TRI land + off-site releases
TRI land + off-site releases at South Dakota have more than doubled since 2010 (through 2024).
State · TRI 2024
South Dakota Pollution
79 TRI facilities, 513 public water systems, and 4 Superfund / NPL sites across 26 counties. Statewide TRI releases fell meaningfully year over year (-17%). Toxic releases concentrations are up 54% since 2010.
FIPS 46 · population 886,667 · 66 counties total
Anomaly engine
Notable Signals At The State Level
Total TRI releases
Total TRI releases at South Dakota have risen 54% 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
South Dakota 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 fallen 26% 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 fallen 22% 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 are roughly unchanged from 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 are up 24% since 2011.
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 are up 47% 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 29% 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 doubled 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 are roughly unchanged from 2010.
| County | Population | Facilities | Total releases | YoY | Top chemical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence CountyFIPS 46081 | 26,047 | 1 | 2.7M lb | +37% | Lead And Lead CompoundsHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR) |
| Minnehaha CountyFIPS 46099 | 197,742 | 16 | 1.3M lb | -56% | 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) |
| Brookings CountyFIPS 46011 | 34,631 | 6 | 969k lb | -25% | n-HexaneHealth riskPeripheral neurotoxin. Chronic exposure causes numbness and paralysis in the extremities. (ATSDR) |
| Brown CountyFIPS 46013 | 38,278 | 5 | 654k lb | -11% | n-HexaneHealth riskPeripheral neurotoxin. Chronic exposure causes numbness and paralysis in the extremities. (ATSDR) |
| Codington CountyFIPS 46029 | 28,402 | 6 | 579k lb | -24% | ManganeseHealth riskExcess inhalation can cause manganism, a Parkinson-like neurological disorder. (ATSDR) |
| Grant CountyFIPS 46051 | 7,533 | 3 | 425k lb | +7% | 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) |
| Lincoln CountyFIPS 46083 | 65,801 | 6 | 82k lb | -40% | Xylene (mixed isomers)Health riskEye, skin, and respiratory irritant; central-nervous-system effects from chronic exposure. (EPA) |
| Pennington CountyFIPS 46103 | 110,386 | 5 | 68k lb | +11% | Hydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size)Health riskAerosolized HCl is a corrosive respiratory irritant; chronic exposure damages teeth and respiratory tissue. (NIOSH) |
| Hamlin CountyFIPS 46057 | 6,196 | 1 | 48k lb | — | 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) |
| Roberts CountyFIPS 46109 | 10,242 | 2 | 43k lb | -23% | MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA) |
| Facility | City | Top chemical | Total releases | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wharf ResourcesCoeur Mining INC | Lead | Lead And Lead CompoundsHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR) | 2.7M lb | +37% |
| Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp - Sioux FallsUnited Global Foods US Holdings INC | Sioux Falls | 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) | 1.1M lb | -58% |
| Workhorse Cabs LLC Dba Crenlo Engineered CabsTaxi Workhorse Holdings LLC | Watertown | ManganeseHealth riskExcess inhalation can cause manganism, a Parkinson-like neurological disorder. (ATSDR) | 535k lb | -27% |
| Novita Aurora LLC | Aurora | n-HexaneHealth riskPeripheral neurotoxin. Chronic exposure causes numbness and paralysis in the extremities. (ATSDR) | 459k lb | -39% |
| South Dakota Soybean Processors | Volga | n-HexaneHealth riskPeripheral neurotoxin. Chronic exposure causes numbness and paralysis in the extremities. (ATSDR) | 443k lb | -5% |
| Otter Tail Power CO Big Stone PlantOtter Tail CORP | Big Stone City | 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) | 383k lb | +4% |
| AG Processing INCAG Processing INC | Aberdeen | n-HexaneHealth riskPeripheral neurotoxin. Chronic exposure causes numbness and paralysis in the extremities. (ATSDR) | 327k lb | +1% |
| New Angus LLCWhite Oak Global Advisors LLC | Aberdeen | 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) | 285k lb | -23% |
| Design Tanks LLC | Sioux Falls | StyreneHealth riskIARC Group 2A probable carcinogen; central-nervous-system effects from inhalation. (IARC, EPA) | 62k lb | +11% |
| Showplace Wood ProductsShowplace Wood Products | Harrisburg | Xylene (mixed isomers)Health riskEye, skin, and respiratory irritant; central-nervous-system effects from chronic exposure. (EPA) | 59k lb | +24% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen Municipal | SD4600020 | 27,989 | 17 | UNRESOLVED |
| Box Elder Municipal | SD4600046 | 14,000 | 19 | UNRESOLVED |
| Sioux Rural Water System Private | SD4600866 | 4,280 | 2 | UNRESOLVED |
| Eagle Butte Municipal | SD4600010 | 4,000 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
| Parkston Municipal | SD4600236 | 1,567 | 3 | UNRESOLVED |
| Wessington Springs Municipal | SD4600362 | 895 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
| Lake Andes Municipal | SD4600185 | 710 | 2 | UNRESOLVED |
| White River Municipal | SD4600367 | 533 | 2 | UNRESOLVED |
| Leola Municipal | SD4600194 | 434 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
| Weston Heights Homeowners Associatio Municipal | SD4600862 | 412 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
Superfund / NPL sites
Federal Cleanup Sites In South Dakota
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellsworth Air Force Base | Ellsworth Afb | NPL FINAL | FEDERAL | TrichloroetheneHealth 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) |
| Gilt Edge Mine | Lead | 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) |
| Whitewood Creek | Whitewood | DELETED | 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) |
| Williams Pipe Line Co. Disposal Pit | Sioux Falls | DELETED | 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) |
Equity context · ACS 2018-2022 · USEPA-clone EJ disparity
Statewide Population Characteristics
All South Dakota block groups: 886,667 residents. Statewide disparity score for pm2.5 (fine particulate) sits well below the reference (3). 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.
12.3%
Low-income
19.4%
People of color
6.9%
Under age 5
17.3%
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.3below the national median
- OzoneHealth riskGround-level ozone (smog) inflames the airways. Even short exposures trigger asthma attacks and worsen chronic lung and heart disease.37below 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.67above 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.12below 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.34below 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.43near 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.63above 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.56near 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.51near 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.32below 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.64above 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.74above 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.77above the national median
| Indicator | Disparity score | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 (fine particulate) | 3 | well below the reference |
| Ozone | 62 | below the reference |
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) | 51 | below the reference |
| Diesel particulate | 15 | well below the reference |
| Toxic releases (RSEI) | 21 | well below the reference |
| Traffic proximity | 31 | well below the reference |
| Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing) | 49 | well below the reference |
| Superfund site proximity | 6 | well below the reference |
| RMP-facility proximity | 25 | well below the reference |
| Hazardous-waste site proximity | 22 | well below the reference |
| Underground storage tanks | 47 | well below the reference |
| NPDES wastewater proximity | 40 | well below the reference |
| Drinking-water non-compliance | 3 | 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 26 South Dakota Counties With TRI Data
Pollution trends and TRI 2024 pages for every tracked county. Alphabetical.
- Beadle County pollution· 2 facilities
- Bon Homme County pollution· 1 facility
- Brookings County pollution· 6 facilities
- Brown County pollution· 5 facilities
- Charles Mix County pollution· 1 facility
- Codington County pollution· 6 facilities
- Davison County pollution· 4 facilities
- Day County pollution· 1 facility
- Deuel County pollution· 1 facility
- Douglas County pollution· 1 facility
- Edmunds County pollution· 1 facility
- Grant County pollution· 3 facilities
- Hamlin County pollution· 1 facility
- Hutchinson County pollution· 2 facilities
- Lake County pollution· 2 facilities
- Lawrence County pollution· 1 facility
- Lincoln County pollution· 6 facilities
- Marshall County pollution· 1 facility
- Minnehaha County pollution· 16 facilities
- Pennington County pollution· 5 facilities
- Roberts County pollution· 2 facilities
- Spink County pollution· 1 facility
- Sully County pollution· 1 facility
- Turner County pollution· 2 facilities
- Union County pollution· 1 facility
- Yankton County pollution· 6 facilities
Sources.
- EPA Toxics Release Inventory · retrieved 2026-05-07.