Where and Why are Toxics Used in Communities?
As in all other states, toxics in Massachusetts are used by companies,
communities and individuals. Companies use toxics either as part of
their manufacturing process or in activity related to their business.
Communities and individuals use toxics either directly or indirectly as
part of products that are bought and used. Companies, communities and
individuals all generate toxic byproducts as a result of their use of
toxic materials.
Companies are usually referred to as 'point' sources of toxics use and the
generation of toxic byproducts. A point source is one that is readily
identified as a single location. Harder to identify but often just as
significant are the 'nonpoint' sources. Although the term 'nonpoint'
suggests that the source is evenly distributed across an area, in fact,
nonpoint sources are many, many small point sources -- individual
people, houses, buildings, and communities, each using and generating
small amounts of toxics. Individually, each of these 'sources' may not
have a large effect but collectively the nonpoint sources can be as or
more significant than the point sources in the use and release of
toxics.
This web site is specifically about the toxics that are
used and the toxic byproducts that are produced in companies as the
result of providing goods and services. If you would like to know more
about how toxics are used in communities, TURI has a Community section of this web site.
This page updated Tuesday May 15 2007