Pollution Analyst
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State · TRI 2024

Missouri Pollution

397 TRI facilities, 1,679 public water systems, and 39 Superfund / NPL sites across 76 counties. Statewide TRI releases held roughly steady year over year (+3%). Toxic releases concentrations have fallen 29% since 2010.

FIPS 29 · population 6,154,913 · 114 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): 7 µg/m³.14 µg/m³'10'12'14'16'18'20'22'247 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

Missouri 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.

6.91 µg/m³ · -16% YoY · -49% since 2010

PM2.5 annual mean (NAAQS 9 µg/m³ (annual)) concentrations have fallen 49% 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.

15.72 µg/m³ · -20% YoY · -48% since 2010

PM2.5 24-hour 98th percentile (NAAQS 35 µg/m³ (24-hour)) concentrations have fallen 48% 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 · -12% YoY · -22% since 2010

Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max (NAAQS 0.070 ppm (8-hour)) concentrations have fallen 22% 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.

8.8 ppb · +4% YoY · -32% since 2010

NO₂ annual mean (NAAQS 53 ppb (annual)) concentrations have fallen 32% 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.

33.6 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.

1.62 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.

0.16 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.

8.9M lb · -6% YoY · -24% since 2010

TRI air releases (5.1 fugitive + 5.2 stack) concentrations have fallen 24% 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.

2.1M lb · +10% YoY · +3% 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.

41.9M lb · +4% YoY · -32% since 2010

TRI land + off-site releases concentrations have fallen 32% 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.

71M metric tons CO₂e · -15% YoY · -32% since 2010

Greenhouse gases (GHGRP large emitters, through 2023) concentrations have fallen 32% since 2010.

Top counties · TRI 2024

Missouri Counties With Most Chemical Releases

Methodology →

CountyPopulationFacilitiesTotal releasesYoYTop chemical
Iron CountyFIPS 290939,538217.0M lb+32%Lead And Lead CompoundsHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR)
Reynolds CountyFIPS 291796,102514.7M lb-9%Zinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR)
St LouisFIPS —772.4M lb-9%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)
Jackson CountyFIPS 29095715,526372.1M lb+6%n-HexaneHealth riskPeripheral neurotoxin. Chronic exposure causes numbness and paralysis in the extremities. (ATSDR)
Buchanan CountyFIPS 2902184,544191.7M lb+24%Chromium and 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)
Cape Girardeau CountyFIPS 2903181,703111.6M lb-14%Ethylene glycolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested. Metabolizes to compounds that cause kidney failure. (EPA)
Pettis CountyFIPS 2915943,059101.5M 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)
Clay CountyFIPS 29047253,085171.3M lb+0%1,2,4-TrimethylbenzeneHealth riskEye, skin, and respiratory irritant; high exposure causes nervous-system effects. (ATSDR)
New Madrid CountyFIPS 2914316,34151.2M lb-35%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)
Franklin CountyFIPS 29071104,858141.1M lb-39%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)
Top facilities · TRI 2024

The Largest Individual Emitters In Missouri

Methodology →

FacilityCityTop chemicalTotal releasesYoY
Buick Mine/MillThe Renco Group INCBossLead And Lead CompoundsHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR)9.2M lb-1%
Buick Resource Recycling Facility LLCThe Renco Group INCBossLead And Lead CompoundsHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR)7.7M lb+118%
Sweetwater Mine/MillThe Renco Group INCEllingtonZinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR)5.2M lb-1%
Brushy Creek Mine/MillThe Renco Group INCBossZinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR)4.9M lb-18%
Fletcher Mine/MillThe Renco Group INCCentervilleLead And Lead CompoundsHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR)4.6M lb-7%
Ford Motor Company--Kansas City Assembly PlantFord Motor CoClaycomo1,2,4-TrimethylbenzeneHealth riskEye, skin, and respiratory irritant; high exposure causes nervous-system effects. (ATSDR)1.3M lb+0%
National Beef Leathers LLCNational Beef Packing Co LLCSaint JosephChromium and 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)1.2M lb+46%
Associated Electric Cooperative INC New Madrid Power PlantAssociated Electric Cooperative INCMarstonBarium 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)1.2M lb-7%
Tyson Poultry INC. - Processing PlantTyson Foods INCSedaliaNitrate 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)1.1M lb+14%
Iatan Generating StationEvergy INCWestonBarium 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)992k lb+15%
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
Cape Girardeau Pws MunicipalMO401013639,9411UNRESOLVED
Farmington Pws MunicipalMO401027018,2175UNRESOLVED
Hannibal Pws MunicipalMO201034417,1082UNRESOLVED
Poplar Bluff Pws MunicipalMO401065617,0432UNRESOLVED
Jackson Pws MunicipalMO401040415,0002UNRESOLVED
Washington Pws MunicipalMO601083814,0683UNRESOLVED
Lincoln County Pwsd 1 MunicipalMO602434014,0001UNRESOLVED
West Plains Pws MunicipalMO401085312,8646UNRESOLVED
Maryville Pws MunicipalMO101050810,77510UNRESOLVED
Vernon County Cons Pwsd 1 MunicipalMO50246189,6154UNRESOLVED
Superfund / NPL sites

Federal Cleanup Sites In Missouri

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
Armour RoadNorth Kansas CityNPL FINALNoArsenicHealth 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)
Bee Cee Manufacturing Co.MaldenNPL FINALNoArsenicHealth 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)
Big River Mine Tailings/St. Joe Minerals Corp.DeslogeNPL FINALNoLeadHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR)
Compass Plaza Well TceRogersvilleNPL FINALNo—
Conservation Chemical Co.Kansas CityNPL FINALNo1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Ellisville SiteWildwoodNPL FINALNo2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-P-Dioxin (Tcdd)
Fulbright LandfillSpringfieldNPL FINALNoCyanideHealth riskAcutely lethal at high doses by blocking cellular respiration; chronic low-dose exposure damages the thyroid and nervous system. (EPA, ATSDR)
Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (Northwest Lagoon)IndependenceNPL FINALFEDERALChloroethene (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)
Lee ChemicalLibertyNPL FINALNo1,1,1-TrichloroethaneHealth riskMethyl chloroform. CNS depressant; ozone-depleting substance phased out under Montreal Protocol. EPA MCL 200 µg/L. (EPA, ATSDR)
Madison County MinesFredericktownNPL FINALNoLeadHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR)

Showing the top 10 sites by status priority. 29 additional NPL-relevant sites in Missouri 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 Missouri block groups: 6,154,913 residents. Statewide disparity score for pm2.5 (fine particulate) sits below the reference (53). 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
12.8%

Low-income

POPULATION SHARE
22.4%

People of color

POPULATION SHARE
6.1%

Under age 5

POPULATION SHARE
17.3%

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.45near the national median
  • OzoneHealth riskGround-level ozone (smog) inflames the airways. Even short exposures trigger asthma attacks and worsen chronic lung and heart disease.44near 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.39below 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.47near 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.84in 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.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.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.93in 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.67above 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.62above 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.89in the highest 20% 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.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)53below the reference
Ozone55below the reference
Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)47well below the reference
Diesel particulate51below the reference
Toxic releases (RSEI)57below the reference
Traffic proximity46well below the reference
Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing)57below the reference
Superfund site proximity43well below the reference
RMP-facility proximity54below the reference
Hazardous-waste site proximity53below the reference
Underground storage tanks52below the reference
NPDES wastewater proximity64below the reference
Drinking-water non-compliance14well 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 76 Missouri Counties With TRI Data

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

Sources.