New England Cuts its Toxic Releases

By Mark Bevis on Wednesday, June 30, 2004.

listen:

New England has outperformed the rest of the nation.

We're not talking the Patriots, we're talking about toxic chemicals.

A new report by the Environmental Protection Agency shows that New England has cut its releases of toxic chemicals by more than 90% over the last 15 years.

NHPR'S Mark Bevis has more.

If you'd like to see the Toxics Release Inventory for your area click here

THE INFORMATION COMES FROM WHAT'S CALLED THE TOXIC RELEASE INVENTORY.

IT MONITORS ALL THE CHEMICALS THAT COMPANIES LAWFULLY RELEASE INTO THE AIR, WATER AND LAND.

NATIONALLY TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASES HAVE DECLINED 57% SINCE 1988.

BUT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, THOSE REDUCTIONS ARE AT 93% OVER THE SAME PERIOD.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BEST RECORDS IN THE COUNTRY.

TAPE:

THAT'S DWIGHT PEAVEY.

HE COORDINATES THE TOXIC RELEASE INVENTORY FOR THE EPA IN BOSTON.

TPAE:

DWIGHT PEAVEY IS THE EPA'S REGION 1 COORDINATOR OF THE TOXIC RELEASE INVENTORY PROGRAM.

FOR NHPR NEWS, I'M MARK BEVIS