Computer Program Compares

Community Pollution Risks

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a new computer tool Thursday [July 15, 1999] to help the public learn about pollution in local communities. The computer program, "Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators," is available on CD-ROM and uses national data on toxic chemical emissions from EPA's Toxic Release Inventory. The new tool can be used to compare relative risk from toxic chemicals grouped by categories like cities, states, and industrial facilities, based on factors like pounds of pollutants released, relative toxicity, population and exposure data. These relative risk rankings can be used for comparisons, but are not intended for quantifying actual risks posed to public health from any single facility, geographical area or other category. Such comparisons may be used to identify and prioritize areas for further research and attention. A more detailed description of the tool, the user manual, frequently asked questions, and contact information is available at: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/env_ind/index.html.

More information on the Toxic Release Inventory is available at: http://www.epa.gov/tri/

 

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