Most recent EPA data shows Sullivan County's biggest pollution sources

Industrial facilities in Sullivan County released almost 4 million pounds of chemicals into the local environment in 2024. The county ranked second across the state for chemical releases reported to the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory in 2024, the most recent data available through the inventory. Out of the 4 million pounds of pollution reported by industrial facilities, about 43% was released into the air, almost 29% was released to water and 22% to land. The remaining toxic chemicals, about 6%, were released off-site. Industries are required to report how chemicals are managed and their releases to the Toxics Release Inventory. The inventory tracks the management of chemicals that could pose a threat to human health or the environment. The biggest industrial polluter in the county was Eastman Chemical Co., which produces chemicals, fibers and plastics. The amount of chemicals released by the facility dwarfed the other 13 facilities in the county that were required to report data to the Toxics Release Inventory. The company reported 3.6 million pounds of releases at its Kingsport site — 95.7% of the total air, water and land emissions reported in Sullivan County. Out of all the chemicals released, Eastman released almost 1.6 million pounds of air emissions, discharged 1.15 million pounds to water and 881,000 pounds to land. The company's combined release numbers are slightly higher than the year prior but about 3 million pounds lower compared to 2015. Domtar Corp., which recycles containerboard, and Bristol Metals, now Bristol Pipe and Tube, which manufactures stainless steel pipes, followed second and third after Eastman in total amounts of toxic chemicals reported — however, most of the toxic chemicals Domtar and Bristol Metals reported were disposed of off-site. Microporous LLC, which manufactures rubber and plastic battery mats used in lead acid batteries, was the second-highest emitter of air pollutants at 93,300 pounds in 2024. CHEMICALS All chemicals that made up the bulk of pollution in 2024 have possible health effects, including respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hematological or renal effects, according to the Toxic Releases Inventory. More than 34% of air emissions in 2024 were methanol, which can have possible neurological, hepatic or developmental effects, the inventory states. More than half of water discharges — 66% — were nitrate compounds, which can have developmental or hematological health effects. Chromium and chromium compounds made up 33% of land pollutants, with barium and barium compounds following behind at almost 27%. Chromium compounds are a known human carcinogen. It made up about 7.5% of all chemicals released throughout the year — air, water or land. Barium compounds made up about 5.9% of emissions throughout the year. The chemical released in the county with the highest health hazard, according to EPA screening-model assessments, is arsenic compounds. A total 60,300 pounds of arsenic compounds were released in 2024, about 1.5% of all the chemicals released throughout the year. Reported data also shows that total toxic chemical releases in Sullivan County have decreased by almost 50% over the last 10 years. COMPLIANCE The EPA's Toxics Release Inventory also notes facility compliance with environmental laws, like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, the federal laws regulating air and water pollution. Out of all facilities in Sullivan County, Eastman has the most environmental law violations identified by the EPA. The Kingsport site has violated the federal Clean Air Act 12 times and the Clean Water Act five times throughout the last three years. Domtar has the second-most violations of environmental law out of all Sullivan County facilities, with four Clean Air Act and six Clean Water Act violations over the last three years. The Primester GP, which produces cellulose acetate, had the third-most violations in the county with two Clean Air Act violations over the last three years. HAZARD The EPA also provides a screening-level calculation — Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) — to determine how released chemicals could contribute to human health risk. The measure is not indicative of a public health risk. It's meant to help communities learn more about chemicals managed at neighboring facilities and can "help establish priorities for further investigation," according to the EPA. The measure includes factors like the degree of toxicity of certain chemicals released and how many people could be exposed. The RSEI is not indicative of whether or not a facility is in compliance with environmental regulations. "A more refined or site-specific assessment should be conducted before any conclusions about potential health impacts can be determined," the EPA states about RSEI measurements. The facility with the highest RSEI Hazard in 2024 was Eastman Chemical Co. The second highest was Bristol Metals. The third is the Tri-City Extrusion Plant, an extrusion manufacturing plant that shapes aluminum products. Bristol Metals and the Tri-City Extrusion Plant both implemented pollution prevention practices in 2024 to reduce source pollution. Bristol Metals created a waste production plan that would apply to six chemicals. Tri-City Extrusion Plant reported making adjustments to its inventory and material management, which would apply to five chemicals and their compounds. Eastman did not report implementing source reduction practices. Modern Forge Tennessee, a forged parts manufacturer, also made changes to its process that reduced smokestack emissions. The total RSEI Hazard calculation for 2024 decreased slightly compared to 2023. Sullivan County is the county with the second-most chemical releases in the state at 4.03 million pounds, following Humphreys County, which released 10.7 million in 2024. Jorgelina Manna-Rea is a Report for America corps member reporting on issues relating to the environment for Six Rivers Media.