Where these toxic chemicals are released measured by Congressional district are described in Responsible Alpha's latest dashboard Toxic Chemicals and Congressional Districts in the U.S.
Why should you care? Because there are 435 U.S. House of Representatives up for election this fall. A key measure to consider is the toxic chemical legacy in each of the congressional districts they serve in Congress along with these elected leaders’ voting records.
According to the U.S. EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), 3.1 billion pounds of toxic chemicals were released in the U.S. in 2020. The mandatory TRI program tracks the management of regulated toxic chemicals in the U.S. that threaten human health and the environment. These toxic chemicals – some called Forever Chemicals – are often used in the composition and the making of our clothes, children's toys, kitchen equipment, automobiles, and plastics
There are 435 U.S. House of Representatives up for election this fall. A key measure to consider is the toxic chemical legacy in each congressional district and these elected leaders’ voting records.
Recent U.S. EPA data shows that 82% of toxic chemicals released into the environment occurred in congressional districts led by Republicans.
These toxic chemicals are often used in the composition and the making of our clothes, children's toys, pots, pans, automobiles, and plastics.
The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, which governs the TRI, states a toxic chemical release is when a toxic chemical is emitted into the air, waterways, or disposed of on land.
The TRI program in 2020 covered 800 chemicals including chemicals with adverse health effects. Any facility processing, manufacturing, or utilizing these chemicals in quantities that exceed the set levels must submit an annual report to the TRI. They also must submit yearly reporting forms for each chemical assessed.
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