State · TRI 2024
Vermont Pollution
28 TRI facilities, 377 public water systems, and 14 Superfund / NPL sites across 10 counties. Statewide TRI releases rose modestly year over year (+10%). Toxic releases concentrations are up 23% since 2010.
FIPS 50 · population 643,077 · 14 counties total
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
Vermont 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 41% 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 42% 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 14% 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 are up 58% 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 are roughly unchanged from 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 39% 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 fallen 16% since 2010.
| County | Population | Facilities | Total releases | YoY | Top chemical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chittenden CountyFIPS 50007 | 168,309 | 4 | 181k lb | +16% | 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) |
| Rutland CountyFIPS 50021 | 60,585 | 5 | 56k lb | -5% | Nickel And Nickel CompoundsHealth riskNickel compounds are IARC Group 1 carcinogens; inhalation exposure raises lung and nasal cancer risk. (IARC) |
| Addison CountyFIPS 50001 | 37,434 | 3 | 42k lb | -2% | 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) |
| Windham CountyFIPS 50025 | 45,857 | 3 | 23k lb | +4% | Zinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR) |
| Franklin CountyFIPS 50011 | 50,101 | 5 | 14k 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) |
| Caledonia CountyFIPS 50005 | 30,418 | 2 | 12k lb | +35% | StyreneHealth riskIARC Group 2A probable carcinogen; central-nervous-system effects from inhalation. (IARC, EPA) |
| Bennington CountyFIPS 50003 | 37,326 | 1 | 11k lb | -3% | Ethylene glycolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested. Metabolizes to compounds that cause kidney failure. (EPA) |
| Orleans CountyFIPS 50019 | 27,459 | 2 | 154 lb | +341% | Polycyclic aromatic compoundsHealth riskPAH class includes IARC Group 1 carcinogens (e.g., benzo[a]pyrene); long-term exposure raises cancer risk. (IARC, EPA) |
| Washington CountyFIPS 50023 | 59,768 | 2 | 14 lb | +37% | Nitric acidHealth riskStrong corrosive irritant to skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract. (NIOSH) |
| Essex CountyFIPS 50009 | 5,976 | 1 | 6 lb | +93% | Lead And Lead CompoundsHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR) |
| Facility | City | Top chemical | Total releases | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Globalfoundries U.S. 2 LLC - Vermont FacilityGlobalfoundries US INC | Essex Junction | 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) | 151k lb | +17% |
| Agri-Mark INCAgri-Mark INC | Middlebury | 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) | 42k lb | -2% |
| Ge Aerospace Plant 2General Electric Co (Ge Co) | North Clarendon | Nickel And Nickel CompoundsHealth riskNickel compounds are IARC Group 1 carcinogens; inhalation exposure raises lung and nasal cancer risk. (IARC) | 35k lb | +35% |
| U.S. Army National Guard Ethan Allen Firing RangeUS Department Of Defense | Jericho | CopperHealth riskInhaled copper fumes cause metal-fume fever; chronic ingestion above EPA's 1.3 mg/L action level damages the liver. (EPA) | 30k lb | +12% |
| Garware Fulflex USA INC. | Brattleboro | Zinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR) | 22k lb | +4% |
| Ge Aerospace Plant 1General Electric Co (Ge Co) | Rutland | NickelHealth riskNickel compounds are IARC Group 1 carcinogens; inhalation exposure raises lung and nasal cancer risk. (IARC) | 18k lb | -39% |
| Weidmann Electrical Technology INCWicor Americas INC | Saint Johnsbury | StyreneHealth riskIARC Group 2A probable carcinogen; central-nervous-system effects from inhalation. (IARC, EPA) | 12k lb | +35% |
| Tansitor Electronics INCVishay Intertechnology INC | Bennington | Ethylene glycolHealth riskAcutely toxic if ingested. Metabolizes to compounds that cause kidney failure. (EPA) | 11k lb | -3% |
| St Albans Creamery LLCDairy Farmers Of America INC | Saint Albans | 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) | 8k lb | +5% |
| Franklin FoodsFranklin Foods INC | Enosburg 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) | 5k lb | — |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutland City Water Dept Municipal | VT0005229 | 18,500 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
| St Albans Water Dept Municipal | VT0005130 | 10,200 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
| Winhall Stratton F D 1 Municipal | VT0005305 | 6,200 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
| Edward Farrar Utility District Municipal | VT0005284 | 6,003 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
| Royalton Fire District 1 Municipal | VT0005330 | 1,500 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
| Montgomery Water System Municipal | VT0005125 | 530 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
| South Village Private | VT0005593 | 445 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
| Danby Mount Tabor F D 1 Municipal | VT0005217 | 385 | 2 | UNRESOLVED |
| Meadows - Gables I Water System Private | VT0021053 | 310 | 4 | UNRESOLVED |
| South Alburgh Fire District 2 Municipal | VT0020964 | 300 | 1 | UNRESOLVED |
Superfund / NPL sites
Federal Cleanup Sites In Vermont
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennington Municipal Sanitary Landfill | Bennington | 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) |
| Bfi Sanitary Landfill (Rockingham) | Rockingham | NPL FINAL | No | 2-Butanone (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) |
| Burgess Brothers Landfill | Woodford | NPL FINAL | No | 1,1-DichloroetheneHealth riskVinylidene chloride; IARC Group 3 (inadequate evidence in humans) but liver toxic in animal studies; common TCE/PCE biodegradation product. (IARC, EPA) |
| Commerce Street Plume | Williston | 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) |
| Elizabeth Mine | Strafford | NPL FINAL | No | LeadHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR) |
| Ely Copper Mine | Vershire | NPL FINAL | No | AluminumHealth riskInhaled aluminum fumes can cause lung scarring (aluminosis); high cumulative exposure has been linked to neurological effects. (NIOSH) |
| Jard Company, Inc. | Bennington | NPL FINAL | No | — |
| Old Springfield Landfill | Springfield | NPL FINAL | No | 1,1-DichloroetheneHealth riskVinylidene chloride; IARC Group 3 (inadequate evidence in humans) but liver toxic in animal studies; common TCE/PCE biodegradation product. (IARC, EPA) |
| Parker Sanitary Landfill | Lyndon | 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) |
| Pike Hill Copper Mine | Corinth | NPL FINAL | No | — |
Showing the top 10 sites by status priority. 4 additional NPL-relevant sites in Vermont 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 Vermont block groups: 643,077 residents. Statewide disparity score for pm2.5 (fine particulate) sits well below the reference (4). 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.
10.4%
Low-income
8.6%
People of color
5.0%
Under age 5
20.3%
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.4below the national median
- OzoneHealth riskGround-level ozone (smog) inflames the airways. Even short exposures trigger asthma attacks and worsen chronic lung and heart disease.8below 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.23below 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.11below 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.10below 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.25below 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.69above 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.70above 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.35below 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.43near 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.77above 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.58near 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) | 4 | well below the reference |
| Ozone | 15 | well below the reference |
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) | 21 | well below the reference |
| Diesel particulate | 12 | well below the reference |
| Toxic releases (RSEI) | 6 | well below the reference |
| Traffic proximity | 17 | well below the reference |
| Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing) | 45 | well below the reference |
| Superfund site proximity | 22 | well below the reference |
| RMP-facility proximity | 10 | well below the reference |
| Hazardous-waste site proximity | 24 | well below the reference |
| Underground storage tanks | 41 | well below the reference |
| NPDES wastewater proximity | 18 | well below the reference |
| Drinking-water non-compliance | 13 | 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 10 Vermont Counties With TRI Data
Pollution trends and TRI 2024 pages for every tracked county. Alphabetical.
- Addison County pollution· 3 facilities
- Bennington County pollution· 1 facility
- Caledonia County pollution· 2 facilities
- Chittenden County pollution· 4 facilities
- Essex County pollution· 1 facility
- Franklin County pollution· 5 facilities
- Orleans County pollution· 2 facilities
- Rutland County pollution· 5 facilities
- Washington County pollution· 2 facilities
- Windham County pollution· 3 facilities
Sources.
- EPA Toxics Release Inventory · retrieved 2026-05-07.