Pollution Analyst
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State · TRI 2024

Georgia Pollution

564 TRI facilities, 1,718 public water systems, and 23 Superfund / NPL sites across 116 counties. Statewide TRI releases rose modestly year over year (+14%). Toxic releases concentrations have fallen 35% since 2010.

FIPS 13 · population 10,711,908 · 159 counties total

Top counties Top facilitiesPathwaysEquity context
PM2.5 ANNUAL MEAN (NAAQS 9 ΜG/M³ (ANNUAL)) · 2010–2024
Bar chart of annual values from 2010 to 2024, in µg/m³. Most recent year (2024): 9 µg/m³.18 µg/m³'10'12'14'16'18'20'22'249 µg/m³
Anomaly engine

Notable Signals At The State Level

LONG-ARC IMPROVEMENT · LONG-ARC SHIFT

TRI water releases

TRI water releases at Georgia have more than halved 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.

STYLE
TRI total releases (lbs/yr)
LOW → HIGH
Statewide pollutant pathways

Georgia Pollutant Multi-Year Trends

CRITERIA AIRSINCE 2010

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.

8.77 µg/m³ · -12% YoY · -51% since 2010

PM2.5 annual mean (NAAQS 9 µg/m³ (annual)) concentrations have more than halved since 2010.

CRITERIA AIRSINCE 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.

22.18 µg/m³ · -7% YoY · -45% since 2010

PM2.5 24-hour 98th percentile (NAAQS 35 µg/m³ (24-hour)) concentrations have fallen 45% since 2010.

CRITERIA AIRSINCE 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.

0.064 ppm · -5% YoY · -32% since 2010

Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max (NAAQS 0.070 ppm (8-hour)) concentrations have fallen 32% since 2010.

CRITERIA AIRSINCE 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.

12.9 ppb · -1% YoY · -8% since 2010

NO₂ annual mean (NAAQS 53 ppb (annual)) concentrations are roughly unchanged from 2010.

HAZARDOUS AIR2020 VINTAGE

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.

35.9 per million · 2020 vintage

Single-vintage exposure modeling — EPA cadence is multi-year, so no trend line yet.

HAZARDOUS AIR2020 VINTAGE

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.

1.96 µg/m³ · 2020 vintage

Single-vintage exposure modeling — EPA cadence is multi-year, so no trend line yet.

HAZARDOUS AIR2020 VINTAGE

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.

0.15 µg/m³ · 2020 vintage

Single-vintage exposure modeling — EPA cadence is multi-year, so no trend line yet.

TRI AIRSINCE 2010

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.

33.8M lb · +13% YoY · -27% since 2010

TRI air releases (5.1 fugitive + 5.2 stack) concentrations have fallen 27% since 2010.

TRI WATERSINCE 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.

5.9M lb · 0% YoY · -59% since 2010

TRI water releases (5.3) concentrations have more than halved since 2010.

TRI LANDSINCE 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.

12.9M lb · +25% YoY · -36% since 2010

TRI land + off-site releases concentrations have fallen 36% since 2010.

GHGSINCE 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.

85M metric tons CO₂e · -3% YoY · -33% since 2010

Greenhouse gases (GHGRP large emitters, through 2023) concentrations have fallen 33% since 2010.

Top counties · TRI 2024

Georgia Counties With Most Chemical Releases

Methodology →

CountyPopulationFacilitiesTotal releasesYoYTop chemical
Richmond CountyFIPS 13245206,153186.4M lb-1%AmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)
Rockdale CountyFIPS 1324793,64185.7M lb+2311%Hydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size)Health riskAerosolized HCl is a corrosive respiratory irritant; chronic exposure damages teeth and respiratory tissue. (NIOSH)
Decatur CountyFIPS 1308729,06334.9M lb-2%AmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)
Wayne CountyFIPS 1330530,27744.0M lb-13%MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)
Lowndes CountyFIPS 13185118,257153.0M lb+10%MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)
Floyd CountyFIPS 1311598,541112.7M lb+5%MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)
Bibb CountyFIPS 13021156,55492.4M lb+27%Manganese compoundsHealth riskExcess inhalation can cause manganism, a Parkinson-like neurological disorder. (ATSDR)
Laurens CountyFIPS 1317549,40772.3M lb+1%Zinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR)
Chatham CountyFIPS 13051296,266222.3M lb-7%AmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)
Early CountyFIPS 1309910,75322.2M lb+21%MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)
Top facilities · TRI 2024

The Largest Individual Emitters In Georgia

Methodology →

FacilityCityTop chemicalTotal releasesYoY
Biolab INCCenterbridge Capital Partners III LPConyersHydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size)Health riskAerosolized HCl is a corrosive respiratory irritant; chronic exposure damages teeth and respiratory tissue. (NIOSH)5.4M lb+422027%
Basf Corp Attapulgus OpsBasf CORPAttapulgusAmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)4.9M lb-2%
Pcs Nitrogen Fertilizer LPNutrien US Topco LLCAugustaAmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)4.6M lb+2%
Rayonier Performance Fibers Jesup MillRayonier Advanced Materials INCJesupMethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)4.0M lb-13%
International Paper Rome Linerboard MillInternational Paper CoRomeMethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)2.4M lb+6%
Graphic Packaging International LLCGraphic Packaging Holding CoMaconManganese compoundsHealth riskExcess inhalation can cause manganism, a Parkinson-like neurological disorder. (ATSDR)2.0M lb+23%
Claxton Poultry FarmsClaxtonPeracetic acidHealth riskStrong respiratory and eye irritant; corrosive at high concentrations. (NIOSH)1.8M lb+1294%
Clearwater Paper - Augusta MillClearwater Paper CORPAugustaMethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)1.7M lb-4%
Packaging Corp Of AmericaPackaging CORP Of AmericaClyattvilleMethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)1.5M lb+5%
Georgia-Pacific Cedar Springs LLCKoch INCCedar SpringsMethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)1.4M lb+8%
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.

Methodology →

Water systemPWSIDPopulation servedHealth-based · 5yrStatus
Columbia County MunicipalGA0730000124,76310UNRESOLVED
Valdosta MunicipalGA185000248,95912UNRESOLVED
East Point MunicipalGA121000333,7124UNRESOLVED
Toccoa MunicipalGA257000128,71118UNRESOLVED
Baldwin County MunicipalGA009000023,06750UNRESOLVED
Kingsland MunicipalGA039000022,44814UNRESOLVED
Thomson-Mcduffie Co W&S Comm MunicipalGA189000121,31243UNRESOLVED
Milledgeville MunicipalGA009000120,5408UNRESOLVED
Lee County Utilities Authority MunicipalGA177006820,1945UNRESOLVED
Union City MunicipalGA121001018,63610UNRESOLVED
Superfund / NPL sites

Federal Cleanup Sites In Georgia

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.

Methodology →

SiteCityStatusFederal facilityPrimary contaminant
Alternate Energy Resources IncAugusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance)NPL FINALNo1,1,1-TrichloroethaneHealth riskMethyl chloroform. CNS depressant; ozone-depleting substance phased out under Montreal Protocol. EPA MCL 200 µg/L. (EPA, ATSDR)
Armstrong World IndustriesMacon-Bibb CountyNPL FINALNoBenzo[A]PyreneHealth riskPAH; IARC Group 1 carcinogen; the prototypical PAH used to benchmark PAH-mixture cancer risk. EPA MCL 0.2 µg/L. (IARC, EPA)
Brunswick Wood PreservingBrunswickNPL FINALNo1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene
Camilla Wood Preserving CompanyCamillaNPL FINALNo1,2-Dihydroacenaphthylene
Diamond Shamrock Corp. LandfillCedartownNPL FINALNo1,2-DichloroethaneHealth riskIARC Group 2B possible carcinogen; liver and kidney toxic. EPA MCL 5 µg/L. (IARC, EPA)
Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. (Albany Plant)AlbanyNPL FINALNo1,1,1-TrichloroethaneHealth riskMethyl chloroform. CNS depressant; ozone-depleting substance phased out under Montreal Protocol. EPA MCL 200 µg/L. (EPA, ATSDR)
Hercules 009 LandfillBrunswickNPL FINALNoAcetoneHealth riskLow chronic toxicity; high acute exposure causes CNS depression and respiratory irritation. (EPA, NIOSH)
Lcp Chemicals GeorgiaDock JunctionNPL FINALNoAroclor 1268
Macon Naval Ordnance PlantMacon-Bibb CountyNPL FINALNo—
Marine Corps Logistics BaseAlbanyNPL FINALFEDERALAroclor 1260Health 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)

Showing the top 10 sites by status priority. 13 additional NPL-relevant sites in Georgia have entity pages — browse them via the host-county or host-city page rollups.

Equity context · ACS 2018-2022 · USEPA-clone EJ disparity

Statewide Population Characteristics

All Georgia block groups: 10,711,908 residents. Statewide disparity score for pm2.5 (fine particulate) sits near the reference (109). 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.

POPULATION SHARE
13.5%

Low-income

POPULATION SHARE
49.2%

People of color

POPULATION SHARE
6.3%

Under age 5

POPULATION SHARE
14.4%

Over age 64

NATIONAL PERCENTILE · vs all US block groups (population-weighted; ranked against the national EJScreen indicator distribution)

Methodology →

  • PM2.5 (fine particulate)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.71above the national median
  • OzoneHealth riskGround-level ozone (smog) inflames the airways. Even short exposures trigger asthma attacks and worsen chronic lung and heart disease.24below the national median
  • 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.29below the national median
  • Diesel particulateHealth riskSoot from diesel engines (trucks, trains, ports, construction). EPA classifies it as a likely human carcinogen and a major driver of childhood asthma near freight corridors.53near 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.69above 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.50near 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.44near 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.56near the national median
  • 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.65above 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.41near 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.66above the national median
  • NPDES wastewater proximityHealth riskDistance to permitted industrial wastewater dischargers. Closer proximity raises exposure to pollutants released into surface waters used for fishing, recreation, and downstream drinking-water intakes.75above 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.78above the national median
EJ disparity scores · population-weighted, all state block groups (100 = national reference; higher = greater disparate burden) · Methodology →
IndicatorDisparity scoreReading
PM2.5 (fine particulate)109near the reference
Ozone32well below the reference
Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)52below the reference
Diesel particulate77below the reference
Toxic releases (RSEI)78below the reference
Traffic proximity64below the reference
Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing)44well below the reference
Superfund site proximity17well below the reference
RMP-facility proximity77below the reference
Hazardous-waste site proximity53below the reference
Underground storage tanks82below the reference
NPDES wastewater proximity63below the reference
Drinking-water non-compliance18well 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 116 Georgia Counties With TRI Data

Pollution trends and TRI 2024 pages for every tracked county. Alphabetical.

Sources.