New Hanover County, NC

ZIP 28401

In ZIP 28401, 7 of the 12 things we check have at least one part graded D or F.

• Drinking water: Pender County Utilities meets every EPA legal limit; 12 contaminants are above health goals, led by lead at 43× California’s Public Health Goal.
• Nearest Superfund site: Horton Iron and Metal, 3.0 miles away (3 within 10 miles).
• Largest share of modeled toxic air from industry: Elementis Chromium Inc (87%), mostly chromium compounds.
• Fine particles (PM2.5) average 6.8 µg/m³; the WHO guideline is 5 and the EPA annual standard is 9.
• About 133,006 kg of agricultural pesticides are applied in the county each year.

Grades for ZIP 28401

• Superfund sites nearbyD to F
• Factories and industrial sitesC to D
• Oil and gas wellsA
• Parks and nature nearbyB to F
• Air qualityA to B
• Drinking water qualityD to F
• Pesticide useB to F
• Neighborhood health statusC to F
• Past wildfire impactsA
• Past flood impactsC
• Noise levelsA to D
• Radiation signalsB

Based on 14 census tracts · compiled September 10, 2026 · how each grade works and its sources

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