PM2.5 annual mean
PM2.5 annual mean in Lake County reached 12.2 µg/m³ in 2010, 36% above the EPA NAAQS of 9 µg/m³.
County · TRI 2024
Lake County, Illinois Pollution
10 top TRI facilities tracked here. PM2.5 annual mean (NAAQS 9 µg/m³ (annual)) held roughly steady year over year (—). PM2.5 annual mean (NAAQS 9 µg/m³ (annual)) volumes here are too small to anchor a multi-year trend; YoY movement is still shown above.
FIPS 17097 · population 713,159
Multi-year history not yet ingested.
Anomaly engine
Notable Signals
Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max
Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max in Lake County reached 0.078 ppm in 2024, 11% above the EPA NAAQS of 0.07 ppm.
Total TRI releases
Total TRI releases at Lake County have more than three-quarters since 2010 (through 2024).
Top facilities mapped
Where Chemicals Are Released In Lake County
Each red dot is one of the top TRI facilities. Size reflects 2024 total releases. County boundary outlined in blue.
Pollutant pathways
Lake County 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.
Single-vintage exposure modeling — EPA cadence is multi-year, so no trend line yet.
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.
Single-vintage exposure modeling — EPA cadence is multi-year, so no trend line yet.
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 15% 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.
Single-vintage exposure modeling — EPA cadence is multi-year, so no trend line yet.
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 have more than halved since 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) volumes here are too small to anchor a multi-year trend; YoY movement is still shown above.
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 have more than halved since 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 have more than halved since 2010.
Top facilities · 2024
Where The Chemical Releases Are Concentrated
| Facility | City | Top chemical | Total releases | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vantage SpecialtiesVantage Specialty Chemicals INC | Gurnee | Ethylene glycolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested. Metabolizes to compounds that cause kidney failure. (EPA) | 45k lb | +45% |
| Midwest Printed Circuit Services INC. | Round Lake Beach | Copper And Copper CompoundsHealth riskInhaled copper fumes cause metal-fume fever; chronic ingestion above EPA's 1.3 mg/L action level damages the liver. (EPA) | 35k lb | -8% |
| Akzonobel Aerospace CoatingsAkzo Nobel INC | Waukegan | Chromium compounds (except for chromite ore mined in the Transvaal Region)Health riskHexavalent chromium (Cr-VI) is an IARC Group 1 carcinogen via inhalation, causing lung cancer; trivalent chromium is far less toxic. (IARC, EPA) | 20k lb | -8% |
| Emco Chemical Distributors INCEmco Chemical Distributors INC | North Chicago | MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA) | 13k lb | +50% |
| Jessup Manufacturing COJessup Manufacturing Co | Lake Bluff | TolueneHealth riskCentral-nervous-system depressant. Chronic high exposure causes hearing loss and developmental effects. (EPA, ATSDR) | 11k lb | +10% |
| Pfanstiehl INCPfanstiehl Holdings | Waukegan | MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA) | 9k lb | +69% |
| Abbvie-North Chicago FacilityAbbvie INC | North Chicago | Chloroform | 4k lb | -40% |
| Honeywell Analytics INCHoneywell International INC | Lincolnshire | MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA) | 4k lb | +8% |
| The Gillette CO. Llc/P&G North Chicago PlantThe Gillette Co LLC | North Chicago | Certain glycol ethersHealth riskReproductive toxicants; some cause testicular damage and developmental harm. (EPA) | 3k lb | +215% |
| The Imagine Group LLCThe Imagine Group LLC | Grayslake | Certain glycol ethersHealth riskReproductive toxicants; some cause testicular damage and developmental harm. (EPA) | 3k lb | +42% |
Superfund / NPL sites
Federal Cleanup Sites In Lake County
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H.O.D. Landfill | Antioch | NPL FINAL | No | 1,2-DichloroethaneHealth riskIARC Group 2B possible carcinogen; liver and kidney toxic. EPA MCL 5 µg/L. (IARC, EPA) |
| Johns-Manville Corp. | Waukegan | NPL FINAL | No | ArsenicHealth 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) |
| Outboard Marine Corp. | Waukegan | NPL FINAL | 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) |
| Wauconda Sand & Gravel | Wauconda | NPL FINAL | No | ArsenicHealth 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) |
| Yeoman Creek Landfill | Waukegan | NPL FINAL | No | 1,2-DichloroethaneHealth riskIARC Group 2B possible carcinogen; liver and kidney toxic. EPA MCL 5 µg/L. (IARC, EPA) |
| Petersen Sand & Gravel | Libertyville | DELETED | No | — |
Equity context · ACS 2018-2022 · USEPA-clone EJ disparity
Who Lives In Lake County
All block groups in Lake County County, IL: 713,159 residents. County disparity score for pm2.5 (fine particulate) sits below the reference (59). Why we surface this →
7.8%
Low-income
41.1%
People of color
6.5%
Under age 5
15.0%
Over age 64
- 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.55near the national median
- OzoneHealth riskGround-level ozone (smog) inflames the airways. Even short exposures trigger asthma attacks and worsen chronic lung and heart disease.91in the highest 10% nationally
- 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.60above 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.59near 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.82in the highest 20% nationally
- 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.49near 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.59near 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.84in the highest 20% 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.49near 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.61above 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.83in the highest 20% nationally
- 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.76above 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.77above the national median
| Indicator | Disparity score | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 (fine particulate) | 59 | below the reference |
| Ozone | 95 | near the reference |
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) | 67 | below the reference |
| Diesel particulate | 65 | below the reference |
| Toxic releases (RSEI) | 85 | below the reference |
| Traffic proximity | 52 | below the reference |
| Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing) | 55 | below the reference |
| Superfund site proximity | 71 | below the reference |
| RMP-facility proximity | 44 | well below the reference |
| Hazardous-waste site proximity | 65 | below the reference |
| Underground storage tanks | 76 | below the reference |
| NPDES wastewater proximity | 71 | below the reference |
| Drinking-water non-compliance | 28 | well below the reference |
Source: Census ACS 2018-2022 (5-year) + USEPA-clone EJ blockgroup stats (raw indicators + EJ disparity mirror).
Health context
Co-Located Health Indicators
Modeled adult-prevalence estimates published by CDC PLACES, paired with this county's pollution and demographic context. Comparisons are ecological, not causal — pollution and disease prevalence covary at the area level, but the data does not attribute any individual's diagnosis to local exposure. How this section works →
Adult asthma (current)
9.1%
CDC PLACES · 2025 release · BRFSS 2022-2023
COPD prevalence
5.4%
CDC PLACES · 2025 release · BRFSS 2022-2023
Coronary heart disease
5.4%
CDC PLACES · 2025 release · BRFSS 2022-2023
Diabetes (diagnosed)
11.2%
CDC PLACES · 2025 release · BRFSS 2022-2023
Frequent mental distress
14.1%
CDC PLACES · 2025 release · BRFSS 2022-2023
PLACES uses BRFSS-modeled small-area estimates, not individual records. Crude prevalence shown above is the local rate as published; comparators are age-adjusted vs the Illinois mean and the US mean — both population-weighted across counties — so geographies with different age structures stay apples-to-apples. Sources: CDC PLACES · 2025 release · BRFSS 2022-2023.
Browse
All 35 Lake County Cities With TRI Data
Pollution trends and TRI 2024 pages for every tracked city in this county. Alphabetical.
- Antioch pollution· 1 facility
- Bannockburn pollution· 0 facilities
- Barrington pollution· 0 facilities
- Beach Park pollution· 0 facilities
- Buffalo Grove pollution· 1 facility
- Deerfield pollution· 0 facilities
- Fox Lake pollution· 0 facilities
- Grayslake pollution· 2 facilities
- Green Oaks pollution· 2 facilities
- Gurnee pollution· 2 facilities
- Highland Park pollution· 0 facilities
- Highwood pollution· 0 facilities
- Lake Barrington pollution· 0 facilities
- Lake Bluff pollution· 1 facility
- Lake Forest pollution· 0 facilities
- Lake Villa pollution· 0 facilities
- Lake Zurich pollution· 1 facility
- Libertyville pollution· 1 facility
- Lincolnshire pollution· 1 facility
- Lindenhurst pollution· 0 facilities
- Long Grove pollution· 0 facilities
- Mundelein pollution· 3 facilities
- North Chicago pollution· 4 facilities
- Park City pollution· 0 facilities
- Round Lake pollution· 0 facilities
- Round Lake Beach pollution· 1 facility
- Round Lake Heights pollution· 0 facilities
- Round Lake Park pollution· 0 facilities
- Vernon Hills pollution· 0 facilities
- Volo pollution· 0 facilities
- Wadsworth pollution· 0 facilities
- Wauconda pollution· 0 facilities
- Waukegan pollution· 7 facilities
- Winthrop Harbor pollution· 0 facilities
- Zion pollution· 0 facilities
Sources.
- EPA Toxics Release Inventory · retrieved 2026-05-07.
All sources are federal public-domain datasets under 17 USC §105. We aggregate but do not relabel; the underlying observations remain attributable to EPA.