PERI was established in 1998 by co-directors Robert Pollin and Gerald Epstein, both economists at the university.
The Toxic 100 Air Polluters Index reports that the top 10 2019 companies in terms of total potential chronic human health risk are Boeing, LyondellBasell, Huntsman, Linde, BASF, Dow Inc., Celanese, Assa Abloy, Baker Hughes, and Eastman Chemical.
Northrop Grumman, Dow Inc., LyondellBasell, Celanese, and Canopus International top the Toxic 100 Water Index for 2019.
[3] Toxic 100 air pollution scores are calculated by the formula: Emissions are measured in millions of pounds.
Population exposure is based on the proximity of nearby residents, and factors such as prevailing winds and height of smokestacks.