Toxic chemical releases drop in Connecticut

The release of toxic chemicals in Connecticut decreased by 17.5 percent between 2008 and 2009, according to data released last week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The release of toxic chemicals from 313 Connecticut facilities last year totaled 3.3 million pounds, down from 4 million pounds last year. For the six New England states, toxic chemical releases dropped by 10 percent from 2008 to 2009.

Each year, EPA makes publicly available toxic chemical data reported by industries throughout the United States regarding releases to air, water and land by power plants, manufacturers and other facilities employing 10 or more workers and exceeding thresholds for chemicals.

In Connecticut, the top toxic releases include nitrate compounds, ammonia, zinc compounds, sulfuric acid, copper compounds and hydrochloric acid.

The 10 facilities with the largest toxic chemical releases in 2009 were:

–          Dow NA Allyn’s Point Plant in Gales Ferry

–          AES Thames LLC in Uncasville

–          Cytec Industries Inc. in Wallingford

–          Tyco Healthcare Group LP U.S. Surgical Div. in North Haven

–          GBC Metals LLC Somers Thin Strip. in Waterbury

–          Lake Road Generating Co. in Dayville

–          Summit Corp. of America in Thomaston

–          Sartomer Co. Inc. in Stratford

–          Quality Rolling & Deburring Co. Inc. in Thomaston

–          Latex International in Shelton