Compared to the surrounding counties, Fentress County shows an overall better standing when it comes to environmental pollution. A lot of areas have more to be concerned with than in my county. Although Fentress County has a very high unemployment rate, we do seem to keep our county very clean. We may not care about our money, but we sure do care about our land. .
Based on studies done by EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), Fentress County ranked about the average of all counties in the US in terms of an average individual's added cancer risk from hazardous air pollutants. 16,625 people in Fentress County face a cancer risk more than 100 times the goal set by the Clean Air Act. 89% of the air cancer risk is from mobile sources such as cars, motorbikes, and things like that. 11% of the air cancer risk is from area sources such as Laundromats, industrial parks, and other businesses. Although in 2000, Fentress County ranked among the cleanest/best 20% of all counties in the U.S. in terms of emissions. .
330 houses in Fentress County have a high risk of lead hazards. These houses are located in the poverty stricken part of the county. Exposure to toxic chemicals can cause any of several negative effects on human health, such as cancer or birth defects. Some chemicals are widely recognized to be hazardous, while others are only suspected. Lead is one of these chemicals than can be hazardous to your health. .
According to the Clean Water Act status in Fentress County, 29% of surface waters in Fentress County have beneficial uses, which are impaired or threatened. Sediments, ph, and other factors bother some rivers, streams, and creeks, but overall our bodies of water are clean. Although, 13 companies that have been issued permits to discharge wastewater into rivers.
Our county contains 3 watersheds. Out of these 3 areas, EPA has determined that only one has good water quality but high vulnerability to degradation.
