Inventory of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Environmental and Occupational Health Data
Sources and Surveillance Activities

Inventory of Data Sources

National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) (Environment Canada)

Contacts
Ora Kendall
Quantitative Analysis and Research Section
Strategic Policy Directorate
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Tel: (613) 954-2268
Fax: (613) 952-0844
E-mail: Ora_Kendall@hc-sc.gc.ca

Mark Vanderkloot
[Affiliation same as above]
Tel: (613) 952-6706
Fax: (613) 952-0844
E-mail: Mark_Vanderkloot@hc-sc.gc.ca

Organization(s) Maintaining
Environment Canada and Health Canada

Database URL
National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI)
http://www.ec.gc.ca/pdb/npri/npri_home_e.cfm

Purpose of Database
The NPRI database is the only legislated, nationwide, publicly accessible inventory of its kind in Canada. Its main objective is to provide Canadians with access to pollutant release information for facilities located in their communities. The NPRI also supports a number of environmental initiatives by providing information in identifying priorities for action; encourages industry to take voluntary measures to reduce releases; allows the tracking of progress in reducing releases; and supports a number of regulatory initiatives across Canada.

Content
Data on air, water, and soil pollutants (e.g., pesticides, hazardous substances). These data represent only a portion of all chemical pollutant releases and transfers to the environment from a range of non-industrial and industrial sources (more than 2,500 industrial facilities across Canada). This inventory provides information in accordance with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act on the release of 273 listed substances, which are emitted into the atmosphere, water and in/on the ground. Many other pollutants and other sources are reported to other inventories or are managed under other programs.

Data types: contaminant levels in media; chemical; geographic; risk factors. Geolocators: metropolitan area; province; postal codes; longitudinal / latitudinal coordinates.

The database is held on CD-ROM within Health Canada, which allows for data manipulation to further study and analysis.

Year Database Established
1994

Coverage Period
1994 to 2001

Data Updates
Annually

Data Provider
Environment Canada. Industrial facilities are required to report data collected by their staff to Environment Canada.

Data Availability
The main users of the data are environmental specialists at various levels of government and industry. Environmental groups, the media, and others also make use of the data.

Access to the CD-ROM containing the data is restricted to the database administrator, per a license agreement with Environment Canada. However, the information posted on Environment Canada's web site is publicly available.

Reports
Not specified