Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers

Abstract

A pollutant release and transfer register (PRTR) is an environmental database or inventory of potentially harmful chemicals and/or pollutants released to air, water, and soil, and transferred offsite for treatment. In most member countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the involvement of the public in environmental decision making is regarded as an important component of sustainable development. Most OECD countries have established PRTRs. This article outlines the PRTR system in various countries (United States, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan) as well as regional systems such as the North American Pollutant Release and Transfer Register and the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register.