On May 23, 2013, Environment Canada published the quality-controlled 2011 NPRI data. The 2011 NPRI data release covers facility-level information on releases of the 346 substances listed on the NPRI to air, water, land, as well as disposals and transfers for recycling. Total releases of pollutants to air, water and land reported to the NPRI fell by 20% between 2006-2011, and 4% between 2010-2011, driven by decreases from base metal smelters and other manufacturing facilities, and coal-fired electricity generating stations. These decreases were due to technology improvements, facility closures, and production decreases for certain facilities. 

While there was a 20% overall reduction, some substances have shown increases, such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from oil and gas operations due to increased production. The data were released in various formats, including an online data search application, downloadable data sets, and map layers for use with Google Earth™. The data are available on NPRI’s website.

The NPRI is Canada’s legislated, publicly accessible inventory of releases of pollutants, disposals, and transfers for recycling.

Contact: Paulo Costa, (819) 934-4214, Program Integration Division, Science and Risk Assessment Directorate