EPA TRI Chemical
Lead
CAS Number: 7439-92-1
- Total releases
- 51.1M lbs
- Number of facilities
- 5,300
- Carcinogen
- Yes
- PBT substance
- Yes
According to the EPA Toxics Release Inventory, Lead (CAS 7439-92-1) is disclosed by 5,300 Form R facilities totaling 51.1M lbs of reported releases. The TRI extract marks this chemical with a carcinogen classification flag. It is also listed as a persistent bioaccumulative toxicant (PBT) in the TRI extract. TRI pounds are self-reported disclosure totals, not a measured public-health risk score.
Lead (CAS 7439-92-1) 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.
The carcinogen flag above reflects an assessment from EPA, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, or the National Toxicology Program, not a TRI-specific determination. The PBT (persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic) status above carries a lower TRI reporting threshold than most listed chemicals, reflecting elevated regulatory concern about long-term environmental buildup. The largest individual disclosure in the current dataset comes from SANDERS LEAD CO INC. in AL at 6.5M 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.
MIXED pathway mix
Lead: how the 51.1M lbs splits
51.1M lbs across all reported pathways
- Land Disposal33.0M lbs64.7%
- Off-site Transfers17.7M lbs34.7%
- Air Releases313.0K lbs0.6%
- Water Discharges26.0K lbs0.1%
Lead's 51.1M lbs Form-R total is MIXED, with land disposal making up 64.7% of the bar. Next segment: off-site transfers at 34.7%.
Trend & Where It's Reported
Between 2019 and 2023, cumulative annual Lead releases across all reporting facilities decreased by 21% (10.2M lbs → 8.0M lbs). Year-to-year swings reflect facility openings/closures and reporting changes as much as underlying activity.
Reporting for Lead is dispersed: Alabama accounts for 15.4% of the reported total (161 facilities). Next: Nevada.
- Alabama 7.9M lbs
- Nevada 6.6M lbs
- Indiana 4.8M lbs
- Oregon 4.2M lbs
- California 3.5M lbs
Reporting for Lead is concentrated by industry: Hazardous Waste facilities account for 46.3% of the reported total (112 facilities). Next: Primary Metals.
- Hazardous Waste 23.7M lbs
- Primary Metals 10.2M lbs
- Other 8.0M lbs
- Electrical Equipment 2.6M lbs
- Coal Mining 2.4M lbs
Which facilities release the most of this chemical?
Facilities with the largest reported releases of Lead. Up to 50 shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lead in the EPA TRI? ▼
How much Lead is disclosed in U.S. TRI filings? ▼
How does EPA TRI classify Lead? ▼
Which facilities disclose the most Lead? ▼
What is the CAS number for Lead? ▼
Health Information
Carcinogen Classification: This chemical is classified as a known or suspected carcinogen by the EPA under the Toxic Release Inventory program. This classification is based on evaluations by agencies including the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the EPA itself.
Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxicant (PBT): This chemical is classified as a PBT by the EPA. PBT chemicals are toxic, persist in the environment, and bioaccumulate in food chains. Because of these properties, even relatively small releases can pose a significant threat to human health and the environment over time.
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.