3M CHEMICAL OPERATIONS' DECATUR FACILITY — Emissions Trend

Decatur, AL · 2019–2023 · Parent: 3M CO

This page assembles 5 consecutive years of EPA Toxics Release Inventory Form R filings for 3M CHEMICAL OPERATIONS' DECATUR FACILITY, spanning 2019–2023. Each annual total aggregates on-site air emissions, surface-water discharges, land disposal, and off-site transfers reported by the facility under EPCRA Section 313, which requires disclosure whenever a listed chemical is manufactured, processed, or otherwise used above threshold quantities.

Reported releases opened at 260.1K in 2019 and closed at 139.6K in 2023 — a decreasing of -46.3% over the window. The chart below stacks the four TRI release media (air, water, land, off-site) and overlays the yearly total. The top contributor by cumulative mass is Ethylene glycol at 150.9K, followed by Methanol at 139.9K.

Because TRI figures are estimated, not metered, year-over-year deltas can reflect methodology revisions, ownership changes, or shifts in what a facility classifies as reportable — not only physical emission changes. Treat the trajectory as a disclosure record, and cross-reference with the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) system for the fuller regulatory picture on this chemicals facility.

Overall Trend
↓ Decreasing (-46.3%)
2019 Total
260.1K lbs
2023 Total
139.6K lbs

Total Releases by Category

Air
Water
Land
Offsite Transfer
052.0K104.0K156.0K208.0K260.1K 20192020202120222023 Pounds Released

Year-over-Year Comparison

Year Total Chemicals YoY Change
2019 260.1K lbs 22
2020 135.3K lbs 20 -48.0%
2021 185.0K lbs 23 +36.7%
2022 187.5K lbs 23 +1.3%
2023 139.6K lbs 25 -25.5%

Top Chemicals by Year

Chemical 20192020202120222023 Total
Ethylene glycol 28.6K 25.3K 39.4K 30.9K 26.7K 150.9K
Methanol 23.2K 31.3K 32.8K 31.7K 20.9K 139.9K
1-Chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (HCFC-142b) 90.4K 4.6K 2.6K 2.3K 2.0K 101.9K
Tetrafluoroethylene 19.8K 20.1K 18.0K 16.8K 16.3K 90.9K
Methyl tert-butyl ether 1.7K 5.8K 20.7K 27.0K 26.5K 81.6K
Certain glycol ethers 10.0K 8.2K 14.7K 11.3K 9.2K 53.3K
Toluene 4.5K 9.7K 9.8K 11.7K 9.5K 45.2K
Xylene (mixed isomers) 18.3K 3.8K 4.9K 7.5K 3.5K 38.0K
Asbestos (friable) 30.0K 30.0K
Acrylic acid 3.1K 4.1K 4.4K 9.6K 8.4K 29.6K
Methyl isobutyl ketone 6.6K 10.2K 5.9K 5.6K 28.3K
Cyclohexane 5.6K 2.8K 6.9K 7.4K 2.9K 25.6K
Antimony compounds 938 20.7K 344 22.0K
Ammonia 4.4K 3.8K 4.5K 3.8K 3.1K 19.5K
Propylene 7.7K 2.6K 501 10.8K

About This Data

Trend data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Facilities report annually. Release quantities are self-reported estimates. Year-over-year changes may reflect changes in production, pollution control measures, reporting methodology, or chemical thresholds.

A decrease in reported releases does not necessarily indicate improved environmental performance, as it may reflect production cutbacks, facility closures, or changes in reporting requirements. Similarly, increases may reflect expanded production rather than degraded environmental practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3M CHEMICAL OPERATIONS' DECATUR FACILITY getting cleaner or dirtier?
Based on EPA TRI data from 2019–2023, 3M CHEMICAL OPERATIONS' DECATUR FACILITY's total toxic releases have decreased by approximately 46%.
What time period does this trend data cover?
This page shows 5 years of EPA Toxic Release Inventory data from 2019–2023. Release quantities are self-reported estimates filed annually by the facility.