Posted on: Tuesday, July 1, 2003

Toxic releases up 137 percent; change in reporting cited

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Staff Writer

Industries in Hawai'i reported a 137 percent increase in the amount of toxic chemicals released into the air, land and water in the year 2001, according to data released yesterday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

However, most of the increase is attributable to changes in the way facilities report certain releases, and not because of changes in production levels.

The data is part of the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory, an annual measure of toxic chemical releases, transfers and waste generated by facilities in the United States.

In Hawai'i, 38 facilities reported 3.1 million pounds of toxic chemical releases, ranking 49th in total releases nationwide.

Most of the 137 percent increase came from electricity-generating facilities using different calculation methods and first-time reporting from four military facilities.

In addition, reporting thresholds for lead and lead compounds were lowered from 2000 reporting limits, increasing the number of facilities reporting releases this year.

The top five facilities for total on- and off-site releases in Hawai'i are: Hawaiian Electric Industry Inc.'s Kahe generating station, Kapolei, 904,000 pounds; Hawaiian Electric's Waiau generating station, Pearl City, 338,000 pounds; U.S. Army Schofield Barracks, 327,000 pounds; Hill Generating Station, Hilo, 260,000 pounds; and Chevron Prods. Co. Hawaii Refinery, Kapolei, 212,000 pounds.