Toxics Release Inventory
New EPA data shows NC released 59 million pounds of toxic chemicals in 2021, ranks 17th in US
More than 59 million pounds of toxic chemicals were released into the environment in North Carolina in 2021, according to new EPA data, the largest amount since 2015. Averaged across the state, that amount is equivalent to 1,046 pounds per square mile. The 2021 “Toxics Release Inventory” tracks discharges and emissions of nearly 800 harmful […]
Industry released 39 million pounds of pollution into the environment last year, most of it into the air
North Carolina industry released the least amount of air pollution last year — 21.5 million pounds — since 2003, according to federal data released last week. Releases to land were also at 16-year lows, but discharges to waterways — 8.1 million pounds — were the highest since 2015. Releases for air, land and water totaled 39 million pounds.
Not-so-clean North Carolina generated 501.4 million pounds of chemical waste in 2018
North Carolina’s industrial facilities emit or discharge an average of more than a half-ton of pollution per square mile, which places the state among the top third nationwide based on that measurement. With 1,022 pounds per square mile, North Carolina is ranked 19th of 56 states and US territories, according to recent Toxics Release Inventory […]
Kids’ brains can be damaged when schools are near factories, major pollution sources
A study of Florida public schools, found that children who are exposed to air pollution are more likely to score lower on tests and to be suspended from school. In addition, a school’s overall accountability ranking is more likely to drop. The findings were recently released in a peer-reviewed paper by researchers Claudia Persico of […]