PRTR-data collection and management
The chemicals to be covered by the PRTR must be decided at an early stage. For example, a PRTR should be concerned about the likelihood of exposure from releases or transfers that are known to cause or can be expected to cause adverse effects to humans and/or the environment. Many lists of chemicals, species, or classes of pollutants have been compiled; countries operating PRTR systems each have published “their” list. A national government intending to institute a PRTR will probably wish to involve the public and representatives of those installations who will likely report releases in the process leading to the development of a national PRTR list. This process ensures that affected and interested parties each have an opportunity to provide information and reasoning as to why certain species are included or excluded. Moreover if certain chemicals are not generated nationally, they could be excluded a priori. (Hereafter, this list of reportable species will be referred to as “The List”.)