Haywood County, NC

ZIP 28786

In ZIP 28786, 8 of the 12 things we check have at least one part graded D or F.

• Drinking water: Smoky Mtn Retreat-Eagle`s Nest meets every EPA legal limit; 5 contaminants are above health goals, led by lead at 35× California’s Public Health Goal.
• Nearest Superfund site: Barber Orchard, 3.2 miles away (2 within 10 miles).
• Largest share of modeled toxic air from industry: Blue Ridge Paper Products LLC (99%), mostly hydrogen sulfide.
• Fine particles (PM2.5) average 5.8 µg/m³; the WHO guideline is 5 and the EPA annual standard is 9.
• About 39,994 kg of agricultural pesticides are applied in the county each year.

Grades for ZIP 28786

• Superfund sites nearbyA to F
• Factories and industrial sitesA to D
• Oil and gas wellsA
• Parks and nature nearbyB to D
• Air qualityA
• Drinking water qualityD to F
• Pesticide useD to F
• Neighborhood health statusC to F
• Past wildfire impactsA
• Past flood impactsB to C
• Noise levelsA to D
• Radiation signalsC to D

Based on 12 census tracts · compiled September 10, 2026 · how each grade works and its sources

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