Century Aluminum of Kentucky – Emissions Trend

Hawesville, KY · 2019–2022 · Parent: Century Aluminum Co

This page assembles 4 consecutive years of EPA Toxics Release Inventory Form R filings for Century Aluminum of Kentucky, spanning 2019–2022. Each annual total aggregates on-site air emissions, surface-water discharges, land disposal, and off-site transfers reported by the facility under EPCRA Section 313, which requires disclosure whenever a listed chemical is manufactured, processed, or otherwise used above threshold quantities.

Reported releases opened at 639.5K in 2019 and closed at 509.6K in 2022 – a decrease of 20.3% over the window. The chart below stacks the four TRI release media (air, water, land, off-site) and overlays the yearly total. The top contributor by cumulative mass is Carbonyl sulfide at 1.8M, followed by Hydrogen fluoride at 766.8K.

Because TRI figures are estimated, not metered, year-over-year deltas can reflect methodology revisions, ownership changes, or shifts in what a facility classifies as reportable, not only physical emission changes. Treat the trajectory as a disclosure record, and cross-reference with the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) system for the fuller regulatory picture on this primary metals facility.

Overall Trend
↓ Decreasing (-20.3%)
2019 Total
639.5K lbs
2022 Total
509.6K lbs

Total Releases by Category

Air
Water
Land
Offsite Transfer
0201.3K402.7K604.0K805.3K1.0M 2019202020212022 Pounds Released

Year-over-Year Comparison

Year Total Chemicals YoY Change
2019 639.5K lbs 7 -
2020 882.6K lbs 9 +38.0%
2021 1.0M lbs 9 +14.0%
2022 509.6K lbs 9 -49.4%

Top Chemicals by Year

Chemical 2019202020212022 Total
Carbonyl sulfide 455.4K 506.6K 529.0K 282.8K 1.8M
Hydrogen fluoride 111.7K 180.4K 333.7K 140.9K 766.8K
Naphthalene - 161.9K 126.7K 74.3K 362.9K
Polycyclic aromatic compounds 58.9K 14.4K 11.6K 8.1K 93.0K
Nickel And Nickel Compounds - 10.4K - - 10.4K
Benzo[g,h,i]perylene 5.7K 749 546 493 7.5K
Cyanide compounds 7.3K - - - 7.3K
Nickel - - 3.9K 2.3K 6.2K
Lead compounds - 4.6K 480 296 5.4K
Chromium - 3.5K 658 377 4.5K
Lead 546 - - - 546
Mercury compounds - 117 30 19 166
Toluene 17 - - - 17

About This Data

Trend data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Facilities report annually. Release quantities are self-reported estimates. Year-over-year changes may reflect changes in production, pollution control measures, reporting methodology, or chemical thresholds.

A decrease in reported releases does not necessarily indicate improved environmental performance, as it may reflect production cutbacks, facility closures, or changes in reporting requirements. Similarly, increases may reflect expanded production rather than degraded environmental practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Century Aluminum of Kentucky getting cleaner or dirtier?
Based on EPA TRI data from 2019–2022, Century Aluminum of Kentucky's total toxic releases have decreased by approximately 20%.
What time period does this trend data cover?
This page shows 4 years of EPA Toxic Release Inventory data from 2019–2022. Release quantities are self-reported estimates filed annually by the facility.