Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Great Lakes Commission has released a toxic air emissions inventory in a continuing effort to quantify the toxic air emissions that impact air and water quality and communities of the Great Lakes basin. The update, which reflects 1997 data, focuses on point, area and mobile emissions from non-road and on-road sources.

This inventory represents the best single compilation of emissions data for the Great Lakes basin. Funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and managed by the Great Lakes Commission, the inventory effort is undertaken by the air quality departments of the eight Great Lakes states and the province of Ontario.

The new emissions inventory, which addresses 82 targeted toxic air contaminants, found area sources to dominate the total emissions for 15 PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), 16 non-metal compounds, and one metal compound. Point sources are responsible for more than two thirds of total emissions for one PAH, 22 non-metal compounds and 11 metal compounds. Mobile sources are responsible for most emissions of 11 non-metal compounds. Among the target pollutants, toluene was estimated to have the highest emissions at 516.5 million pounds, while 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) emissions are the lowest recorded at 0.12 pounds.

According to Nathaniel E. Robinson, chair of the Great Lakes Commission, “The new air toxic emissions inventory is the most comprehensive, high quality regional inventory available. It’s is a vitally important component of our decision support system, and guides the region’s policymaking and research efforts.”

In compiling the inventory, challenges were encountered in terms of data breadth, quality, availability and consistency from one jurisdiction to the next. Thus, this inventory should not be used to compare one state or province’s emissions against another’s, but rather to demonstrate the potential of such a comprehensive inventory as a decision support tool.

The inventory project strengthens decision-making capabilities in the basin by promoting interjurisdictional consistency in data collection and analysis, establishing standard procedures and protocols, developing an automated emission estimation and inventory system, and demonstrating the value of Internet technology to exchange environmental data.

The Great Lakes states and Ontario, with management / technical support from the Great Lakes Commission, are now compiling the next basinwide inventory for the 1998 update, expected to be released in fall 2001. The Commission also is preparing an update to its online AirMapper, in addition to providing access to the emissions inventory database online.

For an online copy of the Great Lakes Regional Air Toxic Emissions Inventory, see projects.glc.org/air/

The Great Lakes Regional Air Toxic Emissions Inventory Steering Committee is composed of the following members:

• Orlando Cabrera-Rivera, WI DNR, 608-267-2466,[email protected] *
• David ‘Buzz’ Asselmeier, IL EPA, 217-524-1128, [email protected]
• Jon Bates, IN DEM, 317-233-4226, [email protected]
• Gary Baker, MI DEQ, 517-373-7058, [email protected]
• Chun Yi Wu, MN PCA, 651-282-5855, [email protected]
• Rob Sliwinski, NY DEC, 518-457-2823, [email protected]
• Rob McDonough, NY DEC, 518-457-2823, [email protected]
• Tom Velalis, OH EPA, 614-644-2270, [email protected]
• Rob Altenburg, PA DEP, 717-787-4310, [email protected]
• Peter Wong, OME – Air Resources Branch, 416-235-5818,[email protected]
• Dr. Suzanne King, U.S. EPA Region 5, 312-886-6054,[email protected]

  * = Steering Committee Chair

For immediate release: April 23, 2001
Contact: Julie Wagemakers

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The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Nathaniel E. Robinson (Wisconsin), is a nonpartisan, binational compact agency created by state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of state legislators, agency officials and governors’ appointees from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a “Declaration of Partnership.” The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.