Cary, NC


Cary, NC

The City of Cary is home to an estimated 165,904 residents, and it’s located in Wake County, NC.

This report will help you become better acquainted with Cary and the surrounding area by addressing the following questions:

  • Are there any hazardous sites in Wake County, NC?
  • How clean is the air in Wake County, NC?
  • What’s the average radon level for homes in Wake County, NC?
  • Is the water in Wake County, NC safe to drink?

Hazardous Sites near Cary, NC

There are three Superfund sites in Wake County, NC. Superfund sites, like Ward Transformer in Raleigh, NC, are areas that have been contaminated with hazardous substances. If not for the cleanup efforts orchestrated by the EPA, these sites could endanger people living in nearby communities.

The EPA uses the Hazardous Ranking System (HRS) to quantify the risk a contaminated site poses to human health and the environment. Sites assigned HRS scores of 28.5 or greater qualify for placement on the National Priorities List (NPL), and are eligible to receive federal funding for cleanup efforts.

Before the EPA deletes a site from the NPL, it conducts reviews to ensure the cleanup was sufficient. As a result, some sites remain on the active site list long after cleanup activities are complete.

For more information about the Superfund sites located in the Cary, NC area, be sure to review the map and background information provided below:


Map Legend:

37183

A. Ward Transformer (HRS Score: 50)

The Ward Transformer site, where transformers, switchgear, and other electronic equipment were manufactured from 1964 to 2006, is located in Raleigh, NC.

Contaminants found at the Ward Transformer site include:

  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
  • 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-P-Dioxin (TCDD) Toxicity Equivalents (TEQ)
  • Aroclor 1260
37183

B. North Carolina State University (Lot 86, Farm Unit #1) (HRS Score: 48)

The North Carolina State University (Lot 86, Farm Unit #1) site, where North Carolina State University disposed of wastes from science laboratories and agricultural research facilities from 1969 to 1980, is located in Raleigh, NC.

Contaminants found at the North Carolina State University (Lot 86, Farm Unit #1) site include:

  • Arsenic
  • Barium
  • Benzene
  • Chloroform
  • Chromium
37183

C. Koppers Co., Inc. (Morrisville Plant) (HRS Score: 42)

The Koppers Co., Inc. (Morrisville Plant) site, where a wood treating facility operated from 1968 until 1975, is located in Morrisville, NC.

Contaminants found at the Koppers Co., Inc. (Morrisville Plant) site include:

  • 2,4-Dichlorophenol
  • Phenol
  • Pentachlorophenol
  • Dioxins And Dibenzofurans

Air Quality in the Cary, NC Area

The two most widespread forms of air pollution are ozone (smog) and particle pollution (soot). Exposure to these harmful pollutants, for even just a short period, can have adverse effects on your health.

Thanks to data collected by air monitoring equipment located across the country, the American Lung Association (ALA) is able to assess and track our air quality using three metrics:

  • Ozone
  • Short-term Particle Pollution
  • Year-round Particle Pollution

In their 2019 annual report, the ALA rated the air quality in Wake County, NC as follows:

Ground-Level
Ozone Pollution

Grading Scale: A-F

Short-Term
Particle Pollution

Grading Scale: A-F

Year-Round
Particle Pollution

Grading Scale: Pass/Fail

Radon Levels in Cary, NC Area

Air quality inside your home can be impacted by a number of factors, including the presence of hazardous substances in building materials (asbestos, lead, formaldehyde, etc.) and local radon levels.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas you cannot see or smell. It can build up inside your home and negatively impact your indoor air quality as well as your health.

To provide a guideline, the EPA assigned one of three zones to each U.S. county and county equivalent:

  • Zone 1 (higher radon levels)
  • Zone 2 (moderate levels)
  • Zone 3 (lower levels)

Indoor radon readings in Wake County, NC are expected to average from 2 to 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), so the county has been assigned EPA Radon Zone 2.

EPA Radon Zone

According to the EPA, you should consider acting to reduce your home's radon level if it measures between 2 and 4 pCi/L, so if you're contemplating buying a home in Cary, NC, you should have a radon test performed.

Water Quality in Cary, NC Area

In accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the EPA sets regulatory limits for drinking water contaminants known to cause adverse health effects.

The following Wake County, NC water provider(s) violated the maximum allowable level for one or more regulated contaminants:

Filter ValueWater SystemContaminantHealth Effects
37183A Country PlaceCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183A Country PlaceGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Acres of Space MHPCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Acres of Space MHPGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183All Star MHPCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Amber Acres North S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Amber Acres North S/DCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Amber Acres North S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Amber Ridge S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Amber Ridge S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Arrow SpringsCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Ashley Hills North S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Ashley Hills North S/DCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Ashley Hills North S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Auburn Hills S/DCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Auburn Hills S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Bayleaf MasterCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Bayleaf MasterCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Bayleaf MasterSeleniumHair or fingernail loss; numbness in fingers or toes; circulatory problems 
37183Baywood Forest S/DCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Baywood Forest S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Cotesworth Down S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Country Crossing S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Country Crossing S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Cross Creek MHPCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Cross Creek MHPGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Deerchase S/DCadmiumKidney damage
37183Deerhurst MHCBariumIncrease in blood pressure
37183Deerhurst MHCCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Deerhurst MHCCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Deerhurst MHCGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Feltonsville Comm OrganizationTTHMLiver, kidney, or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer 
37183Green Pines S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Green Pines S/DCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Green Pines S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Hampton Park SdCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Hillington West S/DCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Hillington West S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Holland Downs S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Huntdell S/DCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Inwood ForestGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Jeffreys MHP No 2Combined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Johnson & Son MHPGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Jones Dairy Farm S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Jones Dairy Farm S/DNitrateInfants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome. 
37183Kenwood Meadows S/DEthylene DibromideProblems with liver, stomach, reproductive system, or kidneys; increased risk of cancer 
37183Kings Grant S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Knightdale Estates MHPCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Knightdale Estates MHPGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Lindsey Point S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Lindsey Point S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Mallards Crossing S/DCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Mial Plantation S/DCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Mial Plantation S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Moorefield S/DBariumIncrease in blood pressure
37183Moorefield S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Moorefield S/DCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Moorefield S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Neuse Woods MH S/DToxapheneKidney, liver, or thyroid problems; increased risk of cancer 
37183Oakes Plantation S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Oakes Plantation S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Pear Meadows S/DEthylene DibromideProblems with liver, stomach, reproductive system, or kidneys; increased risk of cancer 
37183Ponderosa S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Ridgehaven S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Rockbridge S/DCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Rockbridge S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Sandy Trail S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Sandy Trail S/DNitrateInfants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome. 
37183Shady Acres MH VillageEthylene DibromideProblems with liver, stomach, reproductive system, or kidneys; increased risk of cancer 
37183Stonehenge S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Stonehenge S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Stoney Creek S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Stoney Creek S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Summerfield MHPTetrachloroethyleneLiver problems; increased risk of cancer 
37183Sunset Manor S/DCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Sunset Manor S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Tradewinds S/DCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Tradewinds S/DEthylene DibromideProblems with liver, stomach, reproductive system, or kidneys; increased risk of cancer 
37183Tradewinds S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer
37183Tuckahoe S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Twin Lake Farm S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Watkin`S MHPCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Wilders Ridge S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Windemere S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Woodscreek S/DCombined Radium (-226 and -228)Increased risk of cancer 
37183Woodscreek S/DCombined UraniumIncreased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity 
37183Woodscreek S/DGross Alpha, Excl. Radon and UIncreased risk of cancer

In addition to setting enforceable standards for harmful contaminants, the EPA also established guidelines to assist public water providers in managing the taste, odor and color of their drinking water.

To find out more about what’s in your drinking water, contact your utility company and request a copy of the latest Consumer Confidence Report.


Sources and Methods

Hazardous Sites: Identified using a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), hazardous sites detailed on trendingtowns.com represent sites contained on the National Priorities List (NPL) as of November 25, 2019.  The NPL is the list of national priorities among the known releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants throughout the United States and its territories.  All site-related data was sourced from the EPA.

Air Quality: Grades for ozone, short-term particle pollution, and year-round particle pollution were obtained from State of the Air 2019, a report compiled by the American Lung Association.

Radon Zones: Radon zone designations were obtained using a public use dataset provided by the EPA (September 11, 2019).

Water Quality: Drinking water violation data was sourced from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), a public use database provided by the EPA.  The dataset included violations submitted to the database as of the third quarter of 2019.

Paul

I’ve moved several times over the years, so I know just how stressful it can be to relocate. I want to help put your mind at ease. That’s why I research and write about all the things I think you should consider when moving to a new town.

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