Pollution Analyst
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State · TRI 2024

Texas Pollution

1,621 TRI facilities, 4,617 public water systems, and 70 Superfund / NPL sites across 166 counties. Statewide TRI releases rose modestly year over year (+7%). Toxic releases concentrations are up 31% since 2010.

FIPS 48 · population 29,145,505 · 254 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): 9 µg/m³.12 µg/m³'10'12'14'16'18'20'22'249 µg/m³
Anomaly engine

Notable Signals At The State Level

NAAQS EXCEEDANCE · AIR QUALITY · NAAQS

Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max

Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max in Texas statewide reached 0.074 ppm in 2024, 6% above the EPA NAAQS of 0.07 ppm.

NAAQS EXCEEDANCE · AIR QUALITY · NAAQS

PM2.5 annual mean

PM2.5 annual mean in Texas statewide reached 9.4 µg/m³ in 2024, 4% above the EPA NAAQS of 9 µg/m³.

LONG-ARC REGRESSION · LONG-ARC SHIFT

TRI land + off-site releases

TRI land + off-site releases at Texas have risen 52% 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

Texas 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.

9.36 µg/m³ · +3% YoY · -19% since 2010

PM2.5 annual mean (NAAQS 9 µg/m³ (annual)) concentrations have fallen 19% 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.

26.40 µg/m³ · +20% YoY · -5% since 2010

PM2.5 24-hour 98th percentile (NAAQS 35 µg/m³ (24-hour)) concentrations are roughly unchanged from 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.

0.074 ppm · +1% YoY · -14% since 2010

Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max (NAAQS 0.070 ppm (8-hour)) concentrations have fallen 14% 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.

6.6 ppb · -1% YoY · -45% since 2010

NO₂ annual mean (NAAQS 53 ppb (annual)) concentrations have fallen 45% 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.

32.7 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.

0.14 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.

52.4M lb · +3% YoY · -16% since 2010

TRI air releases (5.1 fugitive + 5.2 stack) concentrations have fallen 16% 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.

16.6M lb · +2% YoY · +30% since 2010

TRI water releases (5.3) concentrations are up 30% 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.

211.6M lb · +9% YoY · +52% since 2010

TRI land + off-site releases concentrations are up 52% 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.

2471M metric tons CO₂e · +8% YoY · +130% since 2010

Greenhouse gases (GHGRP large emitters, through 2023) concentrations have more than doubled since 2010.

Top counties · TRI 2024

Texas Counties With Most Chemical Releases

Methodology →

CountyPopulationFacilitiesTotal releasesYoYTop chemical
Crane CountyFIPS 481034,636273.3M lb+18%Hydrogen sulfideHealth riskAcutely toxic at high concentrations (paralyzes the olfactory nerve, then respiratory failure); chronic low-level exposure causes eye and respiratory irritation. (NIOSH)
Harris CountyFIPS 482014,726,17729445.3M lb+5%MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)
Brazoria CountyFIPS 48039374,6005024.3M lb+2%AmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)
Calhoun CountyFIPS 4805720,127618.0M lb-16%AcetonitrileHealth riskMetabolizes to cyanide in the body; high exposure causes nausea, weakness, and respiratory effects. (ATSDR)
Nueces CountyFIPS 48355353,2452514.1M lb+22%Aluminum oxide (fibrous forms)Health riskFibrous forms can damage the lungs similar to other particulate dusts. (NIOSH)
Galveston CountyFIPS 48167350,8011911.0M lb+4%Hydrogen sulfideHealth riskAcutely toxic at high concentrations (paralyzes the olfactory nerve, then respiratory failure); chronic low-level exposure causes eye and respiratory irritation. (NIOSH)
Jefferson CountyFIPS 48245254,942529.7M lb+3%MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)
Kleberg CountyFIPS 4827330,86029.2M lb-6%n-HexaneHealth riskPeripheral neurotoxin. Chronic exposure causes numbness and paralysis in the extremities. (ATSDR)
Hutchinson CountyFIPS 4823320,59595.3M lb+70%AmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)
Harrison CountyFIPS 4820369,098153.8M lb-10%EthyleneHealth riskSimple asphyxiant at high concentrations; precursor to many polymers; low direct toxicity. (NIOSH)
Top facilities · TRI 2024

The Largest Individual Emitters In Texas

Methodology →

FacilityCityTop chemicalTotal releasesYoY
Midway Gas PlantTarga Resources CORPCraneHydrogen sulfideHealth riskAcutely toxic at high concentrations (paralyzes the olfactory nerve, then respiratory failure); chronic low-level exposure causes eye and respiratory irritation. (NIOSH)73.3M lb+74%
Ascend Performance Materials-Chocolate Bayou PlantAscend Performance Materials Holdings INCAlvinAmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)18.7M lb+1%
Ineos Nitriles USA LLC Green Lake PlantIneos US I INCPort LavacaAcetonitrileHealth riskMetabolizes to cyanide in the body; high exposure causes nausea, weakness, and respiratory effects. (ATSDR)14.8M lb-17%
Tm Deer Park Services LPTexas Molecular LPDeer ParkMethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)14.1M lb+4%
King Ranch Gas PlantEnergy Transfer LPKingsvillen-HexaneHealth riskPeripheral neurotoxin. Chronic exposure causes numbness and paralysis in the extremities. (ATSDR)9.2M lb-6%
US Ecology Texas INCRepublic Services INCRobstownAluminum oxide (fibrous forms)Health riskFibrous forms can damage the lungs similar to other particulate dusts. (NIOSH)9.0M lb+45%
Blanchard Refining CO LLCMarathon Petroleum CORPTexas CityHydrogen sulfideHealth riskAcutely toxic at high concentrations (paralyzes the olfactory nerve, then respiratory failure); chronic low-level exposure causes eye and respiratory irritation. (NIOSH)7.6M lb+12%
Oak Grove Steam Electric StationVistra CORPFranklinBarium 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)3.1M lb+97%
Lyondell Chemical COLyondellbasell Finance CoChannelviewMethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)3.0M lb-1%
Graphic Packaging International LLCGraphic Packaging Holding CoQueen CityMethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)3.0M lb+6%
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
North Alamo Wsc MunicipalTX1080029171,1952UNRESOLVED
City Of Midland Water Purification Plant MunicipalTX1650001157,00010UNRESOLVED
City Of Odessa MunicipalTX0680002123,3342UNRESOLVED
City Of Tyler MunicipalTX2120004107,0005UNRESOLVED
City Of San Angelo MunicipalTX2260001105,2299UNRESOLVED
City Of Edinburg MunicipalTX108000485,2243UNRESOLVED
City Of San Marcos MunicipalTX105000172,9701UNRESOLVED
City Of Pflugerville MunicipalTX227001463,46410UNRESOLVED
City Of Port Arthur MunicipalTX123000956,0395UNRESOLVED
City Of Texas City MunicipalTX084000854,3573UNRESOLVED
Superfund / NPL sites

Federal Cleanup Sites In Texas

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
Air Force Plant #4 (General Dynamics)Fort WorthNPL 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)
Alcoa (Point Comfort)/Lavaca BayPoint ComfortNPL FINALNoBenzo(B)Fluoranthene
Bandera Road Ground Water PlumeLeon ValleyNPL FINALNo1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
Brine Service CompanyCorpus ChristiNPL FINALNo3-Methylphenol (M-Cresol)
Circle Court Ground Water PlumeWillow ParkNPL FINALNoTrichloroetheneHealth 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)
City Of Perryton Well No. 2PerrytonNPL FINALNoAtrazine
Conroe Creosoting Co.ConroeNPL FINALNoNaphthaleneHealth riskIARC Group 2B possible carcinogen; causes hemolytic anemia, especially in infants. (IARC)
Crystal Chemical Co.HoustonNPL 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)
Delfasco ForgeGrand PrairieNPL FINALNo1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Donna Reservoir And Canal SystemDonnaNPL FINALNoPolychlorinated Biphenyls (Pcbs)Health riskPCBs. IARC Group 1 carcinogen; immune, reproductive, and neurological effects; bioaccumulate in fish and breast milk. Banned in 1979; persist as legacy contamination. (IARC, EPA)

Showing the top 10 sites by status priority. 60 additional NPL-relevant sites in Texas 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 Texas block groups: 29,145,505 residents. Statewide disparity score for pm2.5 (fine particulate) sits moderately above the reference (118). 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
13.9%

Low-income

POPULATION SHARE
59.9%

People of color

POPULATION SHARE
6.9%

Under age 5

POPULATION SHARE
12.9%

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.72above 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.70above 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.94in 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.55near 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.47near 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.61above 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.80above 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.53near 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.66above 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.84in 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.86in the highest 20% nationally
EJ disparity scores · population-weighted, all state block groups (100 = national reference; higher = greater disparate burden) · Methodology →
IndicatorDisparity scoreReading
PM2.5 (fine particulate)118moderately above the reference
Ozone81below the reference
Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)114moderately above the reference
Diesel particulate79below the reference
Toxic releases (RSEI)82below the reference
Traffic proximity84below the reference
Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing)51below the reference
Superfund site proximity39well below the reference
RMP-facility proximity112moderately above the reference
Hazardous-waste site proximity74below the reference
Underground storage tanks94near the reference
NPDES wastewater proximity76below the reference
Drinking-water non-compliance32well 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 166 Texas Counties With TRI Data

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

Sources.