County · TRI 2024
Berks County, Pennsylvania Pollution
10 top TRI facilities tracked here. PM2.5 annual mean (NAAQS 9 µg/m³ (annual)) fell meaningfully year over year (-19%). PM2.5 annual mean (NAAQS 9 µg/m³ (annual)) concentrations have more than halved since 2010.
FIPS 42011 · population 428,483
Top facilities mapped
Where Chemicals Are Released In Berks County
Each red dot is one of the top TRI facilities. Size reflects 2024 total releases. County boundary outlined in blue.
Pollutant pathways
Berks County 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 20% 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 more than halved 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 fallen 21% 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 are up 43% 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.
Top facilities · 2024
Where The Chemical Releases Are Concentrated
| Facility | City | Top chemical | Total releases | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenter Technology CorpCarpenter Technology CORP | Reading | 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) | 2.5M lb | +62% |
| East Penn Manufacturing CO INCEast Penn Manufacturing Co INC | Lyon Station | LeadHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR) | 586k lb | +13% |
| Global Advanced Metals USA | Boyertown | Methyl isobutyl ketoneHealth riskEye, skin, and respiratory irritant; central-nervous-system depressant at high exposure. (NIOSH) | 339k lb | -10% |
| Cambridge-Lee Industries | Reading | CopperHealth riskInhaled copper fumes cause metal-fume fever; chronic ingestion above EPA's 1.3 mg/L action level damages the liver. (EPA) | 223k lb | +33% |
| Materion Brush INCMaterion CORP | Shoemakersville | Copper And Copper CompoundsHealth riskInhaled copper fumes cause metal-fume fever; chronic ingestion above EPA's 1.3 mg/L action level damages the liver. (EPA) | 119k lb | +45% |
| Ifs Industries INCOna CORP | Reading | DiisocyanatesHealth riskLeading cause of occupational asthma; severe respiratory sensitizers. (OSHA) | 96k lb | +6% |
| Heidelberg Materials US Cement LLC - EvansvilleHeidelberg Materials US INC | Fleetwood | AmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA) | 72k lb | -23% |
| Reading Truck BodyJb Poindexter & Co INC | Reading | Certain glycol ethersHealth riskReproductive toxicants; some cause testicular damage and developmental harm. (EPA) | 36k lb | +19% |
| Yuasa Battery INC.Yuasa Battery INC | Laureldale | Lead And Lead CompoundsHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR) | 31k lb | -24% |
| Toppan Interamerica INCToppan Interamerica INC | Morgantown | TolueneHealth riskCentral-nervous-system depressant. Chronic high exposure causes hearing loss and developmental effects. (EPA, ATSDR) | 12k lb | +11% |
Superfund / NPL sites
Federal Cleanup Sites In Berks County
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bally Ground Water Contamination | Bally | NPL FINAL | No | 1,1,1-TrichloroethaneHealth riskMethyl chloroform. CNS depressant; ozone-depleting substance phased out under Montreal Protocol. EPA MCL 200 µg/L. (EPA, ATSDR) |
| Berks Sand Pit | Longswamp Township | NPL FINAL | No | TetrachloroetheneHealth 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) |
| Brown'S Battery Breaking | Hamburg | NPL FINAL | No | LeadHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR) |
| Crossley Farm | Hereford Township | NPL FINAL | No | Cis-1,2-DichloroetheneHealth riskTCE biodegradation intermediate. EPA MCL 70 µg/L; lower toxicity than parent solvents but commonly co-occurs in groundwater plumes. (EPA) |
| Cryochem, Inc. | Worman | NPL FINAL | No | 1,1-DichloroethaneHealth riskSuspected carcinogen (EPA C/likely); CNS depressant. Common at solvent-contaminated sites as a degradation intermediate. (EPA, ATSDR) |
| Douglassville Disposal | Douglassville | NPL FINAL | No | LeadHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR) |
| Former Exide Technologies Laureldale | Laureldale | NPL FINAL | No | — |
| Price Battery Lead Smelter | Hamburg | NPL FINAL | No | AntimonyHealth riskInhaled antimony trioxide is an IARC Group 2B possible carcinogen; respiratory and cardiovascular effects from long-term exposure. EPA MCL 6 µg/L. (IARC, EPA) |
| Ryeland Road Arsenic Site | Heidelberg Twp | 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) |
| Berks Landfill | Spring Township | DELETED | No | 1,1,2-Trichloroethane |
Equity context · ACS 2018-2022 · USEPA-clone EJ disparity
Who Lives In Berks County
All block groups in Berks County County, PA: 428,483 residents. County disparity score for pm2.5 (fine particulate) sits below the reference (77). Why we surface this →
11.8%
Low-income
31.2%
People of color
6.1%
Under age 5
17.5%
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.65above the national median
- OzoneHealth riskGround-level ozone (smog) inflames the airways. Even short exposures trigger asthma attacks and worsen chronic lung and heart disease.42near 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.36below 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.53near 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.89in 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.54near 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.75above 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.82in the highest 20% 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.79above 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.55near 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.70above 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.69above 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
| Indicator | Disparity score | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 (fine particulate) | 77 | below the reference |
| Ozone | 66 | below the reference |
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) | 56 | below the reference |
| Diesel particulate | 66 | below the reference |
| Toxic releases (RSEI) | 100 | near the reference |
| Traffic proximity | 66 | below the reference |
| Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing) | 82 | below the reference |
| Superfund site proximity | 75 | below the reference |
| RMP-facility proximity | 83 | below the reference |
| Hazardous-waste site proximity | 63 | below the reference |
| Underground storage tanks | 69 | below the reference |
| NPDES wastewater proximity | 75 | below the reference |
| Drinking-water non-compliance | 7 | well below the reference |
Source: Census ACS 2018-2022 (5-year) + USEPA-clone EJ blockgroup stats (raw indicators + EJ disparity mirror).
Browse
All 30 Berks County Cities With TRI Data
Pollution trends and TRI 2024 pages for every tracked city in this county. Alphabetical.
- Bally pollution· 0 facilities
- Bechtelsville pollution· 1 facility
- Bernville pollution· 0 facilities
- Birdsboro pollution· 0 facilities
- Blandon pollution· 2 facilities
- Boyertown pollution· 1 facility
- Chadds Ford pollution· 0 facilities
- Douglassville pollution· 0 facilities
- Edenburg pollution· 1 facility
- Fleetwood pollution· 0 facilities
- Hamburg pollution· 0 facilities
- Kutztown pollution· 1 facility
- Laureldale pollution· 1 facility
- Leesport pollution· 0 facilities
- Lenhartsville pollution· 0 facilities
- Morgantown pollution· 0 facilities
- Muhlenberg Park pollution· 1 facility
- New Berlinville pollution· 1 facility
- New Morgan pollution· 1 facility
- Oley pollution· 0 facilities
- Reading pollution· 4 facilities
- Rehrersburg pollution· 0 facilities
- Shoemakersville pollution· 0 facilities
- Sinking Spring pollution· 0 facilities
- Topton pollution· 0 facilities
- Wernersville pollution· 0 facilities
- West Hamburg pollution· 1 facility
- West Reading pollution· 0 facilities
- Womelsdorf pollution· 0 facilities
- Wyomissing pollution· 0 facilities
Sources.
- EPA Toxics Release Inventory · retrieved 2026-05-07.
All sources are federal public-domain datasets under 17 USC §105. We aggregate but do not relabel; the underlying observations remain attributable to EPA.