EPA TRI Chemical
Formic Acid
CAS Number: 64-18-6
- Total releases
- 61.6M lbs
- Number of facilities
- 452
- Carcinogen
- No
- PBT substance
- No
According to the EPA Toxics Release Inventory, Formic Acid (CAS 64-18-6) is disclosed by 452 Form R facilities totaling 61.6M lbs of reported releases. TRI pounds are self-reported disclosure totals, not a measured public-health risk score.
Formic Acid (CAS 64-18-6) is a chemical tracked by the EPA Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The TRI requires industrial facilities above specified threshold quantities to disclose annual manufacturing, processing, and otherwise-used volumes, along with quantities released to air, water, land, and off-site transfers.
A carcinogen flag, when present on other chemicals in this database, reflects an assessment from EPA, IARC, or the National Toxicology Program rather than a TRI-specific determination. The largest individual disclosure in the current dataset comes from BAYER CROPSCIENCE LP in LA at 28.9M lbs.
TRI volumes are self-reported estimates, not measured stack emissions, and each pound counts equally regardless of chemical toxicity, so total pounds should not be equated with total risk. Inclusion of a chemical or facility in the TRI does not itself establish a health hazard; it documents the public right-to-know record. Consult EPA's IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for health-effect summaries.
LAND pathway mix
Formic Acid: how the 61.6M lbs splits
61.6M lbs across all reported pathways
- Land Disposal54.4M lbs88.3%
- Off-site Transfers2.8M lbs4.5%
- Air Releases2.6M lbs4.2%
- Water Discharges1.8M lbs3.0%
Formic Acid's 61.6M lbs Form-R total is LAND, with land disposal making up 88.3% of the bar. Next segment: off-site transfers at 4.5%.
Trend & Where It's Reported
Between 2019 and 2023, cumulative annual Formic Acid releases across all reporting facilities decreased by 30% (13.3M lbs → 9.3M lbs). Year-to-year swings reflect facility openings/closures and reporting changes as much as underlying activity.
Reporting for Formic Acid is concentrated: Louisiana accounts for 47.2% of the reported total (18 facilities). Next: Florida.
- Louisiana 29.1M lbs
- Florida 14.2M lbs
- Texas 11.9M lbs
- Michigan 1.5M lbs
- Tennessee 1.2M lbs
Reporting for Formic Acid is highly concentrated by industry: Chemicals facilities account for 96.9% of the reported total (265 facilities). Next: Hazardous Waste.
- Chemicals 59.6M lbs
- Hazardous Waste 1.2M lbs
- Paper 429.9K lbs
- Chemical Wholesalers 43.0K lbs
- Computers and Electronic Products 42.2K lbs
Which facilities release the most of this chemical?
Facilities with the largest reported releases of Formic Acid. Up to 50 shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Formic Acid in the EPA TRI? ▼
How much Formic Acid is disclosed in U.S. TRI filings? ▼
How does EPA TRI classify Formic Acid? ▼
Which facilities disclose the most Formic Acid? ▼
What is the CAS number for Formic Acid? ▼
Health Information
Data comes from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program. Release quantities are self-reported by facilities and may represent estimates. The total shown aggregates reports across all facilities and reporting years.
PlainEnviro presents this data without advocacy framing. The presence of a chemical in the TRI database does not by itself indicate a health risk at current exposure levels. For health-related questions about specific chemical exposures, consult your local health agency or a toxicologist.
Related
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.