The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s annual national analysis of the Toxics Release Inventory shows that Avago Technologies in Fort Collins emitted almost 35 tons of the volatile organic compound n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone in 2013. The electronics manufacturing company released 17,702 pounds of the VOC in 2012.
The EPA data also showed that ammonia releases at the Anheuser-Busch brewery increased in 2013 to 25,407 pounds. The brewery released 20,657 pounds of ammonia in 2012, 25,021 pounds in 2011 and 29,650 pounds in 2010.
Top Larimer County toxic compound air emitters in 2013:
• Avago Technologies of Fort Collins: 69,320 pounds of n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or NMP, a volatile organic compound.
• Anheuser-Busch of Fort Collins: 25,407 pounds of ammonia.
• Rawhide Energy Station north of Wellington: 6,780 pounds of hydrochloric acid plus mercury compounds, hydrogen flouride, lead and other heavy metal compounds.
Larimer County’s overall largest emitter of toxic compounds continues to be the coal-powered Rawhide Energy Station, which buried or released into the air more than 614,604 pounds of toxic compounds in 2013.
The TRI program publishes information on toxic chemical disposals and other releases into the air, land and water, as well as information on waste management and pollution prevention activities in neighborhoods across the country. Many of the releases from TRI facilities are regulated under various EPA programs and requirements designed to limit human and environmental harm.
TRI data is submitted annually to EPA and states by multiple industry sectors including manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities and commercial hazardous waste facilities.
Facilities must report their toxic chemical releases for the previous year to EPA under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act by July 1. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires information on waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.
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