1. Orlando Cabrera-Rivera JPAC Meeting El Paso, Texas November 7, 2011
Cross Border Transfers of Toxic Contaminants in North America
Analysis of PRTR Data
Orlando Cabrera-Rivera
JPAC Meeting
El Paso, Texas
November 7, 2011
This presentation gives a brief overview of the results of a preliminary analysis on the types and amounts of toxic substances transferred across North American borders. The information presented is from data reported by industrial facilities in Canada, the US, and Mexico to their respective Pollutants Releases and Transfer Registers, or PRTR.

2. This picture illustrates the types of information that is reported to a PRTR system. In North America we have three national PRTR programs: the US’ Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), the Canadian National Pollutant Releases Inventory (NPRI), and in Mexico, the Registro de Emisiones y Transferencia de Contaminantes (RETC). Each of these PRTR systems has different pollutant coverage and reporting requirements. So, we do not have information on all toxic substances that are transferred across borders; just for those subject to PRTR reporting. In terms of transfers off-site, we also have information on the final destination of that transfer, including both inside and outside the country.

3. The CEC’s North American PRTR project brings together the information from the NA PRTR systems; and adds value to it by providing analyses and access through the TS report and TS online website.

4. Taking Stock Online Cross-Border Transfers
One of the tools in TS Online allows the users explore information on cross-border transfers of toxic substances. This tool was developed last year under NAPRTR project, partly to assist in some of the work conducted by the CEC’s Hazardous Waste Task Force.
You can view the amounts and types of transfers from one country to another (recycling, disposal, treatment); the substances being transferred; and information on both the sending and receiving facilities. This information can be exported in a variety of formats, including Excel, or for visualization using Google Maps.

5. This map illustrates the transfer of toxic substances across North American borders. As you can see we have transfers from Canada to the US, from Mexico to the US, and from the US to both Canada and Mexico. These reported transfers are for the most part to disposal or recycling.

6. Summary of Cross-Border Transfers, 2009
Over 181 million kg transferred across NA borders (just over 10% of all off-site disposal or other transfers)
119 pollutants transferred (mainly to recycling) by 24 industrial sectors
Top 10 pollutants (by amount) = 170,508,844 kg (94% of total)

7. Top 10 Substances - Cross-Border Transfers
Pollutants *
Reported Amount (Kg)
Sulfuric Acid
107,759,113
Zinc (and/or its compounds)
30,145,574
Copper (and/or its compounds)
8,562,357
Lead (and/or its compounds)
7,323,606
1,2-Dichloroethane
5,297,093
Manganese (and/or its compounds)
4,278,961
Nickel (and/or its compounds)
2,012,778
Sodium Nitrite
1,953,476
Hydrochloric Acid
1,644,340
Aluminum Oxide (Fibrous Forms)
1,531,546
Now, when we look at the top substances by amount, we need to take into account the differences in reporting requirements of the PRTR systems. For example, Sulfuric acid is the substance that was reported in the highest amounts. Most of this comes from Canada. Transfers of sulfuric acid are reportable under the Canadian PRTR, but not in the US and Mexico. In the US, the PRTR only requires reporting on atmospheric emissions of sulfuric acid. Zinc is another example: releases and transfers of this substance are subject to reporting in the US and Canada, but not in Mexico. In these cases, we know that a toxic substance was sent to recycling, but we do not know how it was managed once it crossed the border. How much of it was recycled, and how much ended as a release to the environment.
Another important consideration is the toxicity of each of these substances. The substance transferred in the highest amounts is not always the most toxic. Mercury for example, was also transferred for recycling and disposal, but in lesser amounts.
* May be subject to different PRTR reporting requirements

8. North American Cross-border Transfers, 2009
This slide presents the top substances transferred, their source sector, destination, and waste management method.
Please keep in mind that reporting requirements vary from country to country (sector coverage, reporting thresholds, substances, etc.).
One substance the is covered under the three PRTR systems in North America is 1,2-Dichloroethane, a known carcinogen. This toxic chemical accounts for the bulk of the transfers from Mexico to the US. Some of its uses includes the production of PVC, and as a lead removal agent in gasoline production.

9. Transfers to Disposal (1,2-DCE) Mexico-US
These maps, developed using the TS online cross-border transfer tool track the transfer of 12DCE sent from a Pemex Petrochemical facility in Veracruz, Mexico (Complejo Petroquímico Morelos en Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz) to a hazardous waste handling facility in Deerpark, Texas (Clean Harbors). These maps allow you see the potential transfer route from Mexico to the US, and the surroundings of both the source and receiving facilities (residential areas).
With these maps, you can link to the information that the facility reported to their PRTR program.

10. Considerations
Use of PRTR data for assisting in tracking cross-border transfers
Reporting requirements
Information gaps
Waste Management Methods
Recycling, Disposal, Treatment
Effect on Receiving Communities
Health and Environmental Effects
Reporting and regulatory standards
1- PRTR data can be a valuable tool in tracking the movement of hazardous substances across borders. However, we see that the differences in reporting requirements create information gaps.
2- We have a degree of uncertainty as to the final environmental or health impacts of these transfers. How much was recycled, and how much ended as a release to the environment.
3- Do we have the appropriate environmental and health protections standards to deal with the potential effects of these toxic substances?

11. CEC North American PRTR Project
For more information
Orlando Cabrera Rivera
Program Manager,
Air Quality/PRTR
Telephone: (514)
Fax: (514)
Three countries. One environment.