National Pollutant Release Inventory 201

In the NPRI 201 course, you will be introduced to the six main types of datasets available that allow access to the data collected by the NPRI. You will also learn how to best select the appropriate dataset, as well as to navigate and interpret the data correctly.

In this course you will learn:

• the types of datasets available on the NPRI website (Module 4)
• how to select the appropriate dataset for different uses (Module 5)
• how to navigate and use a selected NPRI dataset (Module 5)
• how to accurately interpret the NPRI data (Module 6)
• data considerations and limitations to be aware of when using NPRI data (Module 7)

Module 4 to 7 must be completed in order.

In this module

• Types of NPRI datasets
• NPRI data search
• Online maps
• Virtual maps
• Single year tables
• Five year summaries
• All years datasets
• Review

Types of NPRI datasets

Thousands of facilities located across the country report to the NPRI each year. The NPRI makes this data available to the public on its website. You can search the entire database, download subsets of data, or visualize the data on maps.

The data can be used in different ways. For example:

• individuals can use it to track pollutants in their own neighbourhoods
• researchers can use it to monitor substances that may impact air and water quality
• governments can use it to help inform environmental policies

In this module, we will take a look at six datasets and give a general overview of which dataset is best to use under different circumstances and for different data needs.

The various NPRI datasets can be accessed on our Explore data page.

NPRI data search

The NPRI data search provides a method to search detailed and specific information on reported pollutant releases, disposals and transfers for recycling from 1993 to the latest reporting year available. The data search is also where the preliminary data (unreviewed) are published.

It is a useful tool when you need to find facilities that meet selected search criteria, or all of the information reported by one facility. However, it can only search a single year at a time, and data manipulation is not possible.

The data search provides a custom search function to find specific information. It can be broken down by air, land, water and industrial sector per year.

Online maps

The NPRI online maps are interactive and show the locations of reporting facilities as well as their data for the latest reporting year. The online maps include colour-coded markers, which separate the facilities by industrial sector.

Online maps are the most effective online tool to view the location of reporting facilities and compare total data reported by facilities. However, these only search based on the latest single year and provide an aggregated total only (no substance breakdown). Direct data manipulation is also not possible with this dataset.

All the data used to generate NPRI maps can be downloaded in .csv format (one file per map) or .gdb format (all data in the same file) to create your own maps with a mapping software such as ArcGIS^TM. The below links can be used to access the various types of online maps:

• Facility location
• Main air pollutants
• Other air pollutants
• Water pollutants
• Land pollutants
• Disposals and transfers of pollutants

Virtual maps

NPRI virtual maps provide the ability to view the locations of facilities that report to the NPRI, their industrial sector, and their high-level data for the last three reporting years. You can filter the data by province or by industrial sector, while viewing a satellite picture of the earth.

While the virtual maps are similar to the online maps, and also use colour coded markers to represent a sector, they provide more detailed information by showing a satellite image. These maps are useful for viewing the location of reporting facilities within a specific sector or province, or finding facilities near points of interest.

To use the virtual maps, you will need to have access to a virtual globe software, such as Google Earth™. Then, you can download the KMZ file for the year you are interested in and explore the data.

All the data used to generate NPRI maps can also be downloaded in .csv format (one file per map) or .gdb format (all data in the same file) if you want to create your own maps with mapping software such as ArcGIS™.

Single year tables

The single year tables are one of the NPRI’s tabular datasets. These tables, which include one year of data each, are available for the past three reporting years. These tables display data for a single year and include facility names, locations, sectors, substances released, disposed and transferred, terrestrial ecozones, watersheds and economic region.

They are used to navigate, sort and filter data depending on users’ specific interests or data requirements, but cannot be used to generate trends.

The single year tabular datasets are available for use with a spreadsheet application, such as in Microsoft Excel, in both .csv and .xlsx format.

*Note: These datasets require basic knowledge of how to use spreadsheet software. Users should be at ease with the use of intermediate features such as filters and pivot tables. The steps on how to use NPRI data with Excel are presented further in the training.

Five year summaries

The NPRI also provides a set of data tables that contain information from the past five reporting years. These are similar to the single year tables but provide data in a more summarized format. These files provide summaries of annual total releases by media (air, water or land), province, industry or substance for the past five years. The five year summaries also provide the number of facilities represented by each aggregated data point.

The five year summaries allow a user to find data by province, sector or substance as well as obtain high-level trends using tools such as pivot tables. Some limitations to this dataset are that they only provide data on pollutants that are released (therefore no disposal or recycling data). The aggregated data cannot be broken down at the facility level, and there is not a substance breakdown for the industry files.

The five year summaries are available in downloadable .csv files, and can be used with a spreadsheet application such as Microsoft Excel.

*Note: These datasets require basic knowledge of how to use spreadsheet software. Users should be at ease with the use of intermediate features such as filters and pivot tables. The steps on how to use NPRI data with Excel are presented further in the training.

All years datasets

The last type of tabular data files that are available is the series of all years datasets. These files contain data reported to the NPRI since 1993 to the latest reporting year, which are available in several summary format files: comments, geolocations, disposals, releases, and transfers for treatment or recycling.

The data from these tables can help users generate trends, produce graphs and charts, and allow for the comparison of data that covers several years. Similar to the other tabular datasets, data analysis can be done using pivot tables as well.

These tables are available in downloadable .csv files to be used with a spreadsheet application, such as Microsoft Excel. These datasets contains limited information about facilities.

*Note: These datasets require basic knowledge of how to use spreadsheet software. Users should be at ease with the use of intermediate features such as filters and pivot tables.

Review

Which one of the following statements is true when using the NPRI data search?

1. The NPRI data search allows users to conduct searches to find facilities that meet selected search criteria, over several years.
2. The NPRI data search allows users to conduct searches to find facilities that meet selected search criteria, or all the information reported by one facility.
3. The NPRI data search allows users to find high-level data and complete data manipulation

What type of NPRI maps allow a user to view data for multiple years and in more detail?

1. online maps
2. virtual maps
3. data maps

Which of the following datasets allow the user to view data for more than a single year at a time?

1. online and virtual maps
2. data search
3. five year summaries and all year datasets

In this module

• NPRI data search
• Online maps
• Virtual maps
• Single year tables
• Five year summaries
• All years datasets

In Module 5, you will learn how to use the various datasets and help a classmate at the NPRI School retrieve some information. To help determine which data product you would like to learn more about, use the NPRI Quick Reference Guide.

Note: You can learn more about using spreadsheet software to access the tabular datasets by viewing training videos for Microsoft Excel.

NPRI data search

André is a 21-year-old university student who lives in Vancouver. As a biology major, he has recently learned in one of his classes that environmental factors, such as air quality and the level of air pollutants, can play a role in his health. A classmate introduced him to the NPRI datasets, where he discovered that the data search tool could help inform him, in combination with other resources, on the quantity of air pollutants released in his city for a given year.

Let’s look at the steps on how to use the data search, and how we can find specific information on air pollutant quantity in a city.

To start, access the NPRI data search website.

1. Select the year you would like to search.
2. Type in the facility name or ID or select one or more of the advanced search criteria (substance, category, location, community or key industrial sector, etc.).
3. Scroll down and click the “Search” button. The more criteria you select, the more your search will be refined. It is not necessary to fill out all the search fields to obtain results.
4. A table with the list of facilities that meets the selected criteria will appear.
5. Click on any displayed facilities to find out more about the reported data.

NPRI data search review

André needs help in finding if carbon monoxide, which is a common air pollutant that worsens asthmatic symptoms, was an emitted pollutant in his city in 2017.

Can you help André find out how many facilities in Vancouver, and surrounding major urban centers in British Columbia, contributed to carbon monoxide air pollution in 2017? Please select the best answer from the choices below:

• 10
• 26
• 7

André would like to know which city in Saskatchewan had a single facility reporting under the Plastics and Rubber industry in 2015.

1. Regina
2. Moose Jaw
3. Saskatoon

Using the data search tool, help André find the province that had the highest reported ammonia releases in 2013 from wastewater treatment facilities. 

1. British Columbia
2. Saskatchewan
3. Nova Scotia

Online maps

Nadia is a social media strategist who works for a Canadian environmental organization which aims to provide awareness and education on water quality to high schools. As part of the organization’s next social media campaign on clean water, she has to develop social media posts promoting awareness to high school students on substances that impact water quality, and which areas of the country have higher releases of substances to water.

Let’s look at the steps on how to use the online maps, and how we can find specific information on water pollutants.

To start, access the NPRI online maps located on the NPRI explore data page and select the type of map you would like access to (facility locations, main air pollutants, other air pollutants, water pollutants, land pollutants and disposals and transfers of pollutants).

Once the selected map has loaded, you can interact with it by:

• clicking on any “facility (dot)” to view the information about the facility
• using the search bar to zoom on a city, or region, or by scrolling with panel tool at the bottom right corner
• clicking on the layers icon to expand the side pane and view the legend and to filter with more options
  • you may also use filters to view facilities by industry (select the check mark on side)

NPRI online maps review

Nadia would like to know if the following statement is true.

There are more facilities with less than 500 tonnes releases in Canada, than facilities with over 10,000 tonnes releases.

Use the water pollutant map from NPRI online maps to help you find the answer.

Using the facility locations online map, help Nadia find which two provinces had the largest number of facilities that reported from the chemical industrial sector.

1. British Columbia and Quebec
2. Ontario and Quebec
3. Alberta and Nova Scotia

Virtual maps

Hélène works as an environmental compliance officer for the Quebec provincial government. She ensures that waste management facilities are not in close physical proximity to each other or to residential areas. She is currently in the process of verifying compliance of waste treatment and disposal facilities for the year 2019, and verifying if they were complying with established facility distances and residential boundaries in Quebec City and surrounding municipalities.

Let’s look at the steps on how to use the virtual maps, and how we can find specific information on the distances between waste treatment and disposal facilities.

Here are the steps to follow and options to use the virtual maps (note: you will need to download and install a virtual globe software such as Google Earth^TM to access the .kmz files). The instructions below assume the use of Google Earth^TM and may differ from other virtual globe programs.

To start, Access the NPRI virtual globe maps and download the .kmz file of interest by selecting the year and language.

Once the file is open, you can search for a specific location by name by using the search bar (ex: Flin Flon, Manitoba).

You can select to view facilities in one or more provinces or industry types by expanding the folders in “my places” and selecting/deselecting the check boxes. Click on a “facility (dot)” to see more information on pollutant releases, disposals and transfers.

You can drag and drop the orange Street View icon on the right to see the facility at ground level (if imagery is available).

Virtual Maps review

Hélène needs help finding how many waste treatment and disposal facilities were in the Quebec City area in 2019.

Use the NPRI virtual globe maps for the year 2019 to help her find the answer:

• 14
• 3
• 10

Using the virtual globe maps with 2019 data, Hélène would like to know if the waste treatment and disposal facility “Safety-Kleen Canada Inc.” in St. Augustin-de-Desmaures (next to Quebec City) is located within 400m of a residential sector.

Using the virtual maps for 2019 and the ruler tool at the top of the screen in Google Earth^TM, Hélène would like to know if the two waste treatment and disposal facilities, “Incinérateur” (Quebec City) and “Safety-Kleen Canada Inc.” in St. Augustin-de-Desmaures, are located more than 10 km apart.

Single year tables

Taylor works as a geochemist in the oil and gas industry in Alberta. Their company requires NPRI data or national-level information to analyze the quantities of substances released to air, land, and water by the company they work for. This information is used to compare the facility’s reported releases with other facilities from the same industrial sector, to compare their releases and make sure they did not make any mistakes when they did their calculations.

Let’s look at the steps on how to use the single year tables, and how we can retrieve information on releases to air, land, and water from facilities in certain industrial sectors in a province.

Here are the steps to follow and options to use the single year tables (note: you will need to download and install a spreadsheet application, such as Microsoft Excel to access the .csv and .xlsx files):

Access the NPRI single year data tables and download the .csv or the .xslx file based on the year you need. Under the INRP-NPRI (year) tabe at the bottom, you can see all of the information for that reporting year, including facility locations, watersheds, ecozones, air releases, water releases land releases, etc. You can use the drop down arrow in each column to sort the data.

To create a pivot table go to the "Insert" tab at the top of the window in Excel, and select the pivot table option on the ribbon.

Select the range of data you would like to include in your analysis and whether or not you would like a new worksheet to be created for the pivot table.

Choose the fields to add to the new report. You can also drag fields to the different areas (filters, columns, rows and values) to sort the data further. You can also move the fields around within each area to change the order in which the fields are displayed.

If needed, you can learn more about this software with the help of online resources, such as training videos for Microsoft Excel.

Note:

• If you are using the French version of Excel, make sure that the decimal point is represented by a comma and not a period. Otherwise formulas will not work.
• For pivot tables, always verify that the data entered under Values is formatted by Sum and not by Number. Otherwise, by default, Excel will count the number of results instead of the total quantity. To ensure that total quantity is being used, click on the arrow to display the drop-down menu, click on Value Field Settings and select Sum. Click OK to apply the change.

Single year tables review

Taylor needs to verify the NPRI ID of their company, “Husky Oil Operations Limited” in Calgary at the “Husky Lloyd 16-4-49-2” facility, so that they can find further information on releases in 2019.

Use the NPRI single year table for the year 2019 to help them find the answer.

Please select the correct NPRI ID for this facility from one of the choices below:

• 31678
• 31628
• 21581

Using the single year table for 2019, and selecting the NPRI ID 31678, Taylor would like to know how many substances were released by stacks (under air emissions) for their company (Husky Oil Operations Limited), in quantities greater than 10 tonnes.

Please select the correct answer from one of the choices below:

• 10
• 2
• 3

Using the single year table for 2019, and sorting the column for releases from stacks (under air emissions) from highest to lowest, can you help Taylor find the name of the company which own the facility with the largest reported substance release (in tonnes) in the same key industrial sector (NAICS 4: 2111) of oil and gas extraction?

Please select the correct answer from one of the choices below:

1. Syncrude Canada Ltd.
2. Canadian Natural Resources Limited
3. Keyera Corp

Five year summaries

Elisapie recently completed her PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto. She focused on monitoring air pollutant emissions across Canada and correlating that data geographically with industry sector activity. She wants to better understand how industries impact air quality so that governments can set policies to curb air pollution emissions.

As part of her postdoctoral research, Elisapie has been monitoring air pollutant emissions through measuring instruments installed at various facilities over the past five years. The measurements are used to compare the data reported to the government with the actual measured emissions.

Let’s look at the steps to obtain data on reported releases to air for the past five years.

Here are the steps to follow in order to use the five year summaries (note: you will need to download and install a spread sheet application, such as Microsoft Excel to access the .csv files):

Access the NPRI five year summaries and select and download the .csv based on either industry, province, or substance (as well as air, water, or land). Once opened, to convert the data into a table:

• select cell A1
• onthe top home tab, click "format as table"
• select your table style and ensure all data is selected and that the "My table has headers" checkbox is ticked
• click "OK"

You can now sort and filter the data in the tables using the drop-down filters and pivot tables.

To create a pivot table go to the "Insert" tab at the top of the window in Excel, and select the pivot table option on the ribbon.

Select the range of data you would like to include in your analysis and whether or not you would like a new worksheet to be created for the pivot table.

Choose the fields to add to the new report. You can also drag fields to the different areas (filters, columns, rows and values) to sort the data further. You can also move the fields around within each area to change the order in which the fields are displayed.

If needed, you can learn more about this software with the help of online resources, such as training videos for Microsoft Excel.

Note:

• If you are using the French version of Excel, make sure that the decimal point is represented by a comma and not a period. Otherwise formulas will not work.
• For pivot tables, always verify that the data entered under Values is formatted by Sum and not by Number. Otherwise, by default, Excel will count the number of results instead of the total quantity. To ensure that total quantity is being used, click on the arrow to display the drop-down menu, click on Value Field Settings and select Sum. Click OK to apply the change.

Five year summaries review

Elisapie wants to see the releases to air of nitrogen oxides on the east coast of Canada over the last 5 years. Her areas of interest include the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Which province on the east coast had the most facilities reporting releases of nitrogen oxides to air for any one year between 2015 and 2019?

Use the NPRI five year summaries for air releases by province to help her find the answer.

1. New Brunswick
2. Nova Scotia
3. Prince Edward Island

Using the five year summary file, can you help Elisapie find which east coast province had the highest reported air releases of nitrogen oxides between the years of 2015 and 2019?

Please select the correct answer from the choices below:

1. Newfoundland and Labrador
2. New Brunswick
3. Nova Scotia
4. Prince Edward Island

By using a pivot table, can you help Elisapie find the average air releases of nitrogen oxides for all the east coast provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island) between the years of 2015 and 2019?

All years datasets

Bao is involved with an organization that promotes sustainability in the forestry industry in Canada. He needs to develop a report to present to the organization’s board members on the pollutants released by the pulp and paper industry, to demonstrate how sustainable forestry can help reduce these emissions. As part of his report, he will need to show trends on pollutants released by this industry over the past 10 years.

Let’s look at the steps on how to obtain the reported data on pollutants released by a specific industry over several years, and to view trends.

Here are the steps to follow in order to use the all years datasets (note: you will need to download and install a spreadsheet application, such as Microsoft Excel to access the .csv files):

Access the NPRI all years datasets and select and download the .csv based on either geolocation, comments, or substance quantities (releases, disposals or transfers).

To convert the data in the file into table form:

• select cell A1
• onthe top home tab, click "format as table"
• select your table style and ensure all data is selected and that the "My table has headers" checkbox is ticked
• click "OK"

You can now sort and filter the data in the tables using the drop-down filters and pivot tables.

To create a pivot table go to the "Insert" tab at the top of the window in Excel, and select the pivot table option on the ribbon.

Select the range of data you would like to include in your analysis and whether or not you would like a new worksheet to be created for the pivot table.

Choose the fields to add to the new report. You can also drag fields to the different areas (filters, columns, rows and values) to sort the data further. You can also move the fields around within each area to change the order in which the fields are displayed.

If needed, you can learn more about this software with the help of online resources, such as training videos for Microsoft Excel.

Note:

• If you are using the French version of Excel, make sure that the decimal point is represented by a comma and not a period. Otherwise formulas will not work.
• For pivot tables, always verify that the data entered under Values is formatted by Sum and not by Number. Otherwise, by default, Excel will count the number of results instead of the total quantity. To ensure that total quantity is being used, click on the arrow to display the drop-down menu, click on Value Field Settings and select Sum. Click OK to apply the change.

All years datasets review

Bao needs to compare the number of pulp and paper facilities that reported in 1999 and 2019 to see if there has been an increase in the number of facilities over the last 20 years.

Go to the NPRI all years datasets and download the geolocation file to help him find the answer.

Please select the correct answer:

1. it has not decreased when comparing 1999 and 2019 data
2. it has decreased when comparing 1999 and 2019 data
3. it has increased when comparing 1999 and 2019 data

Using the geolocation file of the all years datasets, can you help Bao determine if the number of reporting facilities for the wood products sector has increased since 1999?

Using the geolocation file of the all years datasets, can you help Bao determine which three provinces have been increasing the number of reporting facilities within the pulp and paper and wood production industry from 2017 to 2019?

In this module

• Compare elements similar to one another
• Consult the NPRI data for changes
• Pollution risk assessment with NPRI data
• Review

Compare elements similar to one another

Since the NPRI was created, many substances have been added or deleted. It is important to always consult the history of reporting requirements before analyzing or interpreting NPRI data over time, to avoid drawing false conclusions such as trends in substances released.

There are several factors to keep in mind when interpreting NPRI data. The most important is to compare elements which are similar to one another.

Consult the NPRI data for changes

The NPRI is continuously expanding to meet the needs of various data users. Since 1993, the NPRI has modified, added and deleted substances, sectors and activities, and requested the reporting of additional supporting information. As the graph shows, the number of substances and the number of facilities has grown since the NPRI was first established.

It is important to always consult the history of reporting requirements before analyzing or interpreting NPRI data trends over time.

Reporting requirements change and this can affect data interpretation. Changes can be due to:

• events or changes at facilities (e.g.: changes in production levels)
• implementation of regulations or other requirements
• changes in concentrations or method detection limits

For example, variations in reported quantities can be caused by changes made to reporting thresholds, the addition or deletion of substances and/or target activities, and changes in units of measure.

The history of reporting requirements page lists several categories of changes based on the year, change category and the description of the change.

Pollution risk assessment with NPRI data

NPRI data on its own is not enough to assess the risks and impacts posed by pollution to the environment and human health. However, you can get more information when you combine it with information from other sources and consider factors such as:

• inherent toxicity
• physical and chemical properties (such as, persistence, bioaccumulation)
• the medium (air, land or water) affected by the substance released
• transport and transformation (movement, breakdown) pathways
• amount, timing, nature and level of exposure to people or animals to the substance

The Government of Canada assesses broader health and environmental risks of substances through initiatives like the Chemicals Management Plan.

Review

Which one of the following statements is true when interpreting NPRI data?

1. When comparing NPRI data it is not necessary to compare similar elements, as data is adjusted to take into account the difference between them.
2. When comparing NPRI data it is necessary to compare similar elements, such as similar substances and environmental compartments.
3. When comparing NPRI data it is necessary to compare similar elements, such as similar provinces and facilities with similar NPRI IDs.

What is the best reference to use on the NPRI website to see changes over time in reporting requirements and interpret data accurately?

1. NPRI data search tool
2. sector overviews
3. the history of reporting requirements

Is the data collected by the NPRI enough information to make informed decisions on impacts of pollution on the environment and human health?

In this module

• Common data analysis mistakes
• Data limitations
• Review

Common data analysis mistakes

When using the NPRI data it is important to consider how to avoid common data analysis mistakes so that you have accurate and reliable data and information.

Use reviewed data

The NPRI publishes preliminary (also known as un-reviewed) data around July each year to allow facilities to self-check and compare their pollutant releases with those of other facilities in their industrial sector. Analyses performed before December for the last reporting year may thus be affected by reporting errors. These errors become less prevalent once the NPRI completes its quality control activities in September and publishes the reviewed data around December.

In addition, data for previous years may change since facilities can correct previously reported data if they find errors or improve their calculation methods. Some facilities may also report late and miss the publication deadline. These updates and late reports will be available publicly the following year, once the data products are reviewed.

Understand what zero and no data means

There are several reasons why facilities may report zeros for quantities:

• the reporting criteria were met, but the substance was not released, disposed or transferred
• the measured or estimated value of the substance quantity equals to zero
• the substance is an acid and was neutralized (pH of 6.0 or greater) before exiting the facility

For additional information see the "Using our data" section of our using and interpreting data from the NPRI page.

There are two reasons why facilities can report no data for dioxins, furans and hexachlorobenzene:

1. If the reporting criteria were met (the facility did one or more of the listed activities), but they have no data, or cannot find emission factors, they must report “No information available (NI)” as their estimation method.
2.  If the measured concentration of the substance is lower than the level of quantification (LoQ) set by Environment and Climate Change Canada, reporting the quantity is optional but the facility must indicate that the LoQ was not met.

The level of quantification (LoQ) is defined in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 as “the lowest concentration that can be accurately measured using sensitive but routine sampling and analytical methods.

Pay attention to units of measurement

You may find quantities reported in different units of measurement, even for similar substances (like metals) or for the same substance over time. The NPRI uses the following units:

• tonnes
• kilograms (kg)
• grams (g)
• grams of toxic equivalent (g TEQ)

Facilities are also able to report directly in TEQ if they don’t have information on the individual congeners.

It is important to pay attention to the units used, especially when you are comparing substances.

Avoid double or triple counting

Some substances are subsets of others. Adding them together may lead to double or triple counting.

Here are the potential double-counting sources of errors you may encounter when using NPRI data:

 Total reduced sulphur (TRS) consists of six different gaseous contaminants in the context of NPRI reporting: carbonyl sulphide, carbon disulphide, hydrogen sulphide, dimethyl sulphide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl disulphide. Only TRS releases to air are tracked by the NPRI. As well, three of these substances are reported individually. To avoid double counting and overestimating releases in your analysis, count only total TRS or subtract the individually listed substances.

Particulate matter (PM) is divided into three size fractions: PM smaller than or equal to 2.5 microns (PM_2.5), PM smaller than or equal to 10 microns (PM₁₀) and total particulate matter (TPM).

All three can be reported individually, but to avoid double counting PM releases, keep in mind that PM₁₀ includes PM_2.5, while TPM includes all particulate matter (including both PM₁₀, PM _2.5).

Depending on your analysis, you may choose to focus on a specific fraction, look only at TPM values, or look at all three fractions for a facility and choose the largest reported value to count them all.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are included in four of the different substance parts in the NPRI. This means that these substances may belong to several categories at the same time. For example, aniline, benzene and chlorobenzene are found in both Parts 1 and 5.

In addition, the sum of individual compounds may not be equal to Part 4 total VOCs for a facility because:

• the NPRI does not request information on all speciated VOCs, just specific ones listed
• if the reporting thresholds are not met, facilities are not required to report their speciated VOCs
• the methods used to estimate total VOCs (Part 4) and individual substances may vary

Depending on the purpose of your analysis, it is best to use only Part 4 (total VOCs) for a general overview or use only Part 1, 2 and 5 (individual substances) for scientific analyses, e.g. to model air quality.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic compounds known or suspected of causing cancer. They are by-products of processes such as residential wood heating and aluminum smelters. Other sources of PAHs include creosote-treated products, petroleum product spills, coal tar refining and metallurgical and coking plants. They are listed in Part 1A and Part 2 of the NPRI substance list. The NPRI tracks over 30 PAHs, which can be reported individually or as total (unspeciated) PAHs. Depending on the purpose of your analysis, you can either add up all the individual PAHs or focus only on the PAHs of interest to your project.

Dioxins and furans are in Part 3 of the NPRI substance list. The NPRI tracks 17 individual dioxin and furan congeners. In cases where facilities do not have information on individual substances, they can report an estimate for the substance group under “total dioxins and furans.”

• the use of total dioxins and furans allows for a general overview
• the use of individual substance data allows for a scientific analysis

Off-site disposals and transfers for treatment prior to disposal can be double counted by combining them with releases since the same quantities may be included in more than one report. For example, substances that were transferred off-site from Facility A may end up as an on-site disposal for receiving Facility B; both facilities include the same quantity in different release, disposal or transfer categories.

The guide for using and interpreting NPRI Data is a resource available on the NPRI website containing all of this information. You can use it to identify potential sources of error and factors to consider before interpreting datasets.

Data limitations

The NPRI is continuously expanding to meet the needs of various data users. Since 1993 the NPRI has modified, added and deleted substances, sectors and activities, and requested the reporting of additional supporting information. While the NPRI aims to have completeness in reporting data, there are several data limitations:

• although the NPRI gathers extensive data on pollution, it does not cover all sources of pollution and all substances in Canada.
• substances tracked by the NPRI all have distinct properties and vary in toxicity, so they cannot be directly compared to one another.
• risks to the environment or human health from substances cannot be determined based solely on NPRI data - other resources, such as the Chemicals Management Plan, the toxic substances list and potential for exposure to the substance must be considered
• reporting requirements have changed over time and can affect data interpretation:
  
  • changes made to reporting thresholds
  • the addition or deletion of substances and/or target activities
  • changes in units of measure.
• calculation and estimation methods vary from one facility to another, and from one substance to another
• substances contained in tailings and waste rock may be reported as negative values because previously discarded materials containing NPRI substances can be removed from these waste disposal areas and reprocessed
• the NPRI does not include data reported by facilities to other programs and under other regulations, such as provincial programs or other international pollutant inventory

Review

Which one of the following statements is true when assessing common data analysis mistakes?

1. To ensure that you have accurate and reliable data and information, you can use both un-reviewed and reviewed data and avoid double and triple counting, among other considerations.
2. To ensure that you have accurate and reliable data and information, it is important to use the last reported annual data and avoid double counting, among other considerations.
3. To ensure that you have accurate and reliable data and information, it is important to use reviewed data and avoid double or triple counting, among other considerations.

Is the following statement true or false?

“The NPRI gathers extensive data on pollution and covers all sources of pollution and substances in Canada.”

1. True. The NPRI is the largest and only database of the Government of Canada which collects data on pollutants and substances.
2. False. While the NPRI does gather extensive data on pollution, it does not cover all sources of pollution and substances in Canada.
3. False. While the NPRI does gather extensive data on pollution, it only covers disposals to land, water, and air.

Question 1

Which of the following data products would be the most appropriate product to determine the specific list of substances released by a facility with the NPRI ID 4562, in the year 2017?

1. data search
2. virtual maps
3. all years dataset

Question 2

A municipal regulator needs to know if a facility, which has submitted an application to build a pulp and paper mill in the municipality, is complying with the distances to surrounding residential areas prescribed in the law.

Which one of the following would be the best data product for the municipal regulator to use to help determine the distance?

1. data search
2. single year tables
3. virtual maps

Question 3

Which of the following NPRI data products would be most appropriate for viewing the trend in total air releases of sulphur dioxide in Alberta over the past five years?

1. data search
2. the five year summaries
3. the all years datasets (which contain all reported releases since 1993)

Question 4

Which of the following information is not available in the NPRI virtual globe maps?

1. quantities of pollutant releases
2. terrestrial ecozone and watersheds
3. the list of substances reported

Question 5

A university student needs to compare the quantity of methanol releases reported by two facilities, one which releases it into the air, and the other which releases it into the water. Should these release quantities be directly compared?

Question 6

An employee at an environmental organization is using the all years datasets to view the quantities of reported releases for a specific substance. Should the employee assume that the substance’s reporting threshold has stayed consistent over the past 7 years?

1. Yes, the NPRI reporting thresholds have remained consistent since it started in 1993
2. No, it is important to consult the history of reporting requirements before interpreting data over time. Reporting thresholds change and this can affect data interpretation.
3. No, it is important to take into consideration a specific period for thresholds, as they are updated every six years, as part of NPRI's mandate to ensure data quality.

Question 7

NPRI data provides sufficient information for a local health agency to create a guide on the environmental impacts of toxic substances, to raise awareness of the links between pollution and human health. True or false?

Question 8

A facility used data on substances released to land, which they retrieved from the data search tool on the NPRI website, for the latest available year. Would this data be accurate and reliable to conduct an analysis?

Question 9

You are conducting a research project on particulate matter (PM) air emissions. Which of the following methods should you use to calculate a facility’s total releases?

1. add together PM_2.5, PM₁₀ and total particular matter (TPM)
2. subtract PM_2.5 from PM₁₀
3. use the highest reported value or use TPM

Question 10

A post-secondary student in environmental studies would like to exclusively use the NPRI data as a resource for a research paper on emissions reported to the air in the province of Manitoba. Would the data from the NPRI be sufficient to write the paper?

1. Yes. The NPRI data is from a national program, which collects enough data to use.
2. No. The NPRI does not include data reported by facilities to other programs and under other regulations, such as provincial programs. It would be good to consult other program resources as well.
3. No. While the NPRI does have sufficient data, it only covers federal emissions and not provincial emissions. It would be good to consult the provincial programs, as a more accurate resource.

You have completed NPRI 201

Great effort in finishing the NPRI 201 course!

Thank you for taking part in the NPRI online course. The NPRI data are an important tool for many Canadians and contribute to better understanding and protecting the environment.

Here are some resources to learn more about the NPRI:

• Guide for reporting to the NPRI
• Summary of reporting requirements
• Quality control process and ensuring data quality
• Access to the National Pollutant Release Inventory
• Partnering and collaborating with the National Pollutant Release Inventory
• Instructional videos: National Pollutant Release Inventory

You are encouraged to conduct your own analyses using NPRI data and to help you get inspired, consult the NPRI tools and resources webpage to view various data products provided and explore the wealth of information available at your fingertips.