Reports with data analyzed by Rich Puchalsky

I've analyzed data for and in some cases helped to write reports for environmental groups. This work was concentrated in 1998-2004, after which advances in useability made these data easier to work with and groups more often used in-house staff.

Report name Description Publisher(s) Author(s) Date
A Toxic Flood This report accompanied the first release of PERI's Toxic 100 Water list, and examined Toxic Release Inventory water release weighted by toxicity. Political Economy Research Insistute and Food & Water Watch none April 2013
Pulp Fiction Subtitled "Chemical Hazard Reduction at Pulp and Paper Mills", this report used Risk Management Plan data as part of an examination of accident reduction methods at these facilities U.S. PIRG Education Fund Alex Fidis August 2007
Preventing Toxic Terrorism A survey of facilities that no longer reported using extremely hazardous substances under the Risk Management Plan program, identifying how they switched to safer alternatives Center for American Progress Paul Orum, Reese Rushing (project manager) April 2006
Undisclosed Pollution Subtitled "Local Impacts of the Bush Administration's Attack on the Toxic Release Inventory Program", this report analyzed three proposed rules that would weaken pollution reporting U.S. PIRG Education Fund Meghan Purvis December 2005
Toxic Chemical Sites in New Orleans In response to the Katrina hurricane disaster, listed major facilities and sites with toxic chemicals on-site that might have been affected by the flood. This information was also sent directly to emergency responders who had requested it. OMB Watch none September 9, 2005
Beyond Mercury Examined releases of lead, arsenic, dioxin, chromium, and other non-mercury air toxics from electric power plants National Environmental Trust for Clear the Air Jenn Choe, Joel Finkelstein, Tom Natan, and John Stanton August 26, 2004
Cabinet Confidential A report that used Massachusetts and New Jersey data to examine toxic chemicals within household products National Environmental Trust none listed July 15, 2004
Who's Counting? A report estimating the under-reporting of certain chemicals to TRI Environmental Integrity Project / Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention Kelly Haragan, John Wilson June 22, 2004
Toxic Neighbors An in-depth analysis of pollution from coal-fired electric power plants, using both TRI and other EPA data as well as energy data National Environmental Trust for Clear the Air Thomas E. Natan, Jr., John Stanton, Martha Keating December 3, 2003
Mercury Rising A report on pollution from electric power plants, focussing on mercury National Environmental Trust for Clear the Air Thomas E. Natan, Jr., Mark Wenzler May 3, 2002
Houston Flood A special report on toxic chemicals potentially swept away in the June 9-11 2001 Allison flood in Houston, Texas.

Grassroots Connection Rich Puchalsky June 12, 2001
America and Energy A booklet about California and national energy problems, intended to rebut false claims made in the media. National Environmental Trust none listed March 2001
Polluting Our Future Examined releases of chemicals that are of specific concern for child development, learning, and behavior. National Environmental Trust / Physicians for Social Responsibility / The Learning Disabilities Association of America none listed September 2000
Toxic Power Used first year of electric utility reporting within TRI to examine the industry as the largest air polluter. National Environmental Trust for Clear the Air Thomas E. Natan, Richard Puchalsky, Mark Wenzler August 7, 2000
Poisoning Our Water Looked at nationwide pollutant releases from manufacturers and publicly owned treatment plants, as well as water pollution permit violations. U.S. PIRG Jeremiah Baumann, Richard Caplan, Richard Puchalsky February 17, 2000
Accidents Waiting To Happen A report about accident risks from toxic and explosive chemicals used at manufacturing and other facilities. This report used the newly released Risk Management Plans. U.S.PIRG / Working Group on Community Right-To-Know Jeremiah Baumann, Paul Orum, Rich Puchalsky December 2, 1999
Poisoning Our Future This report summarized what was known and unknown about sources and quantities of Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics (PBTs), chemicals that persist in the environment and bioaccumulate within aquatic organisms and in the food chain. U.S.PIRG / National Environmental Trust Alison Laplante, Tom Natan, Rich Puchalsky November 17, 1998
Troubled Waters Subtitled "A Report on Toxic Releases Into America's Waterways", this report used TRI data to add up industrial releases into water bodies. U.S.PIRG Rich Puchalsky, Alison Laplante September 10, 1998
Too Close To Home About accident risks from chemical use at manufacturing facilities in the U.S. This report used TRI maximum amount on-site data to estimate vulnerable zones around TRI facilities. U.S.PIRG / National Environmental Law Center Alison Laplante, Hillel Grey July 22, 1998
Out of Sight, Out of Mind? About the injection of toxic waste into deep wells. Used data from TRI and BRS, as well as a survey of regions and states, to study toxic waste going to all Class I wells. National Environmental Trust Rich Puchalsky, Tom Natan July 1998
Trust Us, Don't Track Us An investigation and phone survey of the chemical industry's "Responsible Care" program. TRI data were used to choose facilities with large releases of pollution. U.S.PIRG Alison Laplante January 28, 1998
Where The Wastes Are Analyzed transfers of toxic chemicals to recycling, treatment, and disposal sites, using TRI data. OMB Watch / Unison Institute Alair MacLean, Rich Puchalsky April 1994

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