated levels are out of compliance with state, local or federal environmental regulations.
There was a 3-percent overall increase in releases that equaled to only a 125-pound change in overall releases up from 4,200 in 2004.
Although a 30-percent increase was seen in on-site land disposal, it was due to an increase of less than one pound by Hawaiian Rock Products Saipan.
There was a 72-percent decrease in off-site releases due to Mobil Oil Marianas Islands/Saipan Aviation Terminal reporting no off-site transfers in 2005.
Overall, the CNMI ranks 55 out of 56 states and territories in total releases.
“TRI is an important tool for regulators, emergency responders, businesses and communities because it helps them better understand and be aware of the types and amounts of chemicals being released in their neighborhoods,” said Wayne Nastri, the EPA’s administrator for the Pacific Southwest region. “We are pleased to report only slight net increases to CNMI’s air.”
Nationally, the amount of toxic chemicals released into the environment increased by 3 percent from 2004.
The reporting of data to the Toxics Release Inventory is required under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, passed in 1986.
This program has been credited with arming communities with valuable knowledge and encouraging facilities to reduce their releases of toxic chemicals into the environment through source reduction, or pollution prevention measures.