A report released Thursday from the Environmental Protection Agency shows that toxic chemical releases into the air, land and water rose 17 percent in 2010 in Idaho. According to 2010 Toxic Release Inventory, of the 670 facilities in Idaho, Oregon and Washington, 14 percent are in Idaho. Idaho reported 64 percent of the 105 million pounds of toxic chemical releases reported in the three states.
In Idaho, 95 facilities reported a total of 67 million pounds of toxic chemical releases, an increase of 17 percent. In Oregon, 271 facilities reported a total of 18 million pounds of toxic chemical releases, an increase of 20 percent.
In Washington, 304 facilities reported a total of 20 million pounds of toxic chemical releases, an increase of 27 percent. The following industries contribute to 95 percent of the total toxic chemical releases in Idaho.
1. Metal mining, 28,953,268 tons, 42.9 percent
2. Chemical manufacturing, 19,493,700, 28.9 percent
3. Hazardous waste/solvent recovery, 8,559,037 tons, 12.7 percent
4. Food/beverages/tobacco, 6,942,805 tons, 10.3 percent
Top 10 Idaho facilities
1. Hecla Ltd. Lucky Friday Mine, Mullan, 19,786,973 tons
2. P4 Production LLC, Soda Springs, 16,157,407 tons
3. US Ecology Idaho Inc., Grand View, 8,559,037 tons
4. US Silver - Idaho Inc., Wallace, 6,519,554 tons
5. JR Simplot Co., Pocatello, 3,006,848 tons
6. Thompson Creek Mining Co., Clayton, 2,646,739 tons
7. McCain Foods USA, Burley, 2,304,580 tons
8. Amalgamated Sugar Co., Paul, 1,449,231 tons
9. Glanbia Foods Inc., Gooding, 1,339,833 tons
10. Clearwater Paper Corp Lewiston 1,173,485 tons