Pollution Analyst
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State · TRI 2024

North Carolina Pollution

637 TRI facilities, 1,963 public water systems, and 44 Superfund / NPL sites across 81 counties. Statewide TRI releases held roughly steady year over year (+1%). Toxic releases concentrations have fallen 16% since 2010.

FIPS 37 · population 10,439,388 · 100 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/m³.15 µg/m³'10'12'14'16'18'20'22'247 µg/m³
Anomaly engine

Notable Signals At The State Level

LONG-ARC IMPROVEMENT · LONG-ARC SHIFT

TRI air releases

TRI air releases at North Carolina 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

North Carolina 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.

7.16 µg/m³ · -15% YoY · -53% 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.

15.87 µg/m³ · -37% YoY · -51% since 2010

PM2.5 24-hour 98th percentile (NAAQS 35 µg/m³ (24-hour)) concentrations have more than halved 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.

0.061 ppm · -7% YoY · -28% since 2010

Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max (NAAQS 0.070 ppm (8-hour)) concentrations have fallen 28% 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.

6.8 ppb · +5% YoY · -62% 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.

30.0 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.

1.64 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.

14.9M lb · -12% YoY · -57% since 2010

TRI air releases (5.1 fugitive + 5.2 stack) concentrations have more than halved 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.

8.3M lb · -1% YoY · -10% 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.

33.3M lb · +9% YoY · +45% since 2010

TRI land + off-site releases concentrations are up 45% 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.

91M metric tons CO₂e · -9% YoY · -16% since 2010

Greenhouse gases (GHGRP large emitters, through 2023) concentrations have fallen 16% since 2010.

Top counties · TRI 2024

North Carolina Counties With Most Chemical Releases

Methodology →

CountyPopulationFacilitiesTotal releasesYoYTop chemical
Rutherford CountyFIPS 3716164,680613.7M lb+7%Lead compoundsHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR)
Bladen CountyFIPS 3701729,80754.1M 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)
Beaufort CountyFIPS 3701344,71144.1M lb-3%Hydrogen sulfideHealth riskAcutely toxic at high concentrations (paralyzes the olfactory nerve, then respiratory failure); chronic low-level exposure causes eye and respiratory irritation. (NIOSH)
Person CountyFIPS 3714539,13162.9M lb+60%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)
New Hanover CountyFIPS 37129228,134122.7M lb-4%N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidoneHealth riskReproductive and developmental toxicant; absorbed through skin. (EPA)
Mecklenburg CountyFIPS 371191,115,403512.6M lb-18%TolueneHealth riskCentral-nervous-system depressant. Chronic high exposure causes hearing loss and developmental effects. (EPA, ATSDR)
Bertie CountyFIPS 3701517,81832.1M lb-10%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)
Onslow CountyFIPS 37133203,68641.9M lb+90%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)
Columbus CountyFIPS 3704750,82731.9M lb-44%MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)
Catawba CountyFIPS 37035161,011211.7M lb+7%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 North Carolina

Methodology →

FacilityCityTop chemicalTotal releasesYoY
Befesa Zinc Metal LLCBefesa Holding US INCMooresboroLead compoundsHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR)12.9M lb+7%
Pcs Phosphate CO INCNutrien US Topco LLCAuroraHydrogen sulfideHealth riskAcutely toxic at high concentrations (paralyzes the olfactory nerve, then respiratory failure); chronic low-level exposure causes eye and respiratory irritation. (NIOSH)4.0M lb-3%
Smithfield Fresh Meats Corp - Tar HeelUnited Global Foods US Holdings INCTar HeelNitrate 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)3.7M lb+3%
Duke Energy Progress LLC - Roxboro Steam Electric PlantDuke Energy CORPSemoraBarium 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)2.4M lb+98%
Nexeo Solutions LLCUnivar Solutions USA INCCharlotteTolueneHealth riskCentral-nervous-system depressant. Chronic high exposure causes hearing loss and developmental effects. (EPA, ATSDR)2.2M lb-5%
Perdue Foods LLC - Lewiston Processing PlantPerdue Farms INCLewiston WoodvilleNitrate 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)1.9M lb-11%
Mcieast-Mcb Camlej Main FacilityUS Department Of DefenseCamp LejeuneNitrate 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)1.9M lb+90%
International Paper Riegelwood MillInternational Paper CoRiegelwoodMethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)1.7M lb-45%
Fortron Industries LLCCelanese CORPWilmingtonN-Methyl-2-pyrrolidoneHealth riskReproductive and developmental toxicant; absorbed through skin. (EPA)1.7M lb-8%
Duke Energy Carolinas LLC - Marshall Steam StationDuke Energy CORPTerrellBarium 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)1.4M 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
Cary, Town Of MunicipalNC0392020224,0006UNRESOLVED
Asheville City Of MunicipalNC0111010157,4318UNRESOLVED
Onslow Wtr And Sewer Authority MunicipalNC0467035156,7553UNRESOLVED
High Point, City Of MunicipalNC0241020118,3992UNRESOLVED
Burlington, City Of MunicipalNC020101061,3654UNRESOLVED
Brunswick Regional Water And Sewer H2Go MunicipalNC041007045,7482UNRESOLVED
Monroe, City Of MunicipalNC019001043,0812UNRESOLVED
Fuquay-Varina, Town Of MunicipalNC039205542,9542UNRESOLVED
Craven County Water System MunicipalNC042505537,8482UNRESOLVED
Pender County Utilities MunicipalNC707101131,60039UNRESOLVED
Superfund / NPL sites

Federal Cleanup Sites In North Carolina

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
Abc One Hour CleanersJacksonvilleNPL FINALNoChloroethene (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)
Aberdeen Contaminated Ground WaterAberdeenNPL FINALNoAlpha-HexachlorocyclohexaneHealth riskLindane. IARC Group 1 carcinogen (added 2015); banned for agricultural use in the US in 2007. (IARC, EPA)
Aberdeen Pesticide DumpsAberdeenNPL FINALNoAldrinHealth riskMetabolizes to dieldrin in the body. EPA classifies as 'probable human carcinogen'; banned in the US in 1987. (EPA, ATSDR)
Barber OrchardWaynesvilleNPL FINALNoAlpha-HexachlorocyclohexaneHealth riskLindane. IARC Group 1 carcinogen (added 2015); banned for agricultural use in the US in 2007. (IARC, EPA)
Benfield Industries, Inc.WaynesvilleNPL FINALNo1,2-Dichloropropane
Blue Ridge Plating CompanyAshevilleNPL FINALNo1,1-DichloroethaneHealth riskSuspected carcinogen (EPA C/likely); CNS depressant. Common at solvent-contaminated sites as a degradation intermediate. (EPA, ATSDR)
Bypass 601 Ground Water ContaminationConcordNPL FINALNoChromiumHealth riskHexavalent chromium (Cr-VI) is an IARC Group 1 carcinogen via inhalation, causing lung cancer; trivalent chromium is far less toxic. (IARC, EPA)
Camp Lejeune Military Res. (Usnavy)JacksonvilleNPL FINALFEDERALTrichloroetheneHealth riskTCE. IARC Group 1 carcinogen — kidney cancer; suspected liver cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. EPA MCL 5 µg/L; common DNAPL groundwater plume contaminant. (IARC, EPA, ATSDR)
Cape Fear Wood PreservingFayettevilleNPL FINALNo1,2-Dihydroacenaphthylene
Carolina Transformer Co.FayettevilleNPL FINALNo1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene

Showing the top 10 sites by status priority. 34 additional NPL-relevant sites in North Carolina 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 North Carolina block groups: 10,439,388 residents. Statewide disparity score for pm2.5 (fine particulate) sits well below the reference (33). 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
13.3%

Low-income

POPULATION SHARE
38.3%

People of color

POPULATION SHARE
5.9%

Under age 5

POPULATION SHARE
16.7%

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.19below the national median
  • OzoneHealth riskGround-level ozone (smog) inflames the airways. Even short exposures trigger asthma attacks and worsen chronic lung and heart disease.17below 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.23below 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.28below 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.46near 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.49near 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.64above 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.52near 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.45near 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.75above 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.77above 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)33well below the reference
Ozone40well below the reference
Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)37well below the reference
Diesel particulate42well below the reference
Toxic releases (RSEI)73below the reference
Traffic proximity55below the reference
Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing)49well below the reference
Superfund site proximity24well below the reference
RMP-facility proximity52below the reference
Hazardous-waste site proximity47well below the reference
Underground storage tanks78below the reference
NPDES wastewater proximity55below the reference
Drinking-water non-compliance23well 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 81 North Carolina Counties With TRI Data

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

Sources.