EPA TRI Chemical
Phthalic Anhydride
CAS Number: 85-44-9
- Total releases
- 1.4M lbs
- Number of facilities
- 157
- Carcinogen
- No
- PBT substance
- No
According to the EPA Toxics Release Inventory, Phthalic Anhydride (CAS 85-44-9) is disclosed by 157 Form R facilities totaling 1.4M lbs of reported releases. TRI pounds are self-reported disclosure totals, not a measured public-health risk score.
Phthalic Anhydride (CAS 85-44-9) 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 STEPAN CO MILLSDALE ROAD in IL at 407.6K 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
Phthalic Anhydride: how the 1.4M lbs splits
1.4M lbs across all reported pathways
- Air Releases989.4K lbs68.2%
- Off-site Transfers331.0K lbs22.8%
- Land Disposal129.1K lbs8.9%
- Water Discharges140 lbs<0.1%
Phthalic Anhydride's 1.4M lbs Form-R total is MIXED, with air releases making up 68.2% of the bar. Next segment: off-site transfers at 22.8%.
Trend & Where It's Reported
Between 2019 and 2023, cumulative annual Phthalic Anhydride releases across all reporting facilities increased by 4% (288.4K lbs → 300.8K lbs). Year-to-year swings reflect facility openings/closures and reporting changes as much as underlying activity.
Reporting for Phthalic Anhydride is concentrated: Illinois accounts for 47.2% of the reported total (10 facilities). Next: Texas.
- Illinois 684.6K lbs
- Texas 213.2K lbs
- Kentucky 60.7K lbs
- Louisiana 58.8K lbs
- Tennessee 52.9K lbs
Reporting for Phthalic Anhydride is highly concentrated by industry: Chemicals facilities account for 87.0% of the reported total (125 facilities). Next: Hazardous Waste.
- Chemicals 1.3M lbs
- Hazardous Waste 143.8K lbs
- Furniture 26.3K lbs
- Plastics and Rubber 12.4K lbs
- Paper 5.0K lbs
Which facilities release the most of this chemical?
Facilities with the largest reported releases of Phthalic Anhydride. Up to 50 shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Phthalic Anhydride in the EPA TRI? ▼
How much Phthalic Anhydride is disclosed in U.S. TRI filings? ▼
How does EPA TRI classify Phthalic Anhydride? ▼
Which facilities disclose the most Phthalic Anhydride? ▼
What is the CAS number for Phthalic Anhydride? ▼
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.