Databases That Drive Change: Tools to Help Communities Fight Pollution and Protect Health

When it comes to reducing air pollution, water contamination, and the illnesses they cause, knowledge is power. Thanks to decades of environmental regulation, transparency laws, and public advocacy, there are now dozens of databases available to help communities, activists, researchers, and policymakers track pollution sources, corporate practices, and government actions.

Whether you’re looking to identify local polluters, track hazardous waste, analyze corporate accountability, or find clean energy solutions, these databases offer the information you need to make a difference.

Environmental Data and Pollution Tracking

TRI database (Toxic Release Inventory)
The premier U.S. database of toxic chemical releases and waste from industrial facilities.

PCS database (Permit Compliance System)
Tracks water pollution permits and compliance records for facilities nationwide.

EGRID database
Details power plant emissions of CO2, SO2, and NOx, helping communities track pollution from electricity generation.

GHG database
EPA’s data on greenhouse gas emissions from large point sources, essential for fighting climate change.

RSEI database (Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators)
Weights TRI data by toxicity, environmental path, and population exposed, making it easier to prioritize high-risk facilities.

NPRI database (Canada)
Canada’s National Pollutant Release Inventory — a counterpart to TRI that tracks toxic chemical releases.

New Jersey RPR database
Reports on chemical use and toxic chemicals in products as part of New Jersey’s Community Right-To-Know Act.

Massachusetts TURA data
Chemical use, waste generation, and toxic chemicals in products reported under Massachusetts’s Toxics Use Reduction Act.

Energy and Emissions

1605(b) EIA database
Voluntary actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

33/50 project data set
Commitments made under EPA’s voluntary 33/50 emissions reduction program.

Acid Rain ETS data
CO2, NOx, and SO2 emissions tracked under the Clean Air Market programs.

EIA energy data
Comprehensive data on power plant fuel use, electricity generation, and pollution.

MPG database
EPA vehicle tests for miles-per-gallon, supporting cleaner transportation choices.

Hazardous Waste, Accidents, and Superfund

BRS database (RCRAInfo)
Tracks hazardous waste generation, transfer, treatment, and disposal.

RCRIS database (RCRAInfo)
Hazardous waste permits, compliance, and management data.

CERCLIS database
Information about Superfund and potential Superfund sites.

RODS data set (Records of Decision System)
Documents decisions made on Superfund site cleanups.

RMP database
Risk Management Program data on accident potential, worst-case scenarios, and accident response plans.

ARIP database
Surveys of facilities with major air releases of toxic chemicals from accidents.

ERNS database
Reports of chemical accidents and oil spills made to the National Response Center.

SETS data set (PRP)
Records of letters to Potentially Responsible Parties for Superfund sites.

Government Actions and Accountability

DOCKET database (ICIS)
Enforcement actions and civil court cases brought by the EPA against polluters.

CRP’s PAC data set
Political contributions data, helping to trace influence of polluters on politics.

FAADS database
Details U.S. federal grants and assistance.

FPDS database
Tracks U.S. federal government contracts.

Recovery.gov Recipient Reports
Info on contracts and aid from Recovery Act funding.

Health and Risk Data

IRIS database
EPA’s peer-reviewed data on chemical health effects.

TDS database (Total Diet Study)
Tests for pesticide residues in prepared foods.

TSCATS data set
Health effect documents submitted to the EPA under TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act).

SRD database
Estimates of toxic chemical ingredients in products.

Mapping and Integration Tools

LANDVIEW mapping program
A free mapping program with geographic data about regulated sites, political boundaries, and more.

FINDS database (FRS)
Links facility records across databases for unified tracking.

EMCI database
Integrates chemical names across environmental databases.

SFIP data set
Combines information on major facilities in key industries from various databases.

How CleanRecoveryAct.com Helps You Use This Data

CleanRecoveryAct.com makes these powerful datasets easier for the public to access and understand. Through its interactive tools, people can search for polluters near their home, see what chemicals are being released in their area, find out if companies have been fined or cited, learn about solutions like bioremediation and clean technology, and connect with experts and advocates for positive change.

Together, we can use this data to build healthier, safer, and cleaner communities.

Environmental Data and Pollution Tracking
TRI database (Toxic Release Inventory)
https://www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program

PCS database (Permit Compliance System)
https://echo.epa.gov

EGRID database
https://www.epa.gov/egrid

GHG database
https://ghgdata.epa.gov

RSEI database (Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators)
https://www.epa.gov/rsei

NPRI database (Canada)
https://pollution-waste.canada.ca/npri

New Jersey RPR database
https://www.nj.gov/dep/opra/ (data requests)

Massachusetts TURA data
https://www.mass.gov/toxics-use-reduction-program

Energy and Emissions
1605(b) EIA database
https://www.eia.gov/oiaf/1605/

33/50 project data set
https://archive.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/wastemin/web/html/33_50.html

Acid Rain ETS data
https://www.epa.gov/airmarkets

EIA energy data
https://www.eia.gov

MPG database
https://www.fueleconomy.gov

Hazardous Waste, Accidents, and Superfund
BRS database (RCRAInfo)
https://rcrainfo.epa.gov

RCRIS database (RCRAInfo)
https://rcrainfo.epa.gov

CERCLIS database
https://www.epa.gov/superfund

RODS data set (Records of Decision System)
https://semspub.epa.gov/src/collection/RODS

RMP database
https://www.epa.gov/rmp

ARIP database
Data generally accessed through FOIA or EPA archives

ERNS database
https://www.nrc.uscg.mil

SETS data set (PRP)
Access via Superfund document collections: https://www.epa.gov/superfund

Government Actions and Accountability
DOCKET database (ICIS)
https://echo.epa.gov

CRP’s PAC data set
https://www.opensecrets.org

FAADS database
https://sam.gov

FPDS database
https://www.fpds.gov

Recovery.gov Recipient Reports
https://www.treasury.gov/initiatives/recovery/Pages/recovery-act.aspx

Health and Risk Data
IRIS database
https://iris.epa.gov

TDS database (Total Diet Study)
https://www.fda.gov/food/science-research-food/total-diet-study

TSCATS data set
https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory (access through TSCA inventory resources)

SRD database
Not publicly available as a standalone database

Mapping and Integration Tools
LANDVIEW mapping program
https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2000/dec/landview.html

FINDS database (FRS)
https://www.epa.gov/frs

EMCI database
Part of EPA Envirofacts: https://enviro.epa.gov

SFIP data set
https://archive.epa.gov/echo/sfip/web/html/index.html