Environmental Trends 2007

Contaminants

On-Site Discharges of Toxic Substances in B.C.

The National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) tracks release, disposal, and recycling of over 300 pollutants by industrial, commercial and institutional facilities in Canada.

Total on-site discharges (on-site releases and on-site disposal) in B.C.

Source: The National Pollutant Release Inventory, Environment Canada,2007

Lower figures in 2004 were due to more hydrogen sulphide transferred off-site for underground injection than in other years.

• In 2005, 466 facilities in British Columbia reported on-site release and disposal of 160 tonnes of toxic contaminants to the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI).

• In 2005, the twelve toxic pollutants discharged on-site in the largest quantities were: hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide, ammonia, methanol, hydrochloric acid, manganese, nitrate, styrene, hydrogen fluoride, zinc, chlorine dioxide and sulphuric acid.

• Substances not included in the table above include greenhouse gases, pesticides and substances being phased-out or banned, as well as the many small or non-point sources that release less than 10 tonnes per year (the reporting threshold for many substances under NPRI).

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth Report [pdf].

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