Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Stephanie Hemphill
St. Paul, Minn.

Toxic pollution data available earlier than previous years

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

The federal government is providing information on toxic chemical pollution more quickly than it has in the past.

The Toxics Release Inventory, or TRI, is a database on the Web, where anyone can learn about industrial pollution in their community.

The Environmental Protection Agency has posted preliminary data for 2009. In previous years, that information would not be available for at least another six months.

Samuel Yamin, a public health scientist with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, said the TRI is a good resource for scientists and citizens.

"It sounds like they're improving the timeliness of the information which is really great too," Yamin said.

But in Minnesota, the Department of Public Safety will take six months to verify the data before passing it on to the federal government, according to spokesman Doug Neville.

"Yes, it's important for the public to see some real time or quicker data, but those reports are just that, they're preliminary," Neville said. "So we get the full report and do that comprehensive reporting once a year, and there's some lag time on that."

Neville said the Minnesota numbers for 2009 will be available at the end of 2010.

The database contains information on nearly 650 chemicals.