Source: Lisa Sorg, NC POLICY WATCH, 1/18/21



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. The Toxics Release Inventory, administered by the EPA, collects data from industrial facilities for 770 chemicals. There are some data shortcomings: Not all toxic chemicals are included in the TRI and the data is self-reported. Nonetheless, the inventory can inform people about significant polluters in their communities.

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