Annual Emissions Inventory Report (2020)

Know where polluters are, what they are emitting and how it impacts you.

What & Why?

Every year, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality releases data for annual emissions by source of pollution by County. This data is not widely distributed, mapped, or otherwise made accessible to the public. This report seeks to make that data usable for the public to better understand where polluters are, what they are emitting and how that pollution impacts them.

Changes Since Last Year's Report?

We first released this report last year using the 2019 emissions numbers. We want to highlight a few differences and similarities in the data since last year:

  1. GAF Asphalt Shingle Factory in West Dallas became 2nd largest source of PM2.5 pollution in Dallas County in 2020, up from 5th largest in 2019 with an increase of almost 6 Tons Per Year reportedly emitted. Asphalt Shingle production from three facilities (GAF, TAMKO and Owens Corning) in Dallas County account for 67% of the total SOx pollution emitted in Dallas County. TAMKO and GAF are both located in the City of Dallas in Communities of Color Joppa and West Dallas.
  2. City of Dallas McCommas Bluff Landfill is still the largest source of PM10 pollution in Dallas County. However, reported emissions decreased between 2019 and 2020 by over 60 Tons Per Year. PM2.5 emissions did increase between 2019 and 2020 by over 35 Tons Per Year. The landfill is also located in the City of Dallas' Floral Farms neighborhood, most recently well known due to the illegal "Shingle Mountain" dump.
  3. Midlothian's Holcim Cement plant is still the largest source of total pollution emitted in the 10 county nonattainment area. They emitted a staggering 7,952.6 Tons Per Year in 2019 and reduced slightly 7,569.4 Tons Per Year in 2020.

Maps Included

We will provide maps of the Top Polluters per county, a breakdown of Top 20 Polluters by pollutant type (VOC, PM, SO2 etc.) across the 10-county area, a DFW "Dirty 30" of the biggest 30 total polluters in the 10 county area, and a deep dive of Dallas County by pollution types. If you would like to use the datasets for other research purposes please contact: emayo@pqc.edu.

10 County Nonattainment Area. Source: NCTCOG.

Counties included are the 10 counties that have been in "Nonattainment" or out of compliance, with federal clean air laws for several years: Dallas, Tarrant, Ellis, Parker, Denton, Wise, Rockwall, Kaufman, Johnson and Collin.

Our Community: Dallas County

Because Paul Quinn College is located in Southern Dallas County, we want to specifically highlight the polluters in our neighborhood. This map of Dallas County below shows the top 20 biggest polluters. You can click on one of the spots, and it will give you the amount of each specific type of pollution and provide the name of the company responsible. This year, we also are including a deeper dive into the top polluters by type of pollution for Dallas County.

If you smell, taste, or see pollution in your neighborhood,   reach out  . We can help train your neighborhood on how to document your complaints with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, making 311 complaints with the City of Dallas or find other ways to keep your family safe and heathy.

#1 Mountain Creek Power Station

#2 Luminant Generation Company

#3 Dal-Tile Corporation

#4 Building Materials Investment (GAF)

#5 Texas Instruments Incorporated

#1 Dolco Packaging (Tekni-Plex Inc)

#2 Texas Instruments Incorporated

#3 Hensley Industries (Dallas Plant)

#4 Motiva Enterprises

#5 TAMKO Building Products

#1 Sunnyvale Manufacturing Plant

#2 Mountain Creek Power Station

#3 Luminant Generation Company

#4 Westrock Converting Company

#1 McCommas Bluff Landfill

#2 Sunnyvale Manufacturing Plant

#3 Building Materials Investment (GAF)

#4 Occidental Chemical Corporation

#5 Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt

#1 Mountain Creek Power Station

#2 Luminant Generation Company

#3 Solar Turbines Inc

#4 Dal-Tile Corporation

#5 Texas Instruments Incorporated

#1 Luminant Generation Company

#2 Mountain Creek Power Station

#3 Dal-Tile Corporation

#4 Charles Hinton Regional Landfill (Garland)

#5 Ameresco Dallas

#1 McCommas Bluff Landfill

#2 Building Materials Investment (GAF)

#3 Dal-Tile Corporation

#4 Occidental Chemical Corporation

#5 Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt

#1 Building Materials Investment (GAF)

#2 Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt

#3 Charles Hinton Regional Landfill (Garland)

#4 McCommas Bluff Landfill

#5 TAMKO Building Products

Top 20 Polluters by County in 10 County Nonattainment Area

"Dirty 30": Top 30 Biggest Polluters in 10 County Nonattainment Area

Top 20 Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and PM10 Polluters

What is PM 2.5 and PM 10 Pollution?

Particulate matter (PM) is a combination of different elements and chemicals, which together make tiny particles of dust or released in smoke. There are different sizes of particles, PM 10 is the larger particles and PM 2.5 are smaller particles.

What does it do to me?

PM 10 and PM 2.5 are very dangerous because they are so small, they can not only affect your lungs, but can also enter your blood stream and impact your brain and heart.

Top 20 Carbon Monoxide (CO) Polluters

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO) Pollution?

CO pollution is a colorless, odorless toxic pollutant that is emitted when something (wood, coal, gasoline) isn't burned fully.

What does it do to me?

When people breathe CO pollution, it can cause dizziness, nausea and vomiting. In large quantities it can be deadly.

Top 20 Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) Polluters

What is NOX Pollution?

NOX pollution is a poisonous gas that is released when combustion occurs at very high temperatures. It is a contributor to smog, acid rain and particulate matter pollution.

What does it do to me?

NOX can cause headaches, breathing problems, eye irritation and other side effects of particulate matter exposure.

Annual Emissions Inventory Report (2020)

Top 20 Lead (Pb) Polluters

What is Lead Pollution?

Lead pollution is a heavy metal that is released as solid particles into the air from industrial operations.

What does it do to me?

Depending on the level of exposure, lead can impact the nervous system, kidney function, immune system, and development systems, especially impacting neurological development of children. 

Annual Emissions Inventory Report (2020)

Top 20 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Polluters

What is VOC Pollution?

VOCs are gases that are emitted into the air by industrial production and processes. They can mix with other polluting gases in the air.

What does it do to me?

VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, nausea, and can also damage the liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Sometimes people experience headaches and skin irritation.

Annual Emissions Inventory Report (2020)

Top 20 Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Polluters

What is SO2 Pollution?

SO2 is a colorless, bad-smelling (rotten eggs?) gas, that can react and cause acid rain.

What does it do to me?

SO2 can negatively impact the lungs and causes wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness, especially during exercise or physical activity.

Annual Emissions Inventory Report (2020)

Interested in County specific data? Reach out! We are happy to help make this tool as relevant as possible to your goals.

10 County Nonattainment Area. Source: NCTCOG.