Pollution Analyst
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State · TRI 2024

Louisiana Pollution

359 TRI facilities, 819 public water systems, and 29 Superfund / NPL sites across 56 counties. Statewide TRI releases held roughly steady year over year (+4%). Toxic releases concentrations have fallen 11% since 2010.

FIPS 22 · population 4,657,757 · 64 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): 8 µg/m³.13 µg/m³'10'12'14'16'18'20'22'248 µg/m³
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

Louisiana 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.

8.45 µg/m³ · -4% YoY · -37% since 2010

PM2.5 annual mean (NAAQS 9 µg/m³ (annual)) concentrations have fallen 37% 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.

18.76 µg/m³ · -3% YoY · -40% since 2010

PM2.5 24-hour 98th percentile (NAAQS 35 µg/m³ (24-hour)) concentrations have fallen 40% 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.

0.067 ppm · -3% YoY · -25% since 2010

Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max (NAAQS 0.070 ppm (8-hour)) concentrations have fallen 25% 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.

5.1 ppb · +2% YoY · -50% since 2010

NO₂ annual mean (NAAQS 53 ppb (annual)) concentrations have more than halved since 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.

34.9 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.

1.81 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.

0.14 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.

53.2M lb · +12% YoY · +11% since 2010

TRI air releases (5.1 fugitive + 5.2 stack) concentrations are up 11% 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.

11.2M lb · -5% YoY · +1% since 2010

TRI water releases (5.3) concentrations are roughly unchanged from 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.

62.9M lb · -0% YoY · -25% since 2010

TRI land + off-site releases concentrations have fallen 25% 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.

589M metric tons CO₂e · -1% YoY · +1% since 2010

Greenhouse gases (GHGRP large emitters, through 2023) concentrations are roughly unchanged from 2010.

Top counties · TRI 2024

Louisiana Counties With Most Chemical Releases

Methodology →

CountyPopulationFacilitiesTotal releasesYoYTop chemical
St. Charles ParishFIPS 2208952,1912226.5M lb+52%FormaldehydeHealth riskIARC Group 1 carcinogen. Linked to nasopharyngeal cancer; irritates the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract at low concentrations. (IARC, EPA)
Ascension ParishFIPS 22005126,9732323.4M lb+9%AmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)
Calcasieu ParishFIPS 22019210,7703117.0M lb-2%Manganese compoundsHealth riskExcess inhalation can cause manganism, a Parkinson-like neurological disorder. (ATSDR)
Jefferson ParishFIPS 22051436,1711112.6M lb-11%AcetonitrileHealth riskMetabolizes to cyanide in the body; high exposure causes nausea, weakness, and respiratory effects. (ATSDR)
Iberville ParishFIPS 2204730,2102211.2M lb-3%AmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)
Ouachita ParishFIPS 22073159,58568.3M lb+10%Nitric acidHealth riskStrong corrosive irritant to skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract. (NIOSH)
East Baton Rouge ParishFIPS 22033454,369234.5M lb+3%n-HexaneHealth riskPeripheral neurotoxin. Chronic exposure causes numbness and paralysis in the extremities. (ATSDR)
De Soto ParishFIPS 2203126,82124.3M lb-2%MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)
Washington ParishFIPS 2211745,51432.4M lb+9%MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)
St. John the Baptist ParishFIPS 2209541,986112.1M lb-4%Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)Health riskDrinking-water nitrate causes methemoglobinemia ('blue-baby syndrome') in infants; EPA MCL is 10 mg/L as N. (EPA)
Top facilities · TRI 2024

The Largest Individual Emitters In Louisiana

Methodology →

FacilityCityTop chemicalTotal releasesYoY
Bayer Cropscience LPBayer US Holding LPLulingFormaldehydeHealth riskIARC Group 1 carcinogen. Linked to nasopharyngeal cancer; irritates the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract at low concentrations. (IARC, EPA)17.8M lb+24%
Cornerstone Chemical CO LLCCcc Parent LLCWestwegoAcetonitrileHealth riskMetabolizes to cyanide in the body; high exposure causes nausea, weakness, and respiratory effects. (ATSDR)12.2M lb-11%
Cf Industries Nitrogen LLCCf Industries Holdings INCDonaldsonvilleAmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)9.2M lb-7%
Rubicon LLCHuntsman CORPGeismarAniline7.1M lb+27%
Advancion CorpSterlingtonNitric acidHealth riskStrong corrosive irritant to skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract. (NIOSH)5.7M lb+13%
Shell Norco Chemical PlantShell Petroleum INCNorcoPropyleneHealth riskSimple asphyxiant; low direct toxicity at typical exposure levels. (NIOSH)5.7M lb+742%
Louisiana Pigment CO LPKronos Louisiana INCWestlakeManganese compoundsHealth riskExcess inhalation can cause manganism, a Parkinson-like neurological disorder. (ATSDR)5.2M lb+12%
International Paper CO - Mansfield MillInternational Paper CoMansfieldMethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)4.1M lb-6%
Flopam INCSnf Holding CoPlaquemineAmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)4.1M lb-7%
Chemical Waste Management - La Ke Charles FacilityWaste Management INCSulphurAluminum oxide (fibrous forms)Health riskFibrous forms can damage the lungs similar to other particulate dusts. (NIOSH)3.9M lb-24%
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
New Orleans Carrollton Water Works MunicipalLA1071009334,9032UNRESOLVED
Shreveport Water System MunicipalLA1017031192,37876UNRESOLVED
W Jefferson Ww District 2 MunicipalLA1051004140,2645UNRESOLVED
New Orleans Algiers Water Works MunicipalLA107100152,78510UNRESOLVED
Slidell Water Supply MunicipalLA110304135,5474UNRESOLVED
Vermilion Waterworks District 1 MunicipalLA111303424,13231UNRESOLVED
City Of Opelousas Water System MunicipalLA109701020,38813UNRESOLVED
Bastrop Water System PrivateLA106700318,1051UNRESOLVED
Blanchard Water System MunicipalLA101700616,3269UNRESOLVED
Covington Water Supply MunicipalLA110301116,1851UNRESOLVED
Superfund / NPL sites

Federal Cleanup Sites In Louisiana

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
Agriculture Street LandfillNew OrleansNPL FINALNo—
American Creosote DeridderDeridderNPL FINALNo—
American Creosote Works, Inc. (Winnfield Plant)WinnfieldNPL FINALNo1,2-Dihydroacenaphthylene
Bayou BonfoucaSlidellNPL FINALNoPolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Pahs)Health riskPAH class includes IARC Group 1 carcinogens (e.g., benzo[a]pyrene); long-term exposure raises cancer risk. (IARC, EPA)
Capitol LakesBaton RougeNPL FINALNo—
Colonial CreosoteBogalusaNPL FINALNo—
Combustion, Inc.Denham SpringsNPL FINALNo1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Delta ShipyardHoumaNPL FINALNo—
Evr-Wood Treating/Evangeline Refining CompanyEvangelineNPL FINALNo1,1'-Biphenyl
Exide Baton RougeBaton RougeNPL FINALNo—

Showing the top 10 sites by status priority. 19 additional NPL-relevant sites in Louisiana 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 Louisiana block groups: 4,657,757 residents. Statewide disparity score for pm2.5 (fine particulate) sits below the reference (86). 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
18.7%

Low-income

POPULATION SHARE
42.5%

People of color

POPULATION SHARE
6.3%

Under age 5

POPULATION SHARE
16.0%

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.54near the national median
  • OzoneHealth riskGround-level ozone (smog) inflames the airways. Even short exposures trigger asthma attacks and worsen chronic lung and heart disease.37below 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.34below 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.43near 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.96in the highest 5% 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.33below 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.53near 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.57near 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.75above 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.60near 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.65above 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.100in the highest 5% nationally
  • 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
EJ disparity scores · population-weighted, all state block groups (100 = national reference; higher = greater disparate burden) · Methodology →
IndicatorDisparity scoreReading
PM2.5 (fine particulate)86below the reference
Ozone23well below the reference
Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)60below the reference
Diesel particulate66below the reference
Toxic releases (RSEI)104near the reference
Traffic proximity46well below the reference
Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing)62below the reference
Superfund site proximity40well below the reference
RMP-facility proximity85below the reference
Hazardous-waste site proximity76below the reference
Underground storage tanks82below the reference
NPDES wastewater proximity86below the reference
Drinking-water non-compliance63below 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 56 Louisiana Counties With TRI Data

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

Sources.