Kiera Jefferson
Tennessee has been taking steps to improve its air and water quality, with the release of its first statewide climate plan in 2024, and the Priority Climate Action Plan, submitted to the EPA. The state has also been addressing the issue of insufficient green space, which can cause problems with stormwater runoff, by adding and expanding greenlines and building public green spaces. In addition, Tennessee has plenty of sunshine, making it a great place to install solar panels, which can help to reduce carbon footprints. However, Tennessee still faces challenges, with coal-fired power plants and vehicular emissions contributing to air pollution, and industrial waste and sewage overflow polluting rivers and lakes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tennessee's rank among US states in terms of pollution | Top 10 worst polluted states (as of 2022) |
| Tennessee's cities that are pollution hotspots | Red Bank, Goodlettsville |
| Air Quality Index (AQI) in 2025 | 52 (Moderate) |
| Common pollutants | Carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone, particle pollution, sulfur oxides, asbestos, fuel oils, kerosene, benzene, black carbon, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) |
| Health effects of air pollution | Asthma, allergies, lung disease, anxiety, depression, lung cancer, heart attacks, strokes, respiratory illness, premature death |
| Tennessee's air pollution monitoring and control authorities | Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Division of Air Pollution Control, Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Air Quality |
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What You'll Learn
Tennessee's air pollution
Tennessee has a diverse economy, involving the extraction and export of gravel, sand, marble, and other mineral-based products. The state also has several combustion sites, vehicular emissions, and industrial operations that contribute to air pollution. In 2020, Red Bank in Tennessee had a PM2.5 reading of 12.2 μg/m³ as its yearly average. This placed it within the moderate pollution ratings bracket and ranked it as the city with the highest pollution level in the state. Thirteen other cities in Tennessee fell within the World Health Organization's target bracket of 10 μg/m³ or less. This indicates that there are specific pollution hotspots within the state, which warrant caution during periods of heightened pollution.
Vehicles are a significant source of air pollution in Tennessee, as they are across the globe. The increasing number of vehicles on Tennessee's roads, coupled with a growing population, contributes to high levels of air pollution. This includes personal vehicles, such as cars and motorbikes, as well as heavy-duty vehicles like lorries and trucks. Additionally, emissions from factories, power plants, and mining sites release large amounts of particulate matter and pollutants into the atmosphere. These pollutants include black carbon and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like methylene chloride, benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde, which are released from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels.
Tennessee has taken some steps towards improving its air quality and reducing pollution. The state has abundant sunshine, making it ideal for solar panel installations, which can help reduce carbon footprints and yield energy bill savings. In 2024, Tennessee released its first statewide climate plan under the EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. Cities like Memphis and Knoxville have also developed their own Priority Climate Action Plans. However, the state's current government has been criticized for its lack of effective climate change legislation. For instance, in 2023, Tennessee's General Assembly passed bills that protected fossil fuel interests and developers, defining natural gas as "clean energy" despite its contribution to climate pollution.
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Tennessee's water pollution
Microplastics are another significant issue in Tennessee's waterways. These tiny pieces of plastic are barely visible but can easily enter and pollute the environment, particularly in deep water. While there is no easy answer for eliminating microplastic pollution, organizations like Tennessee Riverkeeper conduct cleanups focusing on plastic litter removal, especially from shorelines and shallow water. Other recommended steps to address microplastic pollution include reducing single-use plastics, supporting a bottle bill, reducing or substituting plastic packaging, and encouraging the use of reusable plastic alternatives.
In addition to microplastics and E. coli, so-called "forever chemicals" linked to disease, infertility, and death have been detected in 60% of rivers and lakes tested in Northeast Tennessee. These chemicals, known as PFAs, were found at higher concentrations in more urbanized stretches of water, particularly downstream from industrial and municipal wastewater treatment plants, military sites, and agricultural lands where sewage sludge is disposed of. Despite the risks associated with PFAs, there are currently no state regulations concerning their presence in drinking water.
While Tennessee has taken some steps to address its pollution issues, such as releasing its first statewide climate plan in 2024 and developing Priority Climate Action Plans for Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville, the state's current government has also passed bills that prioritize fossil fuel interests and loosen regulations on waterways. As a result, Tennessee continues to face challenges in improving its water quality and protecting its waterways from pollution.
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Tennessee's legislative action on pollution
One of the key organizations responsible for regulating pollution in Tennessee is the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). The TDEC is the chief environmental and natural resource regulatory agency in the state. It regulates sources of pollution, provides grants and loans to local governments for improving infrastructure, promotes environmental education, and enforces environmental laws.
The state also has a Division of Air Pollution Control, which operates under the TDEC. This division is responsible for maintaining air quality and protecting public health and welfare. They establish emission standards, monitor industries, conduct inspections, enforce regulations, and assist local counties with their air pollution control programs.
In 2024, Tennessee released its first statewide climate plan under the EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. Cities like Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville also developed their own Priority Climate Action Plans. Additionally, Tennessee has seen improvements in the climate resiliency of its electrical infrastructure due to extreme weather patterns.
However, in 2023, Tennessee's General Assembly passed several bills that prioritized fossil fuel interests and development. For example, natural gas was legally defined as "clean energy," and penalties for protesting oil and gas pipelines were increased. These decisions have faced criticism from environmental advocates.
Tennessee also has a significant number of Superfund sites and hazardous waste facilities, indicating a need for continued focus on environmental remediation and pollution reduction. Overall, while there have been some positive steps, Tennessee's legislative action on pollution remains a work in progress, with room for further improvement.
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Tennessee's pollution-causing industries
Tennessee is an American state located in the Southeast of the country. It is the 16th most populous state in the US, home to over 6.88 million people. Tennessee's pollution-causing industries are varied, with some prominent sources of air pollution being vehicular emissions, emissions from factories and power plants, mining sites, construction sites, and road repairs. Vehicular emissions are a particularly significant issue, with the state's growing population and increasing vehicle ownership contributing to rising pollution levels.
In 2020, several cities in Tennessee, including Red Bank, reported fairly high readings of PM2.5, indicating that the state's air quality could be improved. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, which is extremely dangerous to human health when inhaled. Other pollutants of concern include black carbon and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are released from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels.
Tennessee's diverse economy includes the extraction and export of products like gravel, sand, marble, and mineral-based products. The state also has a significant agricultural industry, with cattle and calves being the second most profitable agricultural commodity in 2019. However, agriculture, forestry, and land use are estimated to contribute about a quarter of global emissions, with the cattle industry being a notable offender due to deforestation, land use, and methane emissions from cattle digestive processes.
Additionally, Tennessee has faced challenges with water pollution, particularly in the Tennessee River. The river has been labelled the "River of Plastic" due to the high levels of microplastics attributed to littering and single-use plastics. Industrial pollution, coal ash spills, and stormwater runoff also contribute to the degradation of water quality, endangering both human and aquatic life. Organizations like Tennessee Riverkeeper and Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful are actively working to address this issue through cleanups, skimmer devices, and monitoring of industrial discharges.
In recent years, there have been some efforts to improve Tennessee's climate resiliency and reduce pollution. The state released its first statewide climate plan in 2024, and cities like Memphis have highlighted climate change adaptation in their long-term plans. However, the state's current government has faced criticism for its lack of effective climate change legislation, with bills passed in 2023 protecting fossil fuel interests and developers.
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Tennessee's pollution-reducing initiatives
Tennessee has implemented various initiatives to reduce pollution and improve environmental conditions within the state. Here are some key examples:
Tennessee Volunteer Emission Reduction Strategy:
In 2024, Tennessee released its first statewide climate plan under the EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. The state's Priority Climate Action Plan, named the Tennessee Volunteer Emission Reduction Strategy, was submitted to the EPA with the aim of reducing emissions and addressing climate change.
Air Quality Index (AQI) Monitoring:
Tennessee utilizes the Air Quality Index (AQI) as a reporting system to inform the public about air pollution levels. The AQI uses a colour-coded system to indicate the air quality forecast for an area, helping people make informed decisions about outdoor activities. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) actively monitors industries, conducts site visits, and tests and monitors air quality at stations across the state.
Green Spaces and Water Quality Initiatives:
Tennessee cities have been focusing on adding and expanding green spaces, including public parks, greenlines, and bikeshare programs. These initiatives not only improve the well-being of residents but also help manage stormwater runoff, reducing pollution in nearby water bodies. The state is also addressing water pollution in its lakes and rivers, with the TDEC working to improve water quality to support aquatic life and reduce treatment-related costs.
Solar Energy Potential:
With an average of 207 days of sunshine per year, Tennessee has significant potential for solar energy utilization. While the state currently offers limited solar incentives, the abundant sunshine can enhance the productivity of photovoltaic (PV) panels, leading to higher energy bill savings and reduced carbon footprints for residents.
Clean Energy Jobs:
Since President Joe Biden's landmark climate bill became law, companies have announced over 100,000 clean energy jobs in the US. This shift towards clean energy can contribute to pollution reduction in Tennessee, especially with the presence of energy companies investing in the state, such as Type One Energy Group.
These initiatives demonstrate Tennessee's efforts to improve air and water quality, encourage clean energy adoption, and enhance overall environmental sustainability.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2025, Tennessee has released a statewide climate plan and its largest cities have produced their own Priority Climate Action Plans. However, the state still deals with air and water pollution. In 2020, several cities in Tennessee had fairly high readings of PM2.5, which refers to particulate matter that is extremely dangerous to human health when inhaled.
Tennessee has many programs and initiatives to improve air quality, such as the BlueCross Healthy Place program, which provides neighbourhoods with communal spaces for healthy activities. The state also has monitoring systems in place, such as the Air Quality Index (AQI), which is a reporting system that allows people to quickly determine if the air quality is healthy.
Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has estimated that 30% of the state's streams are of poor water quality and are unable to support healthy fish and aquatic wildlife. The TDEC is working to address this issue and has monitors stationed across the state to gather outdoor air and water quality data.
Tennessee's pollution mainly comes from combustion sites, such as vehicular emissions, and industrial waste. Other sources include coal-fired power plants, the burning of fossil fuels, and organic matter.
