Georgia high on list of toxic states
Georgia ranks as one of the worst states in the country when it comes to air pollution from coal-powered power plants, according to information from the Natural Resources Defense Council.
As of 2010 — the most recent date available — Georgia was the ninth-worst state when it came to industrial toxic air pollution, the organization said. The state's electric sector accounted for more than a third of Georgia's pollution.
The state also ranked 22nd for industrial mercury air pollution, the NRDC said.
Nationally, there was a 19 percent decrease in the amount of air toxins released from power plants from 2009 to 2010, the group said.
Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania were the most toxic states, according to the NRDC.
About the Author
Arielle Kass covers Gwinnett County for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She started at the paper in 2010, and has covered business and local government beats around metro Atlanta. Arielle is a graduate of Emory University.
