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EPA releases latest data on toxic chemicals nationwide. Guam toxics increase due to new chemicals, additional facility.

Release Date: 04/12/2006
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, [email protected]

(04/12/06) HONOLULU – Eight facilities in Guam reported a total of 747,000 pounds of toxic chemicals released into the air, land and water in the year 2004, according to new data released today 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.

Guam facilities reported large increases in air and water, mainly due to the fact of an additional facility reporting and new chemicals being used. The air increases are due to a 531,000 pound increase in air releases of naphthalene from the Guam Power Authority. Guam Power Authority did not use this chemical in reporting year 2003. Increases in water releases are due to a 7,539 pound increase in nitrate compounds at the U.S. Navy Marianas.

“TRI helps all of us – regulators, emergency responders, businesses and communities – remain aware of the types and amounts of chemicals being used in neighborhoods throughout the country,” said Wayne Nastri, the EPA’s administrator for the Pacific Southwest region. “This year’s data provides us with a more accurate picture of toxic chemical emissions on the island due to more facilities reporting.”

Nationally, the amount of toxic chemicals released into the environment decreased by 4 percent from 2003 to 2004, and have declined 45 percent since 1998.

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.

Guam Facilities:

GUAM POWER AUTHORITY CABRAS FACILITY
HAWAIIAN ROCK PRODUCTS GUAM
MOBIL OIL GUAM INC CABRAS ISLAND TERMINAL
SHELL GUAM INC
SOUTH PACIFIC PETROLEUM CORP
TANGUISSON POWER PLANT
US AIR FORCE – ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE
US NAVY – Marianas

The following Web sites also provide useful information on TRI: https://www.epa.gov/triexplorer/ and https://www.epa.gov/enviro

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