New Hanover County, NC

ZIP 28409

In ZIP 28409, 4 of the 12 things we check have at least one part graded D or F.

• Drinking water: Cfpua-Wilmington meets every EPA legal limit; 17 contaminants are above health goals, led by lead at 273× California’s Public Health Goal.
• Nearest Superfund site: New Hanover Cnty Airport Burn Pit, 5.7 miles away (3 within 10 miles).
• Largest share of modeled toxic air from industry: Elementis Chromium Inc (77%), mostly chromium compounds.
• Fine particles (PM2.5) average 6.9 µg/m³; the WHO guideline is 5 and the EPA annual standard is 9.
• About 3,387 kg of agricultural pesticides are applied in the county each year.

Grades for ZIP 28409

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

Based on 9 census tracts · compiled September 10, 2026 · how each grade works and its sources

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