PFAS in the TRI: How "Forever Chemicals" Get Tracked
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — often called "forever chemicals" because they don\'t break down in the environment or the human body — have become one of the most significant environmental health concerns of the past decade. In 2020, EPA added a group of PFAS compounds to the Toxic Release Inventory, creating the first systematic national database of PFAS releases from industrial facilities. Understanding what that data does and doesn\'t capture is essential for using it responsibly.
Which PFAS Are Tracked
The initial TRI addition in 2020 covered 172 PFAS compounds. Subsequent regulatory updates have expanded this list and modified reporting thresholds. The most notorious PFAS — PFOA and PFOS — are not manufactured in significant quantities in the U.S. anymore (they were voluntarily phased out by major manufacturers in the 2000s), but many replacement PFAS compounds are still in production and subject to TRI reporting. EmissionsLookup tracks PFAS-reporting facilities at the PFAS facilities index.
Lower Reporting Thresholds
One significant feature of the PFAS TRI addition: PFAS compounds were given lower reporting thresholds than most other TRI chemicals. While standard TRI reporting thresholds are 25,000 lbs manufactured/processed or 10,000 lbs otherwise used, PFAS compounds have a 100 lb threshold. This reflects concern about PFAS persistence and bioaccumulation — even small quantities released over time can accumulate to harmful levels in soil, water, and living organisms.
What Industries Report PFAS
PFAS TRI reports come primarily from: semiconductor manufacturing (which uses PFAS in chip fabrication), fluoropolymer producers, metal plating operations, textile and apparel finishing operations, and paper/packaging manufacturers. Military bases and airports (which historically used PFAS-containing firefighting foam) are notable for PFAS contamination but fall under different reporting programs. Browse PFAS-reporting facilities by industry at our industry index.
Limitations of TRI PFAS Data
TRI captures releases at industrial reporting facilities — it does not capture the full scope of PFAS contamination in the U.S. environment. Historical contamination from decades of use before TRI reporting was required, releases from facilities below reporting thresholds, and contamination from consumer products are all outside TRI\'s scope. The EPA\'s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and the Superfund program address some historical contamination, but the TRI is the primary ongoing release tracker. For community context around PFAS-reporting facilities, CensusDepth can provide demographic data on who lives in affected areas.