Columbus County leads state in air pollution

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A recent report says Columbus County is tops for toxic air pollution in the Tar Heel State.

The report from the Southern Environmental Law Center says Columbus County industries released nearly four million pounds of toxic air pollution. Three-point-nine million of that came from the International Paper plant in Riegelwood.

Columbus also ranked number one in the amount of carcinogens released.