EPA TRI Chemical
Phenanthrene
CAS Number: 85-01-8
- Total releases
- 879.1K lbs
- Number of facilities
- 124
- Carcinogen
- No
- PBT substance
- No
According to the EPA Toxics Release Inventory, Phenanthrene (CAS 85-01-8) is disclosed by 124 Form R facilities totaling 879.1K lbs of reported releases. TRI pounds are self-reported disclosure totals, not a measured public-health risk score.
Phenanthrene (CAS 85-01-8) 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 CHEMICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT INC in CA at 188.5K 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
Phenanthrene: how the 879.1K lbs splits
879.1K lbs across all reported pathways
- Off-site Transfers429.9K lbs48.9%
- Land Disposal280.4K lbs31.9%
- Air Releases164.1K lbs18.7%
- Water Discharges4.8K lbs0.5%
Phenanthrene's 879.1K lbs Form-R total is MIXED, with off-site transfers making up 48.9% of the bar. Next segment: land disposal at 31.9%.
Trend & Where It's Reported
Between 2019 and 2023, cumulative annual Phenanthrene releases across all reporting facilities decreased by 51% (268.7K lbs → 131.3K lbs). Year-to-year swings reflect facility openings/closures and reporting changes as much as underlying activity.
Reporting for Phenanthrene is dispersed: California accounts for 22.0% of the reported total (7 facilities). Next: West Virginia.
- California 193.1K lbs
- West Virginia 174.6K lbs
- Texas 111.3K lbs
- Louisiana 110.1K lbs
- Ohio 85.6K lbs
Reporting for Phenanthrene is concentrated by industry: Petroleum facilities account for 32.9% of the reported total (62 facilities). Next: Hazardous Waste.
- Petroleum 289.1K lbs
- Hazardous Waste 274.7K lbs
- Chemicals 160.2K lbs
- Primary Metals 134.7K lbs
- Electrical Equipment 18.6K lbs
Which facilities release the most of this chemical?
Facilities with the largest reported releases of Phenanthrene. Up to 50 shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Phenanthrene in the EPA TRI? ▼
How much Phenanthrene is disclosed in U.S. TRI filings? ▼
How does EPA TRI classify Phenanthrene? ▼
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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.