Pollution Analyst
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State · TRI 2024

Virginia Pollution

331 TRI facilities, 1,052 public water systems, and 35 Superfund / NPL sites across 64 counties. Statewide TRI releases held roughly steady year over year (-0%). Toxic releases concentrations have fallen 41% since 2010.

FIPS 51 · population 8,631,393 · 133 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): 6 µg/m³.15 µg/m³'10'12'14'16'18'20'22'246 µg/m³
Anomaly engine

Notable Signals At The State Level

LONG-ARC IMPROVEMENT · LONG-ARC SHIFT

TRI air releases

TRI air releases at Virginia 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

Virginia 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.

6.41 µg/m³ · -22% 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.

15.12 µg/m³ · -42% YoY · -55% 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.

0.059 ppm · -9% YoY · -26% since 2010

Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max (NAAQS 0.070 ppm (8-hour)) concentrations have fallen 26% 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.

7.1 ppb · -2% YoY · -54% 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.

31.5 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.

1.55 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.

12.2M lb · +7% YoY · -56% 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.

13.1M lb · -6% 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.

6.1M lb · -1% YoY · -20% since 2010

TRI land + off-site releases concentrations have fallen 20% 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.

58M metric tons CO₂e · -5% YoY · -18% since 2010

Greenhouse gases (GHGRP large emitters, through 2023) concentrations have fallen 18% since 2010.

Top counties · TRI 2024

Virginia Counties With Most Chemical Releases

Methodology →

CountyPopulationFacilitiesTotal releasesYoYTop chemical
Montgomery CountyFIPS 5112199,373611.4M lb-6%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)
Petersburg (City)FIPS —878.7M lb+2%MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)
Buchanan CountyFIPS 5102720,24611.3M lb-1%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)
Isle of Wight CountyFIPS 5109338,89831.3M lb+33%MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)
King William CountyFIPS 5110117,84511.0M lb+1%MethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)
Chesterfield CountyFIPS 51041366,01917842k lb-41%AmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)
Henry CountyFIPS 5108950,76010744k lb+35%Ethylene glycolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested. Metabolizes to compounds that cause kidney failure. (EPA)
Shenandoah CountyFIPS 5117144,3373556k lb+26%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)
Hanover CountyFIPS 51085110,5137550k lb+22%AmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)
Campbell CountyFIPS 5103155,5184490k 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)
Top facilities · TRI 2024

The Largest Individual Emitters In Virginia

Methodology →

FacilityCityTop chemicalTotal releasesYoY
U.S. Army Radford Army Ammunition PlantUS Department Of DefenseRadfordNitrate 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)11.3M lb-6%
Westrock Virginia CorpSmurfit Westrock US Holding CoCovingtonMethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)2.2M lb+8%
Ashland Specialty Ingredients GpAshland LLCHopewellNitrate 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)1.5M lb+9%
Jewell Coke CO LPSuncoke Energy INCOakwoodHydrochloric 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)1.3M lb-1%
International Paper Franklin MillInternational Paper CoFranklinMethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)1.3M lb+33%
Advansix INC Hopewell PlantAdvansix INCHopewellAmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)1.0M lb+0%
Westrock Cp LLCSmurfit Westrock US Holding CoWest PointMethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)1.0M lb+1%
Griffin Pipe Products COQuikrete HoldingsLynchburgZinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR)937k lb-21%
Westrock Cp LLCSmurfit Westrock US Holding CoHopewellMethanolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested or inhaled. Metabolizes to formaldehyde and formic acid, causing blindness and metabolic acidosis. (EPA)832k lb-15%
Ball Metal Beverage Container CorpBall CORPWilliamsburgCertain glycol ethersHealth riskReproductive toxicants; some cause testicular damage and developmental harm. (EPA)563k lb+2%
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
Richmond, City Of MunicipalVA4760100229,3952UNRESOLVED
Danville, City Of MunicipalVA559010043,05513UNRESOLVED
Quantico Marine Base-Mainside FederalVA615367519,0005UNRESOLVED
Wilderness MunicipalVA613799913,27439UNRESOLVED
Wise County Regional Water System MunicipalVA119590011,5003UNRESOLVED
Greene County Water & Sewer MunicipalVA20796258,5002UNRESOLVED
Wytheville, Town Of MunicipalVA11978107,80411UNRESOLVED
Emporia, City Of MunicipalVA35952507,59473UNRESOLVED
Strasburg, Town Of MunicipalVA21717507,4106UNRESOLVED
Blackstone, Town Of MunicipalVA51351006,34516UNRESOLVED
Superfund / NPL sites

Federal Cleanup Sites In Virginia

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
Abex Corp.PortsmouthNPL FINALNoAntimonyHealth 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)
Arrowhead Associates, Inc./Scovill Corp.MontrossNPL FINALNo1,1,1-TrichloroethaneHealth riskMethyl chloroform. CNS depressant; ozone-depleting substance phased out under Montreal Protocol. EPA MCL 200 µg/L. (EPA, ATSDR)
Atlantic Wood Industries, Inc.PortsmouthNPL FINALNoPentachlorophenolHealth riskIARC Group 1 carcinogen; wood preservative; persistent in soil and groundwater. (IARC, EPA)
Avtex Fibers, Inc.Front RoyalNPL 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)
Buckingham County LandfillBuckinghamNPL FINALNo1,1,1-TrichloroethaneHealth riskMethyl chloroform. CNS depressant; ozone-depleting substance phased out under Montreal Protocol. EPA MCL 200 µg/L. (EPA, ATSDR)
Chisman CreekYork CountyNPL 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)
Culpeper Wood Preservers, Inc.CulpeperNPL FINALNo—
Defense General Supply Center (Dla)BellwoodNPL FINALFEDERALArsenicHealth 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)
Former Nansemond Ordnance DepotSuffolkNPL FINALNoAluminumHealth riskInhaled aluminum fumes can cause lung scarring (aluminosis); high cumulative exposure has been linked to neurological effects. (NIOSH)
Fort Eustis (Us Army)Newport NewsNPL FINALFEDERALArsenicHealth 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)

Showing the top 10 sites by status priority. 25 additional NPL-relevant sites in Virginia 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 Virginia block groups: 8,631,393 residents. Statewide disparity score for pm2.5 (fine particulate) sits well below the reference (20). 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
10.0%

Low-income

POPULATION SHARE
40.0%

People of color

POPULATION SHARE
5.9%

Under age 5

POPULATION SHARE
16.0%

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.15below the national median
  • OzoneHealth riskGround-level ozone (smog) inflames the airways. Even short exposures trigger asthma attacks and worsen chronic lung and heart disease.16below 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.37below 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.48near 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.85in 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.56near 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.54near 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.74above 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.47near 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.49near 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.63above 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.98in the highest 5% 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.77above 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)20well below the reference
Ozone37well below the reference
Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)49well below the reference
Diesel particulate57below the reference
Toxic releases (RSEI)48well below the reference
Traffic proximity57below the reference
Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing)47well below the reference
Superfund site proximity37well below the reference
RMP-facility proximity36well below the reference
Hazardous-waste site proximity47well below the reference
Underground storage tanks61below the reference
NPDES wastewater proximity57below the reference
Drinking-water non-compliance2well 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 64 Virginia Counties With TRI Data

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

Sources.