Howard County, MD

ZIP 21046

In ZIP 21046, 7 of the 12 things we check have at least one part graded D or F.

• Drinking water: Howard County D.p.w. Distribution meets every EPA legal limit; 7 contaminants are above health goals, led by bromodichloromethane at 159× California’s Public Health Goal.
• Nearest Superfund site: Fort George G. Meade, 7.2 miles away (3 within 10 miles).
• Largest share of modeled toxic air from industry: Elite Spice Inc. (49%), mostly ethylene oxide.
• Fine particles (PM2.5) average 8.8 µg/m³; the WHO guideline is 5 and the EPA annual standard is 9.
• About 35,799 kg of agricultural pesticides are applied in the county each year.

Grades for ZIP 21046

• Superfund sites nearbyC to D
• Factories and industrial sitesD
• Oil and gas wellsA
• Parks and nature nearbyD
• Air qualityC to F
• Drinking water qualityC
• Pesticide useD
• Neighborhood health statusB to C
• Past wildfire impactsA
• Past flood impactsB to C
• Noise levelsA to D
• Radiation signalsC to D

Based on 4 census tracts · compiled September 10, 2026 · how each grade works and its sources

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