Toxic release facilities, or TRI facilities, are places that store and release toxic chemicals. The toxic chemicals stored in these facilities can worsen the impacts of natural disasters, like wildfires. With an increase in the frequency of wildfires in areas throughout Minnesota, more TRI facilities are being affected and could negatively impact the severity of the fires and their effects on the surrounding environment and community. With little to no regulations in place for responding to these natural disasters, it is important to better understand the potential impacts the chemicals stored in these facilities could have in a natural disaster to create effective protocols for response to such disasters. Determining the desired TRI facilities in higher-risk areas for wildfire disasters in Minnesota through a geospatial analysis, analyzing it alongside the specific chemicals each facility releases, and investigating how these chemicals respond to fire provides insight into how these facilities can potentially affect natural disasters. The research showed that the most commonly released chemicals by facilities in direct exposure areas were some with negative effects and reactions to fire, including lead, dioxins and like compounds, and ammonia. Gathering this information is the first step in creating effective protocols for TRI facilities in the event of a wildfire or pushing for further regulation, so these high-risk chemicals are not released in an area where their effects could be catastrophic. 

For more information: ighelm@eckerd.edu