Pollution Analyst
How it works→
State · TRI 2024

Ohio Pollution

1,023 TRI facilities, 1,091 public water systems, and 50 Superfund / NPL sites across 86 counties. Statewide TRI releases held roughly steady year over year (-4%). Toxic releases concentrations have fallen 46% since 2010.

FIPS 39 · population 11,799,448 · 88 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/m³.17 µg/m³'10'12'14'16'18'20'22'248 µg/m³
Anomaly engine

Notable Signals At The State Level

LONG-ARC IMPROVEMENT · LONG-ARC SHIFT

TRI air releases

TRI air releases at Ohio 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

Ohio 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.

7.58 µg/m³ · -25% YoY · -56% 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.

16.27 µg/m³ · -52% YoY · -58% 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.

0.067 ppm · -4% YoY · -18% since 2010

Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max (NAAQS 0.070 ppm (8-hour)) concentrations have fallen 18% 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 · -3% YoY · -58% 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.

28.0 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.

1.33 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.

0.18 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.

23.7M lb · -9% YoY · -63% 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.

6.6M lb · +3% YoY · -28% since 2010

TRI water releases (5.3) concentrations have fallen 28% since 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.

56.1M lb · -2% YoY · -34% since 2010

TRI land + off-site releases concentrations have fallen 34% 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.

262M metric tons CO₂e · -2% YoY · +38% since 2010

Greenhouse gases (GHGRP large emitters, through 2023) concentrations are up 38% since 2010.

Top counties · TRI 2024

Ohio Counties With Most Chemical Releases

Methodology →

CountyPopulationFacilitiesTotal releasesYoYTop chemical
Allen CountyFIPS 39003102,087169.8M lb+8%AmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)
Cuyahoga CountyFIPS 390351,256,6201017.9M lb-16%Zinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR)
Ashtabula CountyFIPS 3900797,666276.5M lb-1%Carbonyl sulfide
Tuscarawas CountyFIPS 3915792,840226.0M lb+17%Aluminum (fume or dust)Health riskInhaled aluminum fumes can cause lung scarring (aluminosis); high cumulative exposure has been linked to neurological effects. (NIOSH)
Gallia CountyFIPS 3905329,27625.5M lb-22%Sulfuric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size)Health riskAcid mists are an IARC Group 1 carcinogen via inhalation (laryngeal cancer) and corrosive on contact. (IARC)
Lucas CountyFIPS 39095430,014385.1M lb+30%Vanadium (except when contained in an alloy)Health riskRespiratory irritant. Chronic high exposure causes 'green tongue' and bronchitis. (NIOSH)
Sandusky CountyFIPS 3914358,885115.1M lb-21%Zinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR)
Coshocton CountyFIPS 3903136,62954.0M 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)
Washington CountyFIPS 3916759,639133.6M lb+11%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)
Trumbull CountyFIPS 39155201,749193.5M lb+95%N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidoneHealth riskReproductive and developmental toxicant; absorbed through skin. (EPA)
Top facilities · TRI 2024

The Largest Individual Emitters In Ohio

Methodology →

FacilityCityTop chemicalTotal releasesYoY
Ineos Nitriles USA LLCIneos US I INCLimaAmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)6.5M lb+21%
Cleveland-Cliffs Cleveland Works LLCCleveland-Cliffs INCClevelandZinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR)6.4M lb-16%
Imco Recycling Of Ohio LLCNovelis INCUhrichsvilleAluminum (fume or dust)Health riskInhaled aluminum fumes can cause lung scarring (aluminosis); high cumulative exposure has been linked to neurological effects. (NIOSH)5.5M lb+23%
Vickery Environmental INC.Waste Management INCVickeryZinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR)4.5M lb-22%
Gavin Power LLCLightstone Generation LLCCheshireSulfuric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size)Health riskAcid mists are an IARC Group 1 carcinogen via inhalation (laryngeal cancer) and corrosive on contact. (IARC)4.3M lb-22%
Ineos Pigments USA INCIneos Enterprises US Holdco LLCAshtabulaCarbonyl sulfide4.0M lb-0%
Cleveland-Cliffs Steel CorpCleveland-Cliffs INCCoshoctonNitrate 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)3.4M lb-10%
Ultium Cells LLCUltium Cells LLCWarrenN-Methyl-2-pyrrolidoneHealth riskReproductive and developmental toxicant; absorbed through skin. (EPA)3.0M lb+124%
Walleye Power LLC - Bay Shore PlantOlympus Power LLCOregonVanadium (except when contained in an alloy)Health riskRespiratory irritant. Chronic high exposure causes 'green tongue' and bronchitis. (NIOSH)2.7M lb+119%
Pcs Nitrogen Ohio L.P.Nutrien US Topco LLCLimaAmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)2.7M 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.

Methodology →

Water systemPWSIDPopulation servedHealth-based · 5yrStatus
Toledo City Of MunicipalOH4801411360,0004UNRESOLVED
Akron City Pws MunicipalOH7700011280,0001UNRESOLVED
Lima City MunicipalOH020081165,6195UNRESOLVED
Cuyahoga Falls City Pws MunicipalOH770101251,1141UNRESOLVED
Mansfield City MunicipalOH700291451,0008UNRESOLVED
Stow Public Water System PrivateOH770450335,4371UNRESOLVED
Belmont Co. Sanitary District 3 Pws MunicipalOH070041226,8221UNRESOLVED
Alliance City Pws MunicipalOH760001122,2327UNRESOLVED
Sidney City Pws MunicipalOH750121420,6143UNRESOLVED
Northwestern W And Sd - Toledo Svc Area MunicipalOH875281219,7584UNRESOLVED
Superfund / NPL sites

Federal Cleanup Sites In Ohio

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
Allied Chemical & Ironton CokeIrontonNPL 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)
Behr Dayton Thermal System Voc PlumeDaytonNPL FINALNoTetrachloroetheneHealth riskPCE / 'perc'. IARC Group 2A probable carcinogen; central-nervous-system effects; common dry-cleaning solvent and DNAPL plume contaminant. EPA MCL 5 µg/L. (IARC, EPA)
Big D CampgroundKingsvilleNPL FINALNo1,2-DichlorobenzeneHealth riskLiver and kidney effects from chronic exposure. EPA MCL 600 µg/L. (EPA, ATSDR)
Chem-DyneHamiltonNPL FINALNo1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
Copley Square PlazaCopleyNPL 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)
Donnelsville Contaminated AquiferDonnelsvilleNPL FINALNo—
E.H. Schilling LandfillHamilton TownshipNPL FINALNo1,2-DichloroethaneHealth riskIARC Group 2B possible carcinogen; liver and kidney toxic. EPA MCL 5 µg/L. (IARC, EPA)
East Troy Contaminated AquiferTroyNPL FINALNoTetrachloroetheneHealth riskPCE / 'perc'. IARC Group 2A probable carcinogen; central-nervous-system effects; common dry-cleaning solvent and DNAPL plume contaminant. EPA MCL 5 µg/L. (IARC, EPA)
Feed Materials Production Center (Usdoe)FernaldNPL FINALFEDERALTechnetium-99
Fields BrookAshtabulaNPL FINALNoHexachlorobenzene

Showing the top 10 sites by status priority. 40 additional NPL-relevant sites in Ohio 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 Ohio block groups: 11,799,448 residents. Statewide disparity score for pm2.5 (fine particulate) sits below the reference (54). 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
22.8%

People of color

POPULATION SHARE
6.0%

Under age 5

POPULATION SHARE
17.6%

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.50near the national median
  • OzoneHealth riskGround-level ozone (smog) inflames the airways. Even short exposures trigger asthma attacks and worsen chronic lung and heart disease.63above 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.59near 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.55near 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.92in the highest 10% 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.52near 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.71above 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.70above 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.60above 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.69above 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.80in 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.79above 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)54below the reference
Ozone80below the reference
Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)66below the reference
Diesel particulate61below the reference
Toxic releases (RSEI)83below the reference
Traffic proximity52below the reference
Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing)67below the reference
Superfund site proximity26well below the reference
RMP-facility proximity61below the reference
Hazardous-waste site proximity57below the reference
Underground storage tanks58below the reference
NPDES wastewater proximity66below the reference
Drinking-water non-compliance29well 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 86 Ohio Counties With TRI Data

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

Sources.