Lexington, KY 40502
Environmental Risk Assessment • Population: 322,570
Risk Factor Breakdown
Air Quality
Air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no risk.
Water Quality
Flood Risk
This area faces significant flood risk. Flood insurance is strongly recommended. Have an evacuation plan ready.
Toxic Sites
Very few hazardous waste sites in this area. This is a positive indicator for local environmental health.
Environmental Profile: Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky has good air quality with an AQI of 48. Water quality scores 39/100 with 628 health-based violations recorded. The area has 0 toxic release inventory sites. Flood risk is very high based on FEMA disaster history.
What This Means For You
Lexington has received an overall environmental risk score of 55/100 (Fair). This means that the area has significant environmental challenges that can affect residents' health and quality of life.
The air quality in Lexington is rated Good with an AQI of 48, primarily driven by PM2.5 pollution. Water quality scores 39 out of 100, with 628 reported violations and detected contaminants including Disinfection Byproducts, Nitrate.
Flood risk is classified as Very High (A - High-Risk Flood Zone), and there are 0 Superfund sites and 0 Toxics Release Inventory facilities in the area.
How to Protect Yourself in Lexington
- ✓Air quality is generally acceptable, but monitor AirNow.gov during seasonal events like wildfires or heat waves.
- ✓Consider installing of a certified water filter. Lexington water has had 628 violations.
- ✓Have your tap water independently tested, especially for lead if your home has older plumbing.
- ✓Read the annual Consumer Confidence Report from your water utility.
- ✓Purchase flood insurance even if not required — standard homeowner insurance does not cover floods.
- ✓Create an emergency evacuation plan with designated meeting points and essential documents in a go-bag.
- ✓Check your specific property flood zone at msc.fema.gov — Lexington is in A - High-Risk Flood Zone.
Other Cities in Kentucky
Disclaimer: Environmental risk data is compiled from public U.S. government sources (EPA, FEMA) for informational purposes only. Risk scores are estimates and should not replace professional environmental assessments, real estate evaluations, or health consultations. Always consult local authorities and certified professionals for site-specific evaluations. For environmental emergencies, call 911 or the EPA National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. See our Terms of Service for more details.