What EPA records say about a factory
EPA's ECHO database combines a facility's permits, emissions reports and inspections across federal programs. Here is what each record on a factory page means and what it doesn't.
Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)
Facilities in covered industries with 10 or more full-time employees that make, process or use listed chemicals above set thresholds must report releases each year. A TRI report means the facility handles those chemicals, not that it broke a rule.
Clean Air Act
The air permit class shows how much the facility is allowed to emit. "Major" sources emit above federal thresholds; "minor" sources emit less. It describes the permit, not current emissions.
Clean Water Act (NPDES)
A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit is needed to discharge wastewater into rivers, lakes or sewers under certain conditions.
Hazardous waste (RCRA)
The generator class (large, small or very small quantity) describes how much hazardous waste the site generates in a month.
Inspections
The count is federal and state inspections recorded in ECHO over the last five years. Inspections are routine for permitted sites; a high count alone isn't a finding.
Industry codes
Facilities report their own NAICS codes, and some list several. We use the most common manufacturing code as the facility's main industry. Codes are not checked, so a few listings belong to repair shops, distributors or recyclers.