Environment

Pollution and Wastes

Which industries release the most toxic chemicals?

The metal mining industry released the most toxic chemicals for the year 2008, accounting for 30 percent of total chemical releases.

In dustry Total Releases (pounds) Percent of Total
Metal mining 1,157,710,105 30
Electric utilities 905,697,596 23
Chemicals 452,245,439 12
Primary metals 440,462,686 11
Paper 186,356,909 5
Hazardous waste/solvent 168,601,834 4
Food 167,223,768 4
All others 538,718,584 11