Research Report
Methodology
An investigation following the Ohio train derailment of widespread vinyl chloride pollution caused by PVC production
Methodology
This investigation is primarily based on an analysis of data vinyl chloride and PVC companies self-report to the U.S. EPA through the federal 2021 Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) and 2020 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) programs. We obtained and analyzed TRI data on vinyl chloride emissions from vinyl chloride and PVC plants as well as their transfer of dioxins and other chlorinated wastes to disposal facilities such as incinerators, landfills, and cement kilns. Demographic data were obtained from EPA’s EJScreen tool. All of the primary data collected and analyzed in this investigation has been compiled into a spreadsheet available for viewing and download here.
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- I.Introduction
- II.Not an isolated incident
- III.Largest vinyl chloride polluters
- IV.PVC plastic and environmental justice
- V.Interactive Map
- VI.Vinyl chloride and toxic waste
- VII.Safer Solutions
- VIII.Methodology
- IX.Credits and Creative Commons License
- X.References