Environmental Risk by State

Alabama faces environmental challenges from industrial operations, particularly in the Birmingham steel corridor and Mobile port area. Air quality varies significantly between rural areas and industrial zones.

2 cities covered

Alaska boasts some of the cleanest air and water in the United States, with vast wilderness areas and minimal industrial pollution. Environmental concerns center on oil industry operations and climate change impacts.

2 cities covered

Arizona faces environmental challenges from extreme heat, dust storms, and water scarcity in its desert climate. Air quality is impacted by particulate matter from dust and vehicle emissions in the Phoenix metro area.

3 cities covered

Arkansas has a moderate environmental profile with generally good air quality. Environmental concerns include agricultural runoff affecting water quality and flood risk along the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers.

1 city covered

California faces diverse environmental challenges including wildfire smoke, vehicle emissions, and drought. The Central Valley has some of the worst air quality in the nation, while coastal areas generally fare better.

13 cities covered

Colorado enjoys generally good environmental quality with clean mountain air, though the Denver metro area faces ozone challenges. Mining legacy has left contamination at several sites across the state.

3 cities covered

Connecticut has moderate environmental quality with legacy industrial contamination in several cities. Long Island Sound water quality has improved significantly due to cleanup efforts.

1 city covered

Delaware faces environmental concerns from the chemical industry corridor and agricultural runoff. Coastal flood risk is increasing due to sea level rise along the Delaware Bay.

1 city covered

Washington D.C. faces urban air quality challenges from vehicle emissions and aging water infrastructure. The Anacostia River cleanup and lead service line replacement are ongoing priorities.

1 city covered

Florida faces significant environmental risks from hurricanes, flooding, and red tide events. Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities, while agricultural runoff impacts water quality in the Everglades.

4 cities covered

Georgia has moderate environmental quality with urban air pollution concentrated in the Atlanta metro area. Industrial sites and military bases have contributed to groundwater contamination in several areas.

1 city covered

Hawaii generally has excellent air quality due to ocean winds, though volcanic activity can impact air quality on the Big Island. Water quality is generally good but aging infrastructure is a concern.

1 city covered

Idaho has generally good environmental quality with clean air and water in most areas. Mining legacy has left contamination at sites in the Silver Valley and other mining districts.

1 city covered

Illinois faces environmental challenges from heavy industry and agriculture. Chicago air quality is impacted by vehicle emissions, while agricultural runoff affects water quality across the state.

1 city covered

Indiana has moderate environmental quality with industrial pollution concentrated around Indianapolis and the northwest industrial corridor near Chicago.

1 city covered

Iowa faces water quality challenges from agricultural runoff, particularly nitrate contamination. Air quality is generally good, and the state is a leader in wind energy production.

1 city covered

Kansas has moderate environmental quality with agricultural impacts on water resources. Oil and gas production has left contamination at some sites across the state.

1 city covered

Kentucky faces environmental challenges from coal mining legacy and industrial operations. Water quality is impacted by mining drainage in eastern Kentucky.

2 cities covered

Louisiana faces significant environmental challenges from the petrochemical industry corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Hurricane and flood risk is among the highest in the nation.

2 cities covered

Maine has excellent environmental quality with clean air and water across most of the state. PFAS contamination from agricultural applications is an emerging concern.

1 city covered

Maryland faces urban environmental challenges in the Baltimore area and Chesapeake Bay water quality issues. Industrial legacy has left contamination at numerous sites.

1 city covered

Massachusetts has made significant environmental improvements but faces legacy contamination in industrial cities. Coastal flood risk is increasing with sea level rise.

1 city covered

Michigan faces environmental challenges from automotive industry legacy and aging water infrastructure. The Flint water crisis highlighted systemic issues with water quality management.

1 city covered

Minnesota has generally good environmental quality with clean air. Water quality is impacted by mining operations on the Iron Range and agricultural runoff in southern regions.

2 cities covered

Mississippi faces environmental challenges from industrial operations and agricultural runoff. Hurricane risk along the Gulf Coast adds to environmental vulnerability.

1 city covered

Missouri has moderate environmental quality with urban challenges in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas. Lead mining legacy has impacted soil and water in southeastern Missouri.

2 cities covered

Montana has generally excellent air quality with environmental concerns focused on mining contamination at sites like the Berkeley Pit in Butte.

1 city covered

Nebraska has moderate environmental quality with agricultural impacts on water resources. Groundwater contamination from agricultural chemicals is a concern in farming regions.

2 cities covered

Nevada faces environmental challenges from extreme heat, mining operations, and water scarcity. Las Vegas has worked to improve air quality while managing rapid growth.

1 city covered

New Hampshire has generally good environmental quality with clean air and water. PFAS contamination has been identified at several sites across the state.

1 city covered

New Jersey faces significant environmental challenges from industrial legacy and high population density. The state has more Superfund sites than any other state.

1 city covered

New Mexico faces environmental challenges from mining, nuclear testing legacy, and water scarcity. Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories have contributed to radioactive contamination concerns.

1 city covered

New York faces diverse environmental challenges from urban pollution in New York City to industrial contamination along the Hudson Valley and Great Lakes region.

2 cities covered

North Carolina has moderate environmental quality with industrial impacts in the Piedmont region. Coal ash contamination and PFAS from military bases are ongoing concerns.

3 cities covered

North Dakota has generally good environmental quality with challenges from oil production in the Bakken formation region.

1 city covered

Ohio faces environmental challenges from heavy industry and manufacturing legacy. Cleveland has worked to improve Lake Erie water quality after decades of industrial pollution.

3 cities covered

Oklahoma faces environmental challenges from oil and gas production and increasing earthquake activity. Tornado risk adds to overall environmental vulnerability.

2 cities covered

Oregon generally has good environmental quality, though Portland faces urban air quality challenges and wildfire smoke has become a seasonal concern.

1 city covered

Pennsylvania faces environmental challenges from coal mining and industrial legacy, particularly in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas.

2 cities covered

Rhode Island faces environmental challenges from legacy industrial contamination and Narragansett Bay water quality issues.

1 city covered

South Carolina has moderate environmental quality with hurricane and flood risk along the coast. Military installations and industrial sites contribute to contamination concerns.

1 city covered

South Dakota has generally good environmental quality with environmental concerns centered on agricultural impacts and abandoned uranium mines.

1 city covered

Tennessee has moderate environmental quality with industrial impacts along the Tennessee River valley. Coal ash storage failures have highlighted environmental management challenges.

2 cities covered

Texas faces diverse environmental challenges from the petrochemical industry along the Gulf Coast, urban sprawl, and hurricane risk. Some communities face significant industrial pollution.

9 cities covered

Utah faces air quality challenges in the Salt Lake City valley due to winter inversions and the Great Salt Lake drying. Mining legacy has left contamination at several sites.

1 city covered

Vermont has excellent environmental quality with clean air and water. Lake Champlain water quality from agricultural runoff is the primary environmental concern.

1 city covered

Virginia has moderate environmental quality with concerns ranging from coal country contamination to coastal flood risk in Hampton Roads.

1 city covered

Washington has generally good environmental quality, though the Hanford nuclear site is the most contaminated place in the Western Hemisphere. Seattle air quality is impacted by wildfire smoke.

1 city covered

West Virginia faces significant environmental challenges from coal mining legacy, including acid mine drainage and mountaintop removal impacts.

1 city covered

Wisconsin has moderate environmental quality with concerns about PFAS contamination and aging lead water service lines, particularly in Milwaukee.

1 city covered

Wyoming has excellent air quality in most areas but faces challenges from energy production, including coal, oil, and natural gas operations.

1 city covered