EPA TRI Chemical
Trichloroethylene
CAS Number: 79-01-6
- Total releases
- 5.1M lbs
- Number of facilities
- 159
- Carcinogen
- Yes
- PBT substance
- No
According to the EPA Toxics Release Inventory, Trichloroethylene (CAS 79-01-6) is disclosed by 159 Form R facilities totaling 5.1M lbs of reported releases. The TRI extract marks this chemical with a carcinogen classification flag. TRI pounds are self-reported disclosure totals, not a measured public-health risk score.
Trichloroethylene (CAS 79-01-6) 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.
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 largest individual disclosure in the current dataset comes from MICROPOROUS LLC in TN at 517.7K 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.
AIR pathway mix
Trichloroethylene: how the 5.1M lbs splits
5.1M lbs across all reported pathways
- Air Releases4.8M lbs93.9%
- Land Disposal156.7K lbs3.1%
- Off-site Transfers152.9K lbs3.0%
- Water Discharges1.9K lbs<0.1%
Trichloroethylene's 5.1M lbs Form-R total is AIR, with air releases making up 93.9% of the bar. Next segment: land disposal at 3.1%.
Trend & Where It's Reported
Between 2019 and 2023, cumulative annual Trichloroethylene releases across all reporting facilities decreased by 42% (1.3M lbs → 780.7K lbs). Year-to-year swings reflect facility openings/closures and reporting changes as much as underlying activity.
Reporting for Trichloroethylene is dispersed: Pennsylvania accounts for 18.8% of the reported total (10 facilities). Next: Ohio.
- Pennsylvania 956.9K lbs
- Ohio 554.2K lbs
- Kansas 544.9K lbs
- Tennessee 529.4K lbs
- Alabama 315.4K lbs
Reporting for Trichloroethylene is concentrated by industry: Primary Metals facilities account for 29.3% of the reported total (10 facilities). Next: Fabricated Metals.
- Primary Metals 1.5M lbs
- Fabricated Metals 920.1K lbs
- Plastics and Rubber 916.8K lbs
- Chemicals 651.8K lbs
- Transportation Equipment 510.3K lbs
Which facilities release the most of this chemical?
Facilities with the largest reported releases of Trichloroethylene. Up to 50 shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Trichloroethylene in the EPA TRI? ▼
How much Trichloroethylene is disclosed in U.S. TRI filings? ▼
How does EPA TRI classify Trichloroethylene? ▼
Which facilities disclose the most Trichloroethylene? ▼
What is the CAS number for Trichloroethylene? ▼
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.
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.