How to Obtain Emissions Data
Toxic-release data for specific manufacturers or entire neighborhoods is available free from the state Environmental Affairs Agency or the EPA.
Data filed by California firms for 1989 and prior years can be obtained from the Environmental Affairs Agency in Sacramento by calling the hazardous materials help desk, (916) 327-1848, or Ken Rydbrink, staff programmer analyst, (916) 322-2793.
The agency will retrieve a limited amount of data, such as emissions estimates for individual companies or all companies in a ZIP code.
Photocopies of original reports can be obtained for 10 cents a page. For $50, a floppy disk can be obtained with annual data on toxins for all 1,750 California firms filing the reports.
The EPA in Washington provides a similar service, and has reports for manufacturers in all 50 states for 1987 and 1988. However, 1989 reports will not be available until early next year.
The number to call for help is (202) 382-3531 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on the East Coast.
Inventory reports on toxins for the entire country are also available on microfiche at several area libraries.
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