Essex County, MA

ZIP 01860

In ZIP 01860, 3 of the 12 things we check have at least one part graded D or F.

• Drinking water: Merrimac Water Department meets every EPA legal limit; 11 contaminants are above health goals, led by pfos at 1.1× California’s Public Health Goal.
• Nearest Superfund site: Microfab Inc (former), 2.4 miles away (3 within 10 miles).
• Largest share of modeled toxic air from industry: Union Specialties Inc (54%), mostly hydrazine.
• Fine particles (PM2.5) average 5.7 µg/m³; the WHO guideline is 5 and the EPA annual standard is 9.
• About 21,474 kg of agricultural pesticides are applied in the county each year.

Grades for ZIP 01860

• Superfund sites nearbyF
• Factories and industrial sitesC
• Oil and gas wellsA
• Parks and nature nearbyC
• Air qualityA
• Drinking water qualityD
• Pesticide useC
• Neighborhood health statusC
• Past wildfire impactsA
• Past flood impactsC
• Noise levelsA
• Radiation signalsD

Based on 1 census tract · compiled September 10, 2026 · how each grade works and its sources

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