09.08.2013 Views

MDI Emissions Reporting Guidelines for the ... - Polyurethanes

MDI Emissions Reporting Guidelines for the ... - Polyurethanes

MDI Emissions Reporting Guidelines for the ... - Polyurethanes

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Use of TRI Database<br />

<strong>MDI</strong> <strong>Emissions</strong> <strong>Reporting</strong> <strong>Guidelines</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Polyurethanes</strong> Industry<br />

When Congress passed <strong>the</strong> EPCRA in 1986, EPA were mandated to promote contingency planning <strong>for</strong><br />

chemical releases and provide <strong>the</strong> public with previously unavailable in<strong>for</strong>mation about toxic and<br />

hazardous chemicals in <strong>the</strong>ir communities.<br />

Under Section 313(h) of EPCRA, Congress provides <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> wide distribution of <strong>the</strong> industry<br />

in<strong>for</strong>mation ga<strong>the</strong>red. The release <strong>for</strong>ms required under this section are intended to provide<br />

in<strong>for</strong>mation to federal, state and local governments and <strong>the</strong> public. This includes citizens of<br />

communities surrounding <strong>the</strong> covered facilities. These <strong>for</strong>ms provide in<strong>for</strong>mation about chemical<br />

releases to <strong>the</strong> environment to enable government agencies, researchers, and o<strong>the</strong>r individuals<br />

conducting research and data ga<strong>the</strong>ring to develop appropriate regulations, guidelines, and<br />

standards. Since <strong>the</strong> TRI data has become available, it has become a useful resource <strong>for</strong> many<br />

different organizations:<br />

Federal, state and local governments use TRI data to set <strong>the</strong> priorities and allocate<br />

environmental protection resources.<br />

Regulators use TRI data to set permit limits, measure compliance with those limits, and<br />

target facilities <strong>for</strong> en<strong>for</strong>cement activities.<br />

Governments use TRI data to assess or modify taxes and fees based on toxic emissions or<br />

overall environmental per<strong>for</strong>mance.<br />

Communities use TRI data to begin dialogues with local facilities and to encourage <strong>the</strong>m to<br />

reduce <strong>the</strong>ir emissions, develop pollution prevention plans, and address safety measures.<br />

Industry uses TRI data to identify pollution prevention opportunities, set goals <strong>for</strong> toxic<br />

chemical release reductions, and demonstrate its commitment to and progress in reducing<br />

emissions.<br />

Public interest groups use TRI data to identify <strong>the</strong> potential need <strong>for</strong> new environmental<br />

regulations or improved implementation and en<strong>for</strong>cement of existing regulations.<br />

Consultants and o<strong>the</strong>rs use TRI data to identify business opportunities, such as marketing<br />

pollution prevention and control technologies to TRI reporting facilities.<br />

There<strong>for</strong>e, it is important that reports be as accurate as possible. Overestimating emissions can lead<br />

regulators and o<strong>the</strong>rs to seek imposition of controls that are not scientifically justified, while<br />

underestimating emissions can risk en<strong>for</strong>cement action by <strong>the</strong> Agency.<br />

1-2

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!