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American Samoa Posts Best Showing In EPA Survey

Friday: February 22, 2008

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released the results of its 2006 Toxics Release Inventory, an annual measure of toxic chemical releases and waste generated by facilities in the United States.

Total releases include toxic chemicals discharged to air, water, underground injection, land (including landfills), and the amount transferred off-site for disposal. Data provided does not mean that facilities with elevated levels are out of compliance with state, local or federal environmental regulations

The report includes data on three U.S. territories in the Pacific, one of which reported the lowest releases of any U.S. jurisdiction.

American Samoa

A facility in American Samoa reported a total of five pounds of toxic chemicals released into the air in 2006.

The only facility reporting is Star-Kist Samoa with five pounds in air releases.  Overall, American Samoa ranks the very lowest in total releases from 56 states and territories.

“TRI is an important tool for regulators, emergency responders, reporters, businesses and communities because it helps us better understand the types and amounts of chemicals being released in our communities,” said Wayne Nastri, the EPA’s administrator for the Pacific Southwest region. “We are pleased to report American Samoa has the lowest releases of any state or territory in the nation.”

Guam

Seven facilities in Guam reported a 13 percent decrease in toxic chemicals released into the air, land and water in 2006.

The Guam facilities reported a decrease of 32,000 pounds in overall releases of all chemicals. Air releases decreased by 2 percent, with facilities reporting a total of 125,000 pounds. Land releases were down 93 percent to 111 pounds. Water releases decreased 27 percent to a total of 76,000 pounds.

Overall, Guam ranks among the lowest, 53 out of 56 states and territories, in total releases.

The Guam facilities reporting included:Guam Power Authority; Hawaiian Rock Products Guam; Mobil Oil Guam Inc. (Cabras Island Terminal); Shell Guam Inc.; South Pacific Petroleum Corp.; Tanguisson Power Plant; US Navy COMNAVMARIANAS Guam Main Base – Apra Harbor WWTP.

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Four facilities in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) reported a total of 6,779 pounds of toxic chemicals released into the air, land and water in 2006.

Reported releases in CNMI increased 2,454 pounds in 2006, a 57 percent from 2005.  Overall, CNMI ranks among the very lowest, 55 out of 56 states and territories, in total releases.

CNMI facilities reporting included:Hawaiian Rock Products Saipan; Mobil Oil Mariana Islands Inc./Saipan Aviation Terminal; Mobil Oil Mariana Islands Inc./Saipan Terminal; Shell Marianas.

 Some findings of interest nationally for 2006:

* Total disposal and other releases are down 2 percent from last year.

* Combined air releases of TRI chemicals are down 7 percent.

* Total disposal and other releases of mercury to all media combined increased 17 percent. However, air releases of mercury are down 4 percent.

* From 2001-2006, total releases reported to TRI decreased by 24 percent.

For more information on TRI see: http://www.epa.gov/triexplorer/ and http://www.epa.gov/enviro. State fact sheets are available at: http://www.epa.gov/triexplorer/statefactsheet.htm.