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Commission for Environmental Cooperation

Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Tracking and Monitoring Industrial Pollutants across North America. TRI National Training Conference February 27-28, 2007 Danielle Vallée PRTR Program, CEC . PRTRs in North America.

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Commission for Environmental Cooperation

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  1. Commission for Environmental Cooperation Tracking and Monitoring Industrial Pollutants across North America TRI National Training Conference February 27-28, 2007 Danielle Vallée PRTR Program, CEC

  2. PRTRs in North America • U.S. Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) - 1987 – close to 650 chemicals • Canada’s National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) - 1993 – about 350 chemicals • Mexico’s Registro de Emisiones y Transferencia de Contaminantes (RETC) – 2004/2006 – 104 chemicals • CEC / North America: Taking Stock (matched data set)

  3. Toxic Release Data

  4. CEC’s North American PRTR ProjectObjectives • To improve our understanding of the sources and management of toxic chemicals of common concern in North America • To increase the utility of PRTR data in trilateral efforts to protect shared ecosystems, improve chemicals management and reduce pollution • To promote public access to information

  5. CEC’s North American PRTR ProjectActivities • Information provision (Taking Stock report / website) • Comparability and quality of PRTR data in North America • Support for Mexico’s RETC • Partnerships with NGOs, industry, governments • Regular interactions among national PRTR officials • Pubic and stakeholder involvement: annual meeting of the North American PRTR Consultative Group • International linkages

  6. Action Plan to Enhance the Comparability of PRTRs in North America • Adopted by Council in 2002 and updated in 2005 • Developed through collaboration among the national programs • Available on our website: www.cec.org

  7. Special Analyses and Uses of PRTR Data • Special features in the Taking Stock report (e.g., industry sectors, transfers to recycling) • Report on “Children’s Health Indicators” • First N.A. report identifying indicators & associations between chemical sources, exposure, and health effects on children • Report on “Children’s Health and Toxic Chemicals” • Identification and analysis of key chemicals of concern in North America and potential effects on children • Case studies of the awareness/use of PRTR information in indigenous and tribal communities

  8. CEC’s Taking Stock Report & Website • Releases & transfers across North America (data from U.S., Canada, Mexico) • “Matched” data set • Analyses by chemical, industry, jurisdiction • Trends over time, N.A. rankings • Raises awareness of key health and environmental issues • Enables increased dialogue and collaboration across borders & industry

  9. Total reported amounts - 20032.99 million tonnes

  10. Total Releases of Known or Suspected Carcinogens, 2003 Substances with largest total releases in 2003 Note: From IARC Group 1, 2A or 2B or US NTP list. Canada and US data only. Mexico data not available for 2003.

  11. Matched U.S. and Canadian PRTR Facilities

  12. Interactive Map:Google Earth with NPRI Facilities

  13. Interactive Map:Google Earth with TRI Facilities

  14. Interactive Map:Google Earth with TRI and NPRI Facilities

  15. Survival Systems International Inc. Valley Center, CA Styrene: 1,806 kg on-site air releases (CEC, 2003)

  16. Case Studies on Indigenous and Tribal Communities’ Awareness/Use of PRTR Data Objectives: • Get info about communities’ health/environmental concerns • Are they aware of / do they use PRTR data or other info.? • Identify effective means of communicating PRTR/other chemical info, and involve communities in CEC programs Study Areas (border regions): • Canada-US (Great Lakes region): Aamjiwnaang (Sarnia) & Ketegaunseebee (Sault-Ste-Marie) First Nations communities • US-Mexico border region: 22 US tribes and 6 Mexican indigenous communities, with focus on Rincon community

  17. Case Studies (continued) Main study results: • Little or no awareness, but much concern about health, environmental and cultural impacts of toxic substances • Need for appropriate outreach activities and materials • Strong interest in developing network to strengthen communities’ ability to protect and promote their interests Next steps: • Continued communication, development of networks of indigenous and tribal representatives • Proposed meeting, Fall 2007, CAN-US-MEX, to discuss PRTR and chemical information issues • Work with communities to develop outreach and communication strategies and materials.

  18. Websites • Canadian NPRI: http://www.ec.gc.ca/pdb/npri/npri_home_e.cfm • U.S. TRI :http://www.epa.gov/tri/ • Mexican RETC: http://portal.semarnat.gob.mx/ (click on “Informe RETC”),or: http://app1.semarnat.gob.mx/retc/index.php • CEC’s Taking Stock: http://cec.org/takingstock

  19. Future Program Priorities • Training and support to implement RETC in Mexico • Comparability of PRTR data across North America • Assistance with RETC chemical categorization • Mentoring partnerships between US/Canadian and Mexican industries • Reporting and data quality • Participation of indigenous and tribal communities • Taking Stock reports and enhancement of website • Engagement of the North American PRTR Consultative Group

  20. Get Involved! Contact: Cody Rice or Danielle Vallée Pollutants and Health CEC Telephone: (514) 350-4300 Fax: (514) 350-4314 E-mail: crice@cec.org, dvallee@cec.org www.cec.org/takingstock

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