TRI water releases
TRI water releases at Maryland have more than three-quarters since 2010 (through 2024).
State · TRI 2024
Maryland Pollution
119 TRI facilities, 467 public water systems, and 27 Superfund / NPL sites across 18 counties. Statewide TRI releases fell meaningfully year over year (-27%). Toxic releases concentrations have more than halved since 2010.
FIPS 24 · population 6,177,224 · 24 counties total
Anomaly engine
Notable Signals At The State Level
TRI air releases
TRI air releases at Maryland have more than three-quarters since 2010 (through 2024).
Total TRI releases
Total TRI releases at Maryland have more than three-quarters since 2010 (through 2024).
TRI land + off-site releases
TRI land + off-site releases at Maryland 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.
Statewide pollutant pathways
Maryland 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 have more than halved 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 have more than halved 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 have fallen 26% 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 48% since 2010.
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) concentrations have more than halved 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 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.
| County | Population | Facilities | Total releases | YoY | Top chemical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorchester CountyFIPS 24019 | 32,557 | 2 | 1.6M lb | +42% | MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA) |
| Wicomico CountyFIPS 24045 | 103,815 | 6 | 296k lb | -12% | n-HexaneHealth riskPeripheral neurotoxin. Chronic exposure causes numbness and paralysis in the extremities. (ATSDR) |
| Washington CountyFIPS 24043 | 154,645 | 10 | 235k lb | +10% | StyreneHealth riskIARC Group 2A probable carcinogen; central-nervous-system effects from inhalation. (IARC, EPA) |
| Charles CountyFIPS 24017 | 167,035 | 1 | 205k lb | +605% | 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) |
| Baltimore (City)FIPS | — | 21 | 163k 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) |
| Anne Arundel CountyFIPS 24003 | 588,109 | 15 | 137k lb | -92% | 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) |
| Allegany CountyFIPS 24001 | 68,161 | 1 | 101k lb | -53% | 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) |
| Cecil CountyFIPS 24015 | 103,876 | 5 | 73k lb | +70% | MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA) |
| Harford CountyFIPS 24025 | 261,059 | 12 | 69k lb | +7% | 2-Ethoxyethanol |
| Howard CountyFIPS 24027 | 332,011 | 7 | 15k lb | -22% | 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) |
| Facility | City | Top chemical | Total releases | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darling Ingredients Inc.- Linkwood FacilityDarling Ingredients INC | Linkwood | MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA) | 1.6M lb | +42% |
| Perdue Agribusiness LLC - Salisbury MdPerdue Farms INC | Salisbury | n-HexaneHealth riskPeripheral neurotoxin. Chronic exposure causes numbness and paralysis in the extremities. (ATSDR) | 268k lb | -9% |
| U.S. Navy Naval Support Facility Indian HeadUS Department Of Defense | Indian Head | 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) | 205k lb | +605% |
| Xerxes CorpMattr CORP USA | Williamsport | StyreneHealth riskIARC Group 2A probable carcinogen; central-nervous-system effects from inhalation. (IARC, EPA) | 114k lb | +4% |
| Aes Warrior Run INCAes CORP | Cumberland | 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) | 101k lb | -53% |
| Grace Davison-Curtis Bay WorksW R Grace & Co | Baltimore | 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) | 100k lb | -17% |
| Brandon Shores & Wagner ComplexTalen Energy CORP | Curtis Bay | 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) | 97k lb | +77% |
| Terumo Medical CorpTerumo Americas Holding INC | Elkton | MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA) | 72k lb | +72% |
| Rust-Oleum Corp In MdRpm International INC | Williamsport | Xylene (mixed isomers)Health riskEye, skin, and respiratory irritant; central-nervous-system effects from chronic exposure. (EPA) | 53k lb | +9% |
| Engineered Polymer Solutions INC.The Sherwin-Williams Co | Williamsport | Methyl methacrylateHealth riskSkin and respiratory sensitizer; can trigger occupational asthma and dermatitis. (OSHA) | 34k lb | +12% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Of Baltimore Municipal | MD0300002 | 1,600,000 | 2 | UNRESOLVED |
| Glen Burnie-Broadneck Municipal | MD0020017 | 290,606 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
| Town Of Ocean City Municipal | MD0230003 | 30,000 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
| Town Of Elkton Municipal | MD0070011 | 15,625 | 2 | UNRESOLVED |
| City Of Havre De Grace Municipal | MD0120012 | 14,000 | 5 | UNRESOLVED |
| Town Of North East Municipal | MD0070016 | 8,600 | 22 | UNRESOLVED |
| Fort Detrick Federal | MD0100011 | 7,900 | 4 | UNRESOLVED |
| Midland-Lonaconing Municipal | MD0010018 | 5,000 | 5 | UNRESOLVED |
| Town Of Perryville Municipal | MD0070018 | 4,413 | 8 | UNRESOLVED |
| City Of Pocomoke City Municipal | MD0230006 | 4,100 | 4 | UNRESOLVED |
Superfund / NPL sites
Federal Cleanup Sites In Maryland
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen Proving Ground (Edgewood Area) | Edgewood | NPL FINAL | FEDERAL | 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) |
| Aberdeen Proving Ground (Michaelsville Landfill) | Aberdeen Proving Ground | NPL FINAL | FEDERAL | CopperHealth riskInhaled copper fumes cause metal-fume fever; chronic ingestion above EPA's 1.3 mg/L action level damages the liver. (EPA) |
| Andrews Air Force Base | Andrews AFB | NPL FINAL | FEDERAL | Chloroethene (Vinyl Chloride)Health riskIARC Group 1 carcinogen — angiosarcoma of the liver. Final TCE/PCE biodegradation product; commonly found in groundwater plumes. EPA MCL 2 µg/L. (IARC, EPA) |
| Bear Creek Sediments | Edgemere | NPL FINAL | No | — |
| Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (Usda) | Beltsville | NPL FINAL | FEDERAL | 1,1-DichloroetheneHealth riskVinylidene chloride; IARC Group 3 (inadequate evidence in humans) but liver toxic in animal studies; common TCE/PCE biodegradation product. (IARC, EPA) |
| Brandywine Drmo | Brandywine | NPL FINAL | FEDERAL | 2-Methylnaphthalene |
| Bush Valley Landfill | Abingdon | NPL FINAL | No | AluminumHealth riskInhaled aluminum fumes can cause lung scarring (aluminosis); high cumulative exposure has been linked to neurological effects. (NIOSH) |
| Central Chemical (Hagerstown) | Hagerstown | 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) |
| Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard | Pasadena | NPL FINAL | FEDERAL | LeadHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR) |
| Dwyer Property Ground Water Plume | Elkton | NPL FINAL | No | — |
Showing the top 10 sites by status priority. 17 additional NPL-relevant sites in Maryland 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 Maryland block groups: 6,177,224 residents. Statewide disparity score for pm2.5 (fine particulate) sits well below the reference (21). 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.
9.3%
Low-income
51.5%
People of color
6.1%
Under age 5
16.0%
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.14below the national median
- OzoneHealth riskGround-level ozone (smog) inflames the airways. Even short exposures trigger asthma attacks and worsen chronic lung and heart disease.49near 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.44near 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.66above 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.44near 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.63above 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.62above 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.75above 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.60above 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.75above 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.63above 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.98in 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.76above the national median
| Indicator | Disparity score | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 (fine particulate) | 21 | well below the reference |
| Ozone | 78 | below the reference |
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) | 64 | below the reference |
| Diesel particulate | 86 | below the reference |
| Toxic releases (RSEI) | 47 | well below the reference |
| Traffic proximity | 79 | below the reference |
| Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing) | 63 | below the reference |
| Superfund site proximity | 61 | below the reference |
| RMP-facility proximity | 55 | below the reference |
| Hazardous-waste site proximity | 85 | below the reference |
| Underground storage tanks | 66 | below the reference |
| NPDES wastewater proximity | 74 | below the reference |
| Drinking-water non-compliance | 1 | well 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 18 Maryland Counties With TRI Data
Pollution trends and TRI 2024 pages for every tracked county. Alphabetical.
- Allegany County pollution· 1 facility
- Anne Arundel County pollution· 15 facilities
- Baltimore (City) pollution· 21 facilities
- Baltimore city pollution· 16 facilities
- Caroline County pollution· 2 facilities
- Carroll County pollution· 4 facilities
- Cecil County pollution· 5 facilities
- Charles County pollution· 1 facility
- Dorchester County pollution· 2 facilities
- Frederick County pollution· 2 facilities
- Harford County pollution· 12 facilities
- Howard County pollution· 7 facilities
- Kent County pollution· 1 facility
- Montgomery County pollution· 4 facilities
- Prince George's County pollution· 9 facilities
- St. Mary's County pollution· 1 facility
- Washington County pollution· 10 facilities
- Wicomico County pollution· 6 facilities
Sources.
- EPA Toxics Release Inventory · retrieved 2026-05-07.