Union County, NC

ZIP 28173

In ZIP 28173, 6 of the 12 things we check have at least one part graded D or F.

• Drinking water: Union County Water System has 2 contaminants at or over an EPA legal limit; 13 contaminants are above health goals, led by lead at 166× California’s Public Health Goal.
• Nearest Superfund site: Leonard Chemical Co., Inc., 9.8 miles away.
• Largest share of modeled toxic air from industry: Jim Myers & Sons Inc (48%), mostly chromium.
• Fine particles (PM2.5) average 7.9 µg/m³; the WHO guideline is 5 and the EPA annual standard is 9.
• About 172,508 kg of agricultural pesticides are applied in the county each year.

Grades for ZIP 28173

• Superfund sites nearbyA to C
• Factories and industrial sitesB to D
• Oil and gas wellsA
• Parks and nature nearbyC to D
• Air qualityB to D
• Drinking water qualityD to F
• Pesticide useD to F
• Neighborhood health statusA to D
• Past wildfire impactsA
• Past flood impactsC
• Noise levelsA
• Radiation signalsB to C

Based on 15 census tracts · compiled September 10, 2026 · how each grade works and its sources

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