Section 6: Chemicals of Special Concern

Air Releases of Lead and Lead Compounds

Air releases of lead and lead compounds have decreased by 35% since 2003. This decrease has been driven by electric utilities and metal mines – both sectors have decreased air releases of lead and lead compounds by more than 65%. The sector with the greatest quantity of lead and lead compound air releases is the primary metals sector, which includes iron and steel manufacturers, steel product manufacturers, metal production and processing, and foundries. In 2013, primary metals facilities accounted for almost 60% of air releases of lead and lead compounds. Air releases of lead and lead compounds have increased since 2011 due to large increases in air releases at a textile mill and a lead smelter.

This page was published in January 2015 and uses the 2013 TRI National Analysis dataset made public in TRI Explorer in October 2014.