Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in June not only show reported toxic pollution increased for only the second time since the TRI program began in 1987, but that industry reported releasing and disposing of more than a billion pounds of cancer-causing chemicals into the nation's air, land and water in 2002, according to an analysis by the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan (PIRGIM).

"Programs like the Toxics Release Inventory have helped reduce the amount of toxic chemicals released into the environment," said PIRGIM Field Director Megan Owens. "But with a billion pounds of carcinogens released into the environment in a single year, we have a long way to go before we can say that all communities are safe from toxic exposure."

According to PIRGIM's analysis, electric utilities nationally released 90,371 pounds of mercury into the air in 2002, a slight decrease from 2001. Power plants are by far the largest source of airborne toxic mercury pollution, contributing two-thirds of the total airborne mercury emitted from all reported sources in 2002. Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that, when ingested, can cause serious neurological damage, particularly to developing fetuses, infants and children. Power plants in Michigan released 2,714 pounds of mercury into the air in 2002.

In January 2004, the EPA proposed to substantially slow efforts to clean up mercury emissions from the nation's 1,100 coal-fired power plants. The EPA proposal would delay reductions in mercury pollution from power plants until 2018 at the earliest, allowing six to seven times more mercury into the air than the reduction than should be required by the Clean Air Act.

Also in June, 184 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including five Michigan legislators and 23 Republicans, sent EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt a letter criticizing "EPA's continuing failure to take into account both its own analyses and the potential presented by existing technology." The letter calls on Leavitt to issue a new mercury pollution proposal that protects public health and complies with the law.

PIRGIM also reviewed chemicals reported to the TRI and identified those known to be carcinogens, reproductive toxicants or developmental toxicants.

PIRGIM found that in 2002, industry reported releasing and disposing of:

• More than a billion pounds of chemicals classified as carcinogens. Facilities in Michigan reported releasing 6,456,000 pounds of carcinogens.
• More than 966 million pounds of chemicals classified as developmental toxicants. Facilities in Michigan reported releasing 4,562,600 pounds of developmental toxicants. Developmental toxicants are chemicals that can impede the proper physical and mental development of young children.
• More than 486 million pounds of chemicals classified as reproductive toxicants. Facilities in Michigan reported releasing 2,393,000 pounds of reproductive toxicants. Reproductive toxicants are chemicals with the potential to impair the male or female reproductive system, leading to sterility, spontaneous abortion or stillbirth.