WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government is reporting that toxic chemical pollution from the nation's industrial plants and factories declined by 5 percent in 2007.
In a report issued Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency says that industries reported releasing 4.1 billion pounds of toxic pollution into the air, water and onto land in 2007.
Despite an overall decline, the EPA says more mercury, dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyls entered the environment. These chemicals remain in the environment for long periods of time and accumulate in body tissues.
The report, known as the Toxics Release Inventory, is the first by the Obama administration. Earlier this month, President Barack Obama signed a law a restoring reporting requirements that had been cut by the Bush administration.
