PM2.5 24-hour 98th percentile
PM2.5 24-hour 98th percentile in Alaska statewide reached 35.1 µg/m³ in 2024, 0% above the EPA NAAQS of 35 µg/m³.
State · TRI 2024
Alaska Pollution
41 TRI facilities, 405 public water systems, and 9 Superfund / NPL sites across 15 counties. Statewide TRI releases fell modestly year over year (-6%). Toxic releases concentrations are roughly unchanged from 2010.
FIPS 02 · population 733,391 · 30 counties total
Anomaly engine
Notable Signals At The State Level
TRI water releases
TRI water releases at Alaska have more than doubled since 2010 (through 2024).
Where the burden sits
County-Level TRI Choropleth
A color-shaded map of pollution data. Darker counties report more pounds of toxic chemicals released to the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).
Shaded by total reported releases for 2024. Counties without a published page render as “no TRI data”. Red dots mark this state's top emitters.
Statewide pollutant pathways
Alaska Pollutant Multi-Year Trends
PM2.5 annual mean (NAAQS 9 µg/m³ (annual))Health riskFine inhalable particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller. They travel deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream — linked to asthma, heart disease, stroke, and premature death.
PM2.5 annual mean (NAAQS 9 µg/m³ (annual)) concentrations are up 22% since 2010.
PM2.5 24-hour 98th percentile (NAAQS 35 µg/m³ (24-hour))Health riskFine inhalable particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller. They travel deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream — linked to asthma, heart disease, stroke, and premature death.
PM2.5 24-hour 98th percentile (NAAQS 35 µg/m³ (24-hour)) concentrations are up 71% since 2010.
Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max (NAAQS 0.070 ppm (8-hour))Health riskGround-level ozone (smog) forms when vehicle and industrial emissions react in sunlight. Inflames the airways, triggers asthma attacks, and worsens heart and lung disease.
Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max (NAAQS 0.070 ppm (8-hour)) concentrations are up 21% since 2010.
NO₂ annual mean (NAAQS 53 ppb (annual))Health riskA tailpipe and combustion gas. Concentrates near busy roads and industrial sites; raises risk of airway inflammation, asthma, and lower respiratory infections in children.
NO₂ annual mean (NAAQS 53 ppb (annual)) concentrations have fallen 23% since 2014.
Lifetime cancer risk all pollutants (100 in a million (EPA elevated threshold))Health riskEPA-modeled added cancer cases per million residents from a lifetime of breathing local air toxics. EPA flags 100-in-a-million as elevated.
Single-vintage exposure modeling — EPA cadence is multi-year, so no trend line yet.
Formaldehyde ambient mean (0.077 µg/m³ (1-in-a-million URE))Health riskAn air toxic emitted by refineries, wood products, and combustion. EPA classifies it as a known human carcinogen — long-term inhalation raises cancer risk.
Single-vintage exposure modeling — EPA cadence is multi-year, so no trend line yet.
Benzene ambient mean (0.13 µg/m³ (1-in-a-million URE))Health riskAn air toxic from gasoline, refineries, and tobacco smoke. A known human carcinogen — chronic exposure is linked to leukemia and other blood cancers.
Single-vintage exposure modeling — EPA cadence is multi-year, so no trend line yet.
TRI air releases (5.1 fugitive + 5.2 stack)Health riskToxic chemicals reported by industrial facilities as released into the air — fugitive leaks plus smokestack emissions. Higher pounds means more inhaled exposure for nearby residents.
TRI air releases (5.1 fugitive + 5.2 stack) concentrations are roughly unchanged from 2010.
TRI water releases (5.3)Health riskToxic chemicals reported by industrial facilities as discharged to surface waters (rivers, lakes, the ocean). Affects fishing, recreation, and downstream drinking-water intakes.
TRI water releases (5.3) concentrations have more than doubled since 2010.
TRI land + off-site releasesHealth riskToxic chemicals released to land on-site or transferred off-site for disposal — landfills, deep-well injection, and similar. Risks groundwater contamination over time.
TRI land + off-site releases concentrations are roughly unchanged from 2010.
Greenhouse gases (GHGRP large emitters, through 2023)Health riskGreenhouse gases reported by large industrial emitters under EPA's GHGRP, in metric tons of CO₂ equivalent. Drives climate warming and the heat-related health effects that follow.
Greenhouse gases (GHGRP large emitters, through 2023) concentrations are up 67% since 2010.
| County | Population | Facilities | Total releases | YoY | Top chemical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Arctic BoroughFIPS 02188 | 7,682 | 2 | 723.9M lb | -6% | Zinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR) |
| Juneau City and BoroughFIPS 02110 | 32,108 | 3 | 90.1M lb | -10% | Barium compounds (except for barium sulfate (CAS No. 7727-43-7))Health riskSoluble barium compounds are toxic if ingested, affecting the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Insoluble forms (e.g. barium sulfate) are far less toxic. (EPA) |
| Fairbanks North Star BoroughFIPS 02090 | 96,299 | 10 | 18.4M lb | -1% | Manganese And Manganese CompoundsHealth riskExcess inhalation can cause manganism, a Parkinson-like neurological disorder. (ATSDR) |
| Southeast Fairbanks Census AreaFIPS 02240 | 6,888 | 3 | 8.4M lb | +1% | Arsenic compoundsHealth riskIARC Group 1 carcinogen via inhalation and ingestion. EPA MCL 10 µg/L; chronic exposure causes skin, lung, bladder cancer and cardiovascular disease. (IARC, EPA, ATSDR) |
| Denali BoroughFIPS 02068 | 2,101 | 2 | 621k lb | +14% | Barium compounds (except for barium sulfate (CAS No. 7727-43-7))Health riskSoluble barium compounds are toxic if ingested, affecting the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Insoluble forms (e.g. barium sulfate) are far less toxic. (EPA) |
| Aleutians East BoroughFIPS 02013 | 3,407 | 2 | 186k lb | -1% | NaphthaleneHealth riskIARC Group 2B possible carcinogen; causes hemolytic anemia, especially in infants. (IARC) |
| Kenai Peninsula BoroughFIPS 02122 | 59,235 | 3 | 47k lb | +3% | n-HexaneHealth riskPeripheral neurotoxin. Chronic exposure causes numbness and paralysis in the extremities. (ATSDR) |
| Anchorage MunicipalityFIPS 02020 | 290,674 | 5 | 39k lb | -16% | CopperHealth riskInhaled copper fumes cause metal-fume fever; chronic ingestion above EPA's 1.3 mg/L action level damages the liver. (EPA) |
| Valdez-Cordova Census AreaFIPS | — | 3 | 12k lb | +9% | Xylene (mixed isomers)Health riskEye, skin, and respiratory irritant; central-nervous-system effects from chronic exposure. (EPA) |
| Aleutians West Census AreaFIPS 02016 | 5,219 | 2 | 4k lb | +73% | AmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA) |
| Facility | City | Top chemical | Total releases | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Dog OperationsTeck American INC | Kotzebue | Zinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR) | 723.9M lb | -6% |
| Hecla Greens Creek Mining COHecla Mining Co | Juneau | Barium compounds (except for barium sulfate (CAS No. 7727-43-7))Health riskSoluble barium compounds are toxic if ingested, affecting the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Insoluble forms (e.g. barium sulfate) are far less toxic. (EPA) | 87.6M lb | -11% |
| Fort Knox MineKinross Gold CORP (Usa) INC | Fairbanks | Manganese And Manganese CompoundsHealth riskExcess inhalation can cause manganism, a Parkinson-like neurological disorder. (ATSDR) | 17.6M lb | -2% |
| Pogo MineNorthern Star LLC | Delta Junction | Arsenic compoundsHealth riskIARC Group 1 carcinogen via inhalation and ingestion. EPA MCL 10 µg/L; chronic exposure causes skin, lung, bladder cancer and cardiovascular disease. (IARC, EPA, ATSDR) | 8.4M lb | +1% |
| Coeur Alaska INC Kensington Gold ProjectCoeur Mining INC | Juneau | Manganese compoundsHealth riskExcess inhalation can cause manganism, a Parkinson-like neurological disorder. (ATSDR) | 2.5M lb | +8% |
| Golden Valley Electric Assoc Healy Power PlantGolden Valley Electric Assoc | Healy | Barium compounds (except for barium sulfate (CAS No. 7727-43-7))Health riskSoluble barium compounds are toxic if ingested, affecting the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Insoluble forms (e.g. barium sulfate) are far less toxic. (EPA) | 453k lb | +22% |
| Fort Wainwright Main CantonmentUS Department Of Defense | Fort Wainwright | Barium compounds (except for barium sulfate (CAS No. 7727-43-7))Health riskSoluble barium compounds are toxic if ingested, affecting the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Insoluble forms (e.g. barium sulfate) are far less toxic. (EPA) | 385k lb | +19% |
| US Dod Usaf Eielson Afb AkUS Department Of Defense | Eielson Afb | Barium And Barium CompoundsHealth riskSoluble barium compounds are toxic if ingested, affecting the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Insoluble forms (e.g. barium sulfate) are far less toxic. (EPA) | 342k lb | +89% |
| Trident Seafoods Corp Akutan Shore PlantTrident Seafoods CORP | Akutan | NaphthaleneHealth riskIARC Group 2B possible carcinogen; causes hemolytic anemia, especially in infants. (IARC) | 169k lb | -1% |
| Usibelli Coal Mine INC. | Healy | Barium compounds (except for barium sulfate (CAS No. 7727-43-7))Health riskSoluble barium compounds are toxic if ingested, affecting the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Insoluble forms (e.g. barium sulfate) are far less toxic. (EPA) | 167k lb | -4% |
Water utilities to watch
Largest Water Systems With Unresolved Health-Based Violations
Sorted to surface utilities serving the most people that still have an active health-based SDWIS violation on the record. Systems in compliance with no unresolved issues fall to the bottom of the ranking.
| Water system | PWSID | Population served | Health-based · 5yr | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eielson - Air Force Base Federal | AK2370625 | 11,870 | 2 | UNRESOLVED |
| Barrow Utilities & Elec. Coop., Inc. (Bu Tribal | AK2320078 | 4,900 | 2 | UNRESOLVED |
| Seward Municipal | AK2240757 | 3,324 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
| Kotzebue Mun. Water System Tribal | AK2340060 | 3,234 | 112 | UNRESOLVED |
| Uscg Station Kodiak Federal | AK2250126 | 3,092 | 5 | UNRESOLVED |
| Dillingham Water System Tribal | AK2260197 | 2,419 | 3 | UNRESOLVED |
| Haines Borough Tribal | AK2111566 | 2,376 | 11 | UNRESOLVED |
| Bethel Heights Water System Tribal | AK2270346 | 2,228 | 5 | UNRESOLVED |
| Bethel-City S/D Water Tribal | AK2271999 | 1,660 | 21 | UNRESOLVED |
| Valley Water Company Private | AK2310926 | 1,575 | 4 | UNRESOLVED |
Superfund / NPL sites
Federal Cleanup Sites In Alaska
Sites on EPA's Superfund National Priorities List, plus deleted sites whose cleanup objectives EPA has finalized. Federal-facility sites (defense, DOE, etc.) are flagged separately. Each link routes to a per-site page.
| Site | City | Status | Federal facility | Primary contaminant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adak Naval Air Station | Adak | NPL FINAL | FEDERAL | 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene |
| Eielson Air Force Base | Eielson AFB | NPL FINAL | FEDERAL | BenzeneHealth riskIARC Group 1 carcinogen. Long-term inhalation causes leukemia and bone-marrow disorders. (IARC, EPA) |
| Elmendorf Air Force Base | Anchorage | NPL FINAL | FEDERAL | BenzeneHealth riskIARC Group 1 carcinogen. Long-term inhalation causes leukemia and bone-marrow disorders. (IARC, EPA) |
| Fort Richardson (Usarmy) | Anchorage | NPL FINAL | FEDERAL | 1,1,2-Trichloroethane |
| Fort Wainwright | Fairbanks | NPL FINAL | FEDERAL | BenzeneHealth riskIARC Group 1 carcinogen. Long-term inhalation causes leukemia and bone-marrow disorders. (IARC, EPA) |
| Salt Chuck Mine | Thorne Bay | NPL FINAL | No | — |
| Alaska Battery Enterprises | Fairbanks | DELETED | No | — |
| Arctic Surplus | Badger | DELETED | No | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (Pcbs)Health riskPCBs. IARC Group 1 carcinogen; immune, reproductive, and neurological effects; bioaccumulate in fish and breast milk. Banned in 1979; persist as legacy contamination. (IARC, EPA) |
| Standard Steel & Metals Salvage Yard (Usdot) | Anchorage | DELETED | FEDERAL | 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-P-Dioxin (Tcdd) |
Equity context · ACS 2018-2022 · USEPA-clone EJ disparity
Statewide Population Characteristics
All Alaska block groups: 733,391 residents. Statewide disparity score for nitrogen dioxide (no₂) sits well below the reference (39). Why we surface this →
State-level percentiles are aggregated from block-group EJScreen data. The EJ pattern within the state will be sharper at the county level — drill down for the meaningful spatial detail.
10.5%
Low-income
41.6%
People of color
7.1%
Under age 5
12.8%
Over age 64
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)Health riskA tailpipe and combustion gas. Concentrates near busy roads and industrial sites; raises risk of airway inflammation, asthma, and lower respiratory infections in children.26below the national median
- Toxic releases (RSEI)Health riskEPA's Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators score — weights TRI chemical releases by toxicity, where they go, and how many people are nearby. Higher means greater modeled cancer and chronic-health risk.20below the national median
- Traffic proximityHealth riskPopulation-weighted distance to high-volume roads. Living close to heavy traffic raises exposure to PM2.5, NO₂, and diesel exhaust — and the cardiovascular and asthma risks that follow.40near the national median
- Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing)Health riskShare of housing built before 1960, when lead-based paint was common. Dust from deteriorating paint is the leading cause of childhood lead poisoning, which permanently impairs cognitive development.36below the national median
- Superfund site proximityHealth riskPopulation-weighted distance to NPL Superfund sites — the most contaminated waste sites in the country. Nearby groundwater, soil, and air can carry industrial solvents, metals, and other long-lived contaminants.90in the highest 10% nationally
- RMP-facility proximityHealth riskDistance to facilities holding chemicals at quantities large enough to require an EPA Risk Management Plan (refineries, fertilizer plants, etc.). These pose acute exposure risk during accidental releases.51near the national median
- Hazardous-waste site proximityHealth riskDistance to RCRA hazardous-waste handlers (treatment, storage, disposal facilities). Indicates potential exposure to industrial chemicals in air, soil, and groundwater.21below the national median
- Underground storage tanksHealth riskDensity of underground tanks (gasoline, heating oil, industrial fluids). Leaking tanks are a leading source of benzene and other volatile organic compounds in groundwater drinking-water supplies.67above the national median
- Drinking-water non-complianceHealth riskEPA score for public water systems with health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violations. Higher means more residents on systems that recently exceeded safe limits for contaminants like lead, arsenic, or nitrate.91in the highest 10% nationally
| Indicator | Disparity score | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) | 39 | well below the reference |
| Toxic releases (RSEI) | 16 | well below the reference |
| Traffic proximity | 38 | well below the reference |
| Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing) | 29 | well below the reference |
| Superfund site proximity | 50 | below the reference |
| RMP-facility proximity | 40 | well below the reference |
| Hazardous-waste site proximity | 18 | well below the reference |
| Underground storage tanks | 49 | well below the reference |
| Drinking-water non-compliance | 80 | below the reference |
Source: Census ACS 2018-2022 (5-year) + USEPA-clone EJ blockgroup stats (raw indicators + EJ disparity mirror). EJ disparity scores via the USEPA-clone GitHub mirror after EPA deprecated the public EJScreen tool in 2025; demographics from Census ACS.
Browse
All 15 Alaska Counties With TRI Data
Pollution trends and TRI 2024 pages for every tracked county. Alphabetical.
- Aleutians East Borough pollution· 2 facilities
- Aleutians West Census Area pollution· 2 facilities
- Anchorage Municipality pollution· 5 facilities
- Bethel Census Area pollution· 1 facility
- Denali Borough pollution· 2 facilities
- Fairbanks North Star Borough pollution· 10 facilities
- Juneau City and Borough pollution· 3 facilities
- Kenai Peninsula Borough pollution· 3 facilities
- Ketchikan Gateway Borough pollution· 1 facility
- Kodiak Island Borough pollution· 1 facility
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough pollution· 1 facility
- North Slope Borough pollution· 2 facilities
- Northwest Arctic Borough pollution· 2 facilities
- Southeast Fairbanks Census Area pollution· 3 facilities
- Valdez-Cordova Census Area pollution· 3 facilities
Sources.
- EPA Toxics Release Inventory · retrieved 2026-05-07.