diff --git a/doc/environment_variables.md b/doc/environment_variables.md
index dce434ff30d..0a289ac94d4 100644
--- a/doc/environment_variables.md
+++ b/doc/environment_variables.md
@@ -51,8 +51,6 @@ some configuration as environment variables that can be set.
   - flowctl - traces http2 flow control
   - op_failure - traces error information when failure is pushed onto a
     completion queue
-  - pending_tags - [debug builds only] traces still-in-progress tags on
-    completion queues
   - round_robin - traces the round_robin load balancing policy
   - glb - traces the grpclb load balancer
   - queue_pluck
@@ -63,6 +61,23 @@ some configuration as environment variables that can be set.
   - transport_security - traces metadata about secure channel establishment
   - tcp - traces bytes in and out of a channel
 
+  The following tracers will only run in binaries built in DEBUG mode. This is
+  accomplished by invoking `CONFIG=dbg make <target>`
+  - metadata - tracks creation and mutation of metadata
+  - closure - tracks closure creation, scheduling, and completion
+  - pending_tags - traces still-in-progress tags on completion queues
+  - polling - traces the selected polling engine
+  - queue_refcount
+  - error_refcount
+  - stream_refcount
+  - workqueue_refcount
+  - fd_refcount
+  - auth_context_refcount
+  - security_connector_refcount
+  - resolver_refcount
+  - lb_policy_refcount
+  - chttp2_refcount
+
   'all' can additionally be used to turn all traces on.
   Individual traces can be disabled by prefixing them with '-'.
 
diff --git a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/client_channel_plugin.c b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/client_channel_plugin.c
index 2c6af1d78e2..60e77d62683 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/client_channel_plugin.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/client_channel_plugin.c
@@ -78,6 +78,9 @@ void grpc_client_channel_init(void) {
       GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL, GRPC_CHANNEL_INIT_BUILTIN_PRIORITY, append_filter,
       (void *)&grpc_client_channel_filter);
   grpc_http_connect_register_handshaker_factory();
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  grpc_register_tracer("resolver_refcount", &grpc_trace_resolver_refcount);
+#endif
 }
 
 void grpc_client_channel_shutdown(void) {
diff --git a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy.c b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy.c
index 50f8faef8e5..8d69ba6af52 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy.c
@@ -21,6 +21,10 @@
 
 #define WEAK_REF_BITS 16
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_lb_policy_refcount = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
+#endif
+
 void grpc_lb_policy_init(grpc_lb_policy *policy,
                          const grpc_lb_policy_vtable *vtable,
                          grpc_combiner *combiner) {
@@ -30,7 +34,7 @@ void grpc_lb_policy_init(grpc_lb_policy *policy,
   policy->combiner = GRPC_COMBINER_REF(combiner, "lb_policy");
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_LB_POLICY_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define REF_FUNC_EXTRA_ARGS , const char *file, int line, const char *reason
 #define REF_MUTATE_EXTRA_ARGS REF_FUNC_EXTRA_ARGS, const char *purpose
 #define REF_FUNC_PASS_ARGS(new_reason) , file, line, new_reason
@@ -46,11 +50,12 @@ static gpr_atm ref_mutate(grpc_lb_policy *c, gpr_atm delta,
                           int barrier REF_MUTATE_EXTRA_ARGS) {
   gpr_atm old_val = barrier ? gpr_atm_full_fetch_add(&c->ref_pair, delta)
                             : gpr_atm_no_barrier_fetch_add(&c->ref_pair, delta);
-#ifdef GRPC_LB_POLICY_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
-          "LB_POLICY: 0x%" PRIxPTR " %12s 0x%" PRIxPTR " -> 0x%" PRIxPTR
-          " [%s]",
-          (intptr_t)c, purpose, old_val, old_val + delta, reason);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_lb_policy_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "LB_POLICY: 0x%p %12s 0x%" PRIxPTR " -> 0x%" PRIxPTR " [%s]", c,
+            purpose, old_val, old_val + delta, reason);
+  }
 #endif
   return old_val;
 }
diff --git a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy.h b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy.h
index 42503c37ca2..645d51e1385 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy.h
+++ b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy.h
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ typedef struct grpc_lb_policy grpc_lb_policy;
 typedef struct grpc_lb_policy_vtable grpc_lb_policy_vtable;
 typedef struct grpc_lb_policy_args grpc_lb_policy_args;
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_lb_policy_refcount;
+#endif
+
 struct grpc_lb_policy {
   const grpc_lb_policy_vtable *vtable;
   gpr_atm ref_pair;
@@ -96,8 +100,7 @@ struct grpc_lb_policy_vtable {
                         const grpc_lb_policy_args *args);
 };
 
-//#define GRPC_LB_POLICY_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-#ifdef GRPC_LB_POLICY_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 
 /* Strong references: the policy will shutdown when they reach zero */
 #define GRPC_LB_POLICY_REF(p, r) \
diff --git a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy/grpclb/grpclb.c b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy/grpclb/grpclb.c
index e80b1dcd80f..5a5ff2902d0 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy/grpclb/grpclb.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/lb_policy/grpclb/grpclb.c
@@ -1880,6 +1880,9 @@ static bool maybe_add_client_load_reporting_filter(
 void grpc_lb_policy_grpclb_init() {
   grpc_register_lb_policy(grpc_glb_lb_factory_create());
   grpc_register_tracer("glb", &grpc_lb_glb_trace);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  grpc_register_tracer("lb_policy_refcount", &grpc_trace_lb_policy_refcount);
+#endif
   grpc_channel_init_register_stage(GRPC_CLIENT_SUBCHANNEL,
                                    GRPC_CHANNEL_INIT_BUILTIN_PRIORITY,
                                    maybe_add_client_load_reporting_filter,
diff --git a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/resolver.c b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/resolver.c
index 69b1c31e592..de9a8ce41b9 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/resolver.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/resolver.c
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@
 #include "src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/resolver.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/combiner.h"
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_resolver_refcount = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
+#endif
+
 void grpc_resolver_init(grpc_resolver *resolver,
                         const grpc_resolver_vtable *vtable,
                         grpc_combiner *combiner) {
@@ -27,25 +31,30 @@ void grpc_resolver_init(grpc_resolver *resolver,
   gpr_ref_init(&resolver->refs, 1);
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_RESOLVER_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-void grpc_resolver_ref(grpc_resolver *resolver, grpc_closure_list *closure_list,
-                       const char *file, int line, const char *reason) {
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG, "RESOLVER:%p   ref %d -> %d %s",
-          resolver, (int)resolver->refs.count, (int)resolver->refs.count + 1,
-          reason);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+void grpc_resolver_ref(grpc_resolver *resolver, const char *file, int line,
+                       const char *reason) {
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_resolver_refcount)) {
+    gpr_atm old_refs = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&resolver->refs.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "RESOLVER:%p   ref %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " %s", resolver,
+            old_refs, old_refs + 1, reason);
+  }
 #else
 void grpc_resolver_ref(grpc_resolver *resolver) {
 #endif
   gpr_ref(&resolver->refs);
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_RESOLVER_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-void grpc_resolver_unref(grpc_resolver *resolver,
-                         grpc_closure_list *closure_list, const char *file,
-                         int line, const char *reason) {
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG, "RESOLVER:%p unref %d -> %d %s",
-          resolver, (int)resolver->refs.count, (int)resolver->refs.count - 1,
-          reason);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+void grpc_resolver_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver,
+                         const char *file, int line, const char *reason) {
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_resolver_refcount)) {
+    gpr_atm old_refs = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&resolver->refs.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "RESOLVER:%p unref %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " %s", resolver,
+            old_refs, old_refs - 1, reason);
+  }
 #else
 void grpc_resolver_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *resolver) {
 #endif
diff --git a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/resolver.h b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/resolver.h
index c78bb316cbc..ae9c8f66fed 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/resolver.h
+++ b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/resolver.h
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@
 typedef struct grpc_resolver grpc_resolver;
 typedef struct grpc_resolver_vtable grpc_resolver_vtable;
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_resolver_refcount;
+#endif
+
 /** \a grpc_resolver provides \a grpc_channel_args objects to its caller */
 struct grpc_resolver {
   const grpc_resolver_vtable *vtable;
@@ -41,17 +45,17 @@ struct grpc_resolver_vtable {
                       grpc_channel_args **result, grpc_closure *on_complete);
 };
 
-#ifdef GRPC_RESOLVER_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define GRPC_RESOLVER_REF(p, r) grpc_resolver_ref((p), __FILE__, __LINE__, (r))
-#define GRPC_RESOLVER_UNREF(cl, p, r) \
-  grpc_resolver_unref((cl), (p), __FILE__, __LINE__, (r))
+#define GRPC_RESOLVER_UNREF(e, p, r) \
+  grpc_resolver_unref((e), (p), __FILE__, __LINE__, (r))
 void grpc_resolver_ref(grpc_resolver *policy, const char *file, int line,
                        const char *reason);
-void grpc_resolver_unref(grpc_resolver *policy, grpc_closure_list *closure_list,
+void grpc_resolver_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *policy,
                          const char *file, int line, const char *reason);
 #else
 #define GRPC_RESOLVER_REF(p, r) grpc_resolver_ref((p))
-#define GRPC_RESOLVER_UNREF(cl, p, r) grpc_resolver_unref((cl), (p))
+#define GRPC_RESOLVER_UNREF(e, p, r) grpc_resolver_unref((e), (p))
 void grpc_resolver_ref(grpc_resolver *policy);
 void grpc_resolver_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_resolver *policy);
 #endif
diff --git a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.c b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.c
index 0877ef4e671..88157ed738c 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.c
@@ -140,25 +140,13 @@ struct grpc_subchannel_call {
 static void subchannel_connected(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *subchannel,
                                  grpc_error *error);
 
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define REF_REASON reason
-#define REF_LOG(name, p)                                                  \
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG, "%s: %p   ref %d -> %d %s", \
-          (name), (p), (p)->refs.count, (p)->refs.count + 1, reason)
-#define UNREF_LOG(name, p)                                                \
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG, "%s: %p unref %d -> %d %s", \
-          (name), (p), (p)->refs.count, (p)->refs.count - 1, reason)
 #define REF_MUTATE_EXTRA_ARGS \
   GRPC_SUBCHANNEL_REF_EXTRA_ARGS, const char *purpose
 #define REF_MUTATE_PURPOSE(x) , file, line, reason, x
 #else
 #define REF_REASON ""
-#define REF_LOG(name, p) \
-  do {                   \
-  } while (0)
-#define UNREF_LOG(name, p) \
-  do {                     \
-  } while (0)
 #define REF_MUTATE_EXTRA_ARGS
 #define REF_MUTATE_PURPOSE(x)
 #endif
@@ -207,10 +195,12 @@ static gpr_atm ref_mutate(grpc_subchannel *c, gpr_atm delta,
                           int barrier REF_MUTATE_EXTRA_ARGS) {
   gpr_atm old_val = barrier ? gpr_atm_full_fetch_add(&c->ref_pair, delta)
                             : gpr_atm_no_barrier_fetch_add(&c->ref_pair, delta);
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
-          "SUBCHANNEL: %p %s 0x%08" PRIxPTR " -> 0x%08" PRIxPTR " [%s]", c,
-          purpose, old_val, old_val + delta, reason);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_stream_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "SUBCHANNEL: %p %12s 0x%" PRIxPTR " -> 0x%" PRIxPTR " [%s]", c,
+            purpose, old_val, old_val + delta, reason);
+  }
 #endif
   return old_val;
 }
diff --git a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.h b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.h
index f38bf42803c..6d2abb04df5 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.h
+++ b/src/core/ext/filters/client_channel/subchannel.h
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ typedef struct grpc_subchannel_call grpc_subchannel_call;
 typedef struct grpc_subchannel_args grpc_subchannel_args;
 typedef struct grpc_subchannel_key grpc_subchannel_key;
 
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define GRPC_SUBCHANNEL_REF(p, r) \
   grpc_subchannel_ref((p), __FILE__, __LINE__, (r))
 #define GRPC_SUBCHANNEL_REF_FROM_WEAK_REF(p, r) \
diff --git a/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/chttp2_plugin.c b/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/chttp2_plugin.c
index b0ffdc0cf92..6a8c81445a1 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/chttp2_plugin.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/chttp2_plugin.c
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@
 void grpc_chttp2_plugin_init(void) {
   grpc_register_tracer("http", &grpc_http_trace);
   grpc_register_tracer("flowctl", &grpc_flowctl_trace);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  grpc_register_tracer("chttp2_refcount", &grpc_trace_chttp2_refcount);
+#endif
 }
 
 void grpc_chttp2_plugin_shutdown(void) {}
diff --git a/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/chttp2_transport.c b/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/chttp2_transport.c
index cd2c6cc4926..1f4abbc792c 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/chttp2_transport.c
+++ b/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/chttp2_transport.c
@@ -76,6 +76,10 @@ static bool g_default_keepalive_permit_without_calls =
 grpc_tracer_flag grpc_http_trace = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
 grpc_tracer_flag grpc_flowctl_trace = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_chttp2_refcount = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
+#endif
+
 static const grpc_transport_vtable vtable;
 
 /* forward declarations of various callbacks that we'll build closures around */
@@ -213,20 +217,26 @@ static void destruct_transport(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
   gpr_free(t);
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_CHTTP2_REFCOUNTING_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_chttp2_unref_transport(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                  grpc_chttp2_transport *t, const char *reason,
                                  const char *file, int line) {
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "chttp2:unref:%p %" PRIdPTR "->%" PRIdPTR " %s [%s:%d]", t,
-          t->refs.count, t->refs.count - 1, reason, file, line);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_chttp2_refcount)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&t->refs.count);
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "chttp2:unref:%p %" PRIdPTR "->%" PRIdPTR " %s [%s:%d]",
+            t, val, val - 1, reason, file, line);
+  }
   if (!gpr_unref(&t->refs)) return;
   destruct_transport(exec_ctx, t);
 }
 
 void grpc_chttp2_ref_transport(grpc_chttp2_transport *t, const char *reason,
                                const char *file, int line) {
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "chttp2:  ref:%p %" PRIdPTR "->%" PRIdPTR " %s [%s:%d]", t,
-          t->refs.count, t->refs.count + 1, reason, file, line);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_chttp2_refcount)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&t->refs.count);
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "chttp2:  ref:%p %" PRIdPTR "->%" PRIdPTR " %s [%s:%d]",
+            t, val, val + 1, reason, file, line);
+  }
   gpr_ref(&t->refs);
 }
 #else
@@ -622,7 +632,7 @@ static void close_transport_locked(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
   GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(error);
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_chttp2_stream_ref(grpc_chttp2_stream *s, const char *reason) {
   grpc_stream_ref(s->refcount, reason);
 }
diff --git a/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/chttp2_transport.h b/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/chttp2_transport.h
index 0a1fb4d772a..0c4e2a91c03 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/chttp2_transport.h
+++ b/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/chttp2_transport.h
@@ -26,6 +26,10 @@
 extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_http_trace;
 extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_flowctl_trace;
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_chttp2_refcount;
+#endif
+
 grpc_transport *grpc_create_chttp2_transport(
     grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, const grpc_channel_args *channel_args,
     grpc_endpoint *ep, int is_client);
diff --git a/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/internal.h b/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/internal.h
index 4041b29fecb..b7ac7447956 100644
--- a/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/internal.h
+++ b/src/core/ext/transport/chttp2/transport/internal.h
@@ -748,7 +748,7 @@ void grpc_chttp2_mark_stream_closed(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
 void grpc_chttp2_start_writing(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                grpc_chttp2_transport *t);
 
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define GRPC_CHTTP2_STREAM_REF(stream, reason) \
   grpc_chttp2_stream_ref(stream, reason)
 #define GRPC_CHTTP2_STREAM_UNREF(exec_ctx, stream, reason) \
@@ -764,8 +764,7 @@ void grpc_chttp2_stream_ref(grpc_chttp2_stream *s);
 void grpc_chttp2_stream_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_chttp2_stream *s);
 #endif
 
-//#define GRPC_CHTTP2_REFCOUNTING_DEBUG 1
-#ifdef GRPC_CHTTP2_REFCOUNTING_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define GRPC_CHTTP2_REF_TRANSPORT(t, r) \
   grpc_chttp2_ref_transport(t, r, __FILE__, __LINE__)
 #define GRPC_CHTTP2_UNREF_TRANSPORT(cl, t, r) \
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h b/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h
index b0559ad745c..a80f8aa8268 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ void grpc_call_stack_set_pollset_or_pollset_set(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                                 grpc_call_stack *call_stack,
                                                 grpc_polling_entity *pollent);
 
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define GRPC_CALL_STACK_REF(call_stack, reason) \
   grpc_stream_ref(&(call_stack)->refcount, reason)
 #define GRPC_CALL_STACK_UNREF(exec_ctx, call_stack, reason) \
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/closure.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/closure.c
index 719e2e8cee0..e028e72ed6d 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/closure.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/closure.c
@@ -24,7 +24,11 @@
 
 #include "src/core/lib/profiling/timers.h"
 
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_closure = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
+#endif
+
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 grpc_closure *grpc_closure_init(const char *file, int line,
                                 grpc_closure *closure, grpc_iomgr_cb_func cb,
                                 void *cb_arg,
@@ -37,7 +41,7 @@ grpc_closure *grpc_closure_init(grpc_closure *closure, grpc_iomgr_cb_func cb,
   closure->cb = cb;
   closure->cb_arg = cb_arg;
   closure->scheduler = scheduler;
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
   closure->scheduled = false;
   closure->file_initiated = NULL;
   closure->line_initiated = 0;
@@ -112,7 +116,7 @@ static void closure_wrapper(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
   cb(exec_ctx, cb_arg, error);
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 grpc_closure *grpc_closure_create(const char *file, int line,
                                   grpc_iomgr_cb_func cb, void *cb_arg,
                                   grpc_closure_scheduler *scheduler) {
@@ -123,7 +127,7 @@ grpc_closure *grpc_closure_create(grpc_iomgr_cb_func cb, void *cb_arg,
   wrapped_closure *wc = gpr_malloc(sizeof(*wc));
   wc->cb = cb;
   wc->cb_arg = cb_arg;
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
   grpc_closure_init(file, line, &wc->wrapper, closure_wrapper, wc, scheduler);
 #else
   grpc_closure_init(&wc->wrapper, closure_wrapper, wc, scheduler);
@@ -131,7 +135,7 @@ grpc_closure *grpc_closure_create(grpc_iomgr_cb_func cb, void *cb_arg,
   return &wc->wrapper;
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_closure_run(const char *file, int line, grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                       grpc_closure *c, grpc_error *error) {
 #else
@@ -140,7 +144,7 @@ void grpc_closure_run(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_closure *c,
 #endif
   GPR_TIMER_BEGIN("grpc_closure_run", 0);
   if (c != NULL) {
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
     c->file_initiated = file;
     c->line_initiated = line;
     c->run = true;
@@ -153,7 +157,7 @@ void grpc_closure_run(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_closure *c,
   GPR_TIMER_END("grpc_closure_run", 0);
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_closure_sched(const char *file, int line, grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                         grpc_closure *c, grpc_error *error) {
 #else
@@ -162,7 +166,7 @@ void grpc_closure_sched(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_closure *c,
 #endif
   GPR_TIMER_BEGIN("grpc_closure_sched", 0);
   if (c != NULL) {
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
     GPR_ASSERT(!c->scheduled);
     c->scheduled = true;
     c->file_initiated = file;
@@ -177,7 +181,7 @@ void grpc_closure_sched(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_closure *c,
   GPR_TIMER_END("grpc_closure_sched", 0);
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_closure_list_sched(const char *file, int line,
                              grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_closure_list *list) {
 #else
@@ -186,7 +190,7 @@ void grpc_closure_list_sched(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_closure_list *list) {
   grpc_closure *c = list->head;
   while (c != NULL) {
     grpc_closure *next = c->next_data.next;
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
     GPR_ASSERT(!c->scheduled);
     c->scheduled = true;
     c->file_initiated = file;
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/closure.h b/src/core/lib/iomgr/closure.h
index 3ecf9e947bf..2ec6f77e761 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/closure.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/closure.h
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@
 struct grpc_closure;
 typedef struct grpc_closure grpc_closure;
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_closure;
+#endif
+
 typedef struct grpc_closure_list {
   grpc_closure *head;
   grpc_closure *tail;
@@ -59,8 +63,6 @@ struct grpc_closure_scheduler {
   const grpc_closure_scheduler_vtable *vtable;
 };
 
-// #define GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
-
 /** A closure over a grpc_iomgr_cb_func. */
 struct grpc_closure {
   /** Once queued, next indicates the next queued closure; before then, scratch
@@ -89,7 +91,7 @@ struct grpc_closure {
 
 // extra tracing and debugging for grpc_closure. This incurs a decent amount of
 // overhead per closure, so it must be enabled at compile time.
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
   bool scheduled;
   bool run;  // true = run, false = scheduled
   const char *file_created;
@@ -100,7 +102,7 @@ struct grpc_closure {
 };
 
 /** Initializes \a closure with \a cb and \a cb_arg. Returns \a closure. */
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 grpc_closure *grpc_closure_init(const char *file, int line,
                                 grpc_closure *closure, grpc_iomgr_cb_func cb,
                                 void *cb_arg,
@@ -116,7 +118,7 @@ grpc_closure *grpc_closure_init(grpc_closure *closure, grpc_iomgr_cb_func cb,
 #endif
 
 /* Create a heap allocated closure: try to avoid except for very rare events */
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 grpc_closure *grpc_closure_create(const char *file, int line,
                                   grpc_iomgr_cb_func cb, void *cb_arg,
                                   grpc_closure_scheduler *scheduler);
@@ -153,7 +155,7 @@ bool grpc_closure_list_empty(grpc_closure_list list);
 /** Run a closure directly. Caller ensures that no locks are being held above.
  *  Note that calling this at the end of a closure callback function itself is
  *  by definition safe. */
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_closure_run(const char *file, int line, grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                       grpc_closure *closure, grpc_error *error);
 #define GRPC_CLOSURE_RUN(exec_ctx, closure, error) \
@@ -166,7 +168,7 @@ void grpc_closure_run(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_closure *closure,
 #endif
 
 /** Schedule a closure to be run. Does not need to be run from a safe point. */
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_closure_sched(const char *file, int line, grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                         grpc_closure *closure, grpc_error *error);
 #define GRPC_CLOSURE_SCHED(exec_ctx, closure, error) \
@@ -180,7 +182,7 @@ void grpc_closure_sched(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_closure *closure,
 
 /** Schedule all closures in a list to be run. Does not need to be run from a
  * safe point. */
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_closure_list_sched(const char *file, int line,
                              grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                              grpc_closure_list *closure_list);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/combiner.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/combiner.c
index 750ff102ff3..7f9c5d837f8 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/combiner.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/combiner.c
@@ -102,12 +102,14 @@ static void start_destroy(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_combiner *lock) {
   }
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_COMBINER_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-#define GRPC_COMBINER_DEBUG_SPAM(op, delta)                               \
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,                             \
-          "combiner[%p] %s %" PRIdPTR " --> %" PRIdPTR " %s", lock, (op), \
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&lock->refs.count),                     \
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&lock->refs.count) + (delta), reason);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+#define GRPC_COMBINER_DEBUG_SPAM(op, delta)                                \
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_combiner_trace)) {                               \
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,                            \
+            "C:%p %s %" PRIdPTR " --> %" PRIdPTR " %s", lock, (op),        \
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&lock->refs.count),                    \
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&lock->refs.count) + (delta), reason); \
+  }
 #else
 #define GRPC_COMBINER_DEBUG_SPAM(op, delta)
 #endif
@@ -247,7 +249,7 @@ bool grpc_combiner_continue_exec_ctx(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx) {
     GPR_TIMER_BEGIN("combiner.exec1", 0);
     grpc_closure *cl = (grpc_closure *)n;
     grpc_error *cl_err = cl->error_data.error;
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
     cl->scheduled = false;
 #endif
     cl->cb(exec_ctx, cl->cb_arg, cl_err);
@@ -264,7 +266,7 @@ bool grpc_combiner_continue_exec_ctx(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx) {
           gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "C:%p execute_final[%d] c=%p", lock, loops, c));
       grpc_closure *next = c->next_data.next;
       grpc_error *error = c->error_data.error;
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
       c->scheduled = false;
 #endif
       c->cb(exec_ctx, c->cb_arg, error);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/combiner.h b/src/core/lib/iomgr/combiner.h
index a616113ca0b..8e0434369d3 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/combiner.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/combiner.h
@@ -35,8 +35,7 @@
 // necessary
 grpc_combiner *grpc_combiner_create(void);
 
-//#define GRPC_COMBINER_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-#ifdef GRPC_COMBINER_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define GRPC_COMBINER_DEBUG_ARGS \
   , const char *file, int line, const char *reason
 #define GRPC_COMBINER_REF(combiner, reason) \
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/error.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/error.c
index 68884226b55..a95929a1fb5 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/error.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/error.c
@@ -30,10 +30,15 @@
 #include <grpc/support/log_windows.h>
 #endif
 
+#include "src/core/lib/debug/trace.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/error_internal.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/profiling/timers.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/slice/slice_internal.h"
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_error_refcount = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
+#endif
+
 static const char *error_int_name(grpc_error_ints key) {
   switch (key) {
     case GRPC_ERROR_INT_ERRNO:
@@ -119,14 +124,14 @@ bool grpc_error_is_special(grpc_error *err) {
          err == GRPC_ERROR_CANCELLED;
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_ERROR_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-grpc_error *grpc_error_ref(grpc_error *err, const char *file, int line,
-                           const char *func) {
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+grpc_error *grpc_error_ref(grpc_error *err, const char *file, int line) {
   if (grpc_error_is_special(err)) return err;
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%p: %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " [%s:%d %s]", err,
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&err->atomics.refs.count),
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&err->atomics.refs.count) + 1, file, line,
-          func);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_error_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%p: %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " [%s:%d]", err,
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&err->atomics.refs.count),
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&err->atomics.refs.count) + 1, file, line);
+  }
   gpr_ref(&err->atomics.refs);
   return err;
 }
@@ -172,14 +177,14 @@ static void error_destroy(grpc_error *err) {
   gpr_free(err);
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_ERROR_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-void grpc_error_unref(grpc_error *err, const char *file, int line,
-                      const char *func) {
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+void grpc_error_unref(grpc_error *err, const char *file, int line) {
   if (grpc_error_is_special(err)) return;
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%p: %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " [%s:%d %s]", err,
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&err->atomics.refs.count),
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&err->atomics.refs.count) - 1, file, line,
-          func);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_error_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%p: %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " [%s:%d]", err,
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&err->atomics.refs.count),
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&err->atomics.refs.count) - 1, file, line);
+  }
   if (gpr_unref(&err->atomics.refs)) {
     error_destroy(err);
   }
@@ -202,13 +207,17 @@ static uint8_t get_placement(grpc_error **err, size_t size) {
     if ((*err)->arena_size + slots > (*err)->arena_capacity) {
       return UINT8_MAX;
     }
-#ifdef GRPC_ERROR_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
     grpc_error *orig = *err;
 #endif
     *err = gpr_realloc(
         *err, sizeof(grpc_error) + (*err)->arena_capacity * sizeof(intptr_t));
-#ifdef GRPC_ERROR_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-    if (*err != orig) gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "realloc %p -> %p", orig, *err);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+    if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_error_refcount)) {
+      if (*err != orig) {
+        gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "realloc %p -> %p", orig, *err);
+      }
+    }
 #endif
   }
   uint8_t placement = (*err)->arena_size;
@@ -316,8 +325,10 @@ grpc_error *grpc_error_create(const char *file, int line, grpc_slice desc,
   if (err == NULL) {  // TODO(ctiller): make gpr_malloc return NULL
     return GRPC_ERROR_OOM;
   }
-#ifdef GRPC_ERROR_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%p create [%s:%d]", err, file, line);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_error_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%p create [%s:%d]", err, file, line);
+  }
 #endif
 
   err->arena_size = 0;
@@ -395,8 +406,10 @@ static grpc_error *copy_error_and_unref(grpc_error *in) {
       new_arena_capacity = (uint8_t)(3 * new_arena_capacity / 2);
     }
     out = gpr_malloc(sizeof(*in) + new_arena_capacity * sizeof(intptr_t));
-#ifdef GRPC_ERROR_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%p create copying %p", out, in);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+    if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_error_refcount)) {
+      gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%p create copying %p", out, in);
+    }
 #endif
     // bulk memcpy of the rest of the struct.
     size_t skip = sizeof(&out->atomics);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/error.h b/src/core/lib/iomgr/error.h
index 1ce916f2ec5..b3629486918 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/error.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/error.h
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@
 #include <grpc/status.h>
 #include <grpc/support/time.h>
 
+#include "src/core/lib/debug/trace.h"
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
 #endif
@@ -36,6 +38,10 @@ extern "C" {
 
 typedef struct grpc_error grpc_error;
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_error_refcount;
+#endif
+
 typedef enum {
   /// 'errno' from the operating system
   GRPC_ERROR_INT_ERRNO,
@@ -149,15 +155,11 @@ grpc_error *grpc_error_create(const char *file, int line, grpc_slice desc,
   grpc_error_create(__FILE__, __LINE__, grpc_slice_from_copied_string(desc), \
                     errs, count)
 
-// #define GRPC_ERROR_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-#ifdef GRPC_ERROR_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-grpc_error *grpc_error_ref(grpc_error *err, const char *file, int line,
-                           const char *func);
-void grpc_error_unref(grpc_error *err, const char *file, int line,
-                      const char *func);
-#define GRPC_ERROR_REF(err) grpc_error_ref(err, __FILE__, __LINE__, __func__)
-#define GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(err) \
-  grpc_error_unref(err, __FILE__, __LINE__, __func__)
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+grpc_error *grpc_error_ref(grpc_error *err, const char *file, int line);
+void grpc_error_unref(grpc_error *err, const char *file, int line);
+#define GRPC_ERROR_REF(err) grpc_error_ref(err, __FILE__, __LINE__)
+#define GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(err) grpc_error_unref(err, __FILE__, __LINE__)
 #else
 grpc_error *grpc_error_ref(grpc_error *err);
 void grpc_error_unref(grpc_error *err);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epoll1_linux.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epoll1_linux.c
index e0c05457e35..66ba601adb9 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epoll1_linux.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epoll1_linux.c
@@ -194,8 +194,10 @@ static grpc_fd *fd_create(int fd, const char *name) {
   char *fd_name;
   gpr_asprintf(&fd_name, "%s fd=%d", name, fd);
   grpc_iomgr_register_object(&new_fd->iomgr_object, fd_name);
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p create %s", fd, (void *)new_fd, fd_name);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_fd_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p create %s", fd, new_fd, fd_name);
+  }
 #endif
   gpr_free(fd_name);
 
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epoll_limited_pollers_linux.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epoll_limited_pollers_linux.c
index 761e2ed5fee..2c91ad357cc 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epoll_limited_pollers_linux.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epoll_limited_pollers_linux.c
@@ -147,8 +147,7 @@ struct grpc_fd {
 };
 
 /* Reference counting for fds */
-// #define GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 static void fd_ref(grpc_fd *fd, const char *reason, const char *file, int line);
 static void fd_unref(grpc_fd *fd, const char *reason, const char *file,
                      int line);
@@ -168,20 +167,18 @@ static void fd_global_shutdown(void);
  * Polling island Declarations
  */
 
-//#define PI_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-
-#ifdef PI_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 
 #define PI_ADD_REF(p, r) pi_add_ref_dbg((p), (r), __FILE__, __LINE__)
 #define PI_UNREF(exec_ctx, p, r) \
   pi_unref_dbg((exec_ctx), (p), (r), __FILE__, __LINE__)
 
-#else /* defined(PI_REFCOUNT_DEBUG) */
+#else
 
 #define PI_ADD_REF(p, r) pi_add_ref((p))
 #define PI_UNREF(exec_ctx, p, r) pi_unref((exec_ctx), (p))
 
-#endif /* !defined(GRPC_PI_REF_COUNT_DEBUG) */
+#endif
 
 typedef struct worker_node {
   struct worker_node *next;
@@ -313,21 +310,27 @@ gpr_atm g_epoll_sync;
 static void pi_add_ref(polling_island *pi);
 static void pi_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, polling_island *pi);
 
-#ifdef PI_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 static void pi_add_ref_dbg(polling_island *pi, const char *reason,
                            const char *file, int line) {
-  long old_cnt = gpr_atm_acq_load(&pi->ref_count);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_polling_trace)) {
+    gpr_atm old_cnt = gpr_atm_acq_load(&pi->ref_count);
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "Add ref pi: %p, old:%" PRIdPTR " -> new:%" PRIdPTR
+                       " (%s) - (%s, %d)",
+            pi, old_cnt, old_cnt + 1, reason, file, line);
+  }
   pi_add_ref(pi);
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "Add ref pi: %p, old: %ld -> new:%ld (%s) - (%s, %d)",
-          (void *)pi, old_cnt, old_cnt + 1, reason, file, line);
 }
 
 static void pi_unref_dbg(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, polling_island *pi,
                          const char *reason, const char *file, int line) {
-  long old_cnt = gpr_atm_acq_load(&pi->ref_count);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_polling_trace)) {
+    gpr_atm old_cnt = gpr_atm_acq_load(&pi->ref_count);
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "Unref pi: %p, old:%" PRIdPTR " -> new:%" PRIdPTR
+                       " (%s) - (%s, %d)",
+            pi, old_cnt, (old_cnt - 1), reason, file, line);
+  }
   pi_unref(exec_ctx, pi);
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "Unref pi: %p, old:%ld -> new:%ld (%s) - (%s, %d)",
-          (void *)pi, old_cnt, (old_cnt - 1), reason, file, line);
 }
 #endif
 
@@ -792,14 +795,17 @@ static void polling_island_global_shutdown() {
 static grpc_fd *fd_freelist = NULL;
 static gpr_mu fd_freelist_mu;
 
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define REF_BY(fd, n, reason) ref_by(fd, n, reason, __FILE__, __LINE__)
 #define UNREF_BY(fd, n, reason) unref_by(fd, n, reason, __FILE__, __LINE__)
 static void ref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n, const char *reason, const char *file,
                    int line) {
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p   ref %d %ld -> %ld [%s; %s:%d]", fd->fd,
-          (void *)fd, n, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) + n, reason, file, line);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_fd_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG,
+            "FD %d %p   ref %d %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " [%s; %s:%d]",
+            fd->fd, fd, n, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) + n, reason, file, line);
+  }
 #else
 #define REF_BY(fd, n, reason) ref_by(fd, n)
 #define UNREF_BY(fd, n, reason) unref_by(fd, n)
@@ -808,18 +814,19 @@ static void ref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n) {
   GPR_ASSERT(gpr_atm_no_barrier_fetch_add(&fd->refst, n) > 0);
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 static void unref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n, const char *reason, const char *file,
                      int line) {
-  gpr_atm old;
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p unref %d %ld -> %ld [%s; %s:%d]", fd->fd,
-          (void *)fd, n, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) - n, reason, file, line);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_fd_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG,
+            "FD %d %p unref %d %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " [%s; %s:%d]",
+            fd->fd, fd, n, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) - n, reason, file, line);
+  }
 #else
 static void unref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n) {
-  gpr_atm old;
 #endif
-  old = gpr_atm_full_fetch_add(&fd->refst, -n);
+  gpr_atm old = gpr_atm_full_fetch_add(&fd->refst, -n);
   if (old == n) {
     /* Add the fd to the freelist */
     gpr_mu_lock(&fd_freelist_mu);
@@ -837,7 +844,7 @@ static void unref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n) {
 }
 
 /* Increment refcount by two to avoid changing the orphan bit */
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 static void fd_ref(grpc_fd *fd, const char *reason, const char *file,
                    int line) {
   ref_by(fd, 2, reason, file, line);
@@ -905,8 +912,10 @@ static grpc_fd *fd_create(int fd, const char *name) {
   char *fd_name;
   gpr_asprintf(&fd_name, "%s fd=%d", name, fd);
   grpc_iomgr_register_object(&new_fd->iomgr_object, fd_name);
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p create %s", fd, (void *)new_fd, fd_name);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_fd_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p create %s", fd, new_fd, fd_name);
+  }
 #endif
   gpr_free(fd_name);
   return new_fd;
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epoll_thread_pool_linux.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epoll_thread_pool_linux.c
index 0ab35948180..49be72c03e0 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epoll_thread_pool_linux.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epoll_thread_pool_linux.c
@@ -93,20 +93,18 @@ static void fd_global_shutdown(void);
  * epoll set Declarations
  */
 
-//#define EPS_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-
-#ifdef EPS_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 
 #define EPS_ADD_REF(p, r) eps_add_ref_dbg((p), (r), __FILE__, __LINE__)
 #define EPS_UNREF(exec_ctx, p, r) \
   eps_unref_dbg((exec_ctx), (p), (r), __FILE__, __LINE__)
 
-#else /* defined(EPS_REFCOUNT_DEBUG) */
+#else
 
 #define EPS_ADD_REF(p, r) eps_add_ref((p))
 #define EPS_UNREF(exec_ctx, p, r) eps_unref((exec_ctx), (p))
 
-#endif /* !defined(GRPC_EPS_REF_COUNT_DEBUG) */
+#endif
 
 typedef struct epoll_set {
   /* Mutex poller should acquire to poll this. This enforces that only one
@@ -226,21 +224,27 @@ gpr_atm g_epoll_sync;
 static void eps_add_ref(epoll_set *eps);
 static void eps_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, epoll_set *eps);
 
-#ifdef EPS_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 static void eps_add_ref_dbg(epoll_set *eps, const char *reason,
                             const char *file, int line) {
-  long old_cnt = gpr_atm_acq_load(&eps->ref_count);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_polling_trace)) {
+    gpr_atm old_cnt = gpr_atm_acq_load(&eps->ref_count);
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "Add ref eps: %p, old:%" PRIdPTR " -> new:%" PRIdPTR
+                       " (%s) - (%s, %d)",
+            eps, old_cnt, old_cnt + 1, reason, file, line);
+  }
   eps_add_ref(eps);
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "Add ref eps: %p, old: %ld -> new:%ld (%s) - (%s, %d)",
-          (void *)eps, old_cnt, old_cnt + 1, reason, file, line);
 }
 
 static void eps_unref_dbg(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, epoll_set *eps,
                           const char *reason, const char *file, int line) {
-  long old_cnt = gpr_atm_acq_load(&eps->ref_count);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_polling_trace)) {
+    gpr_atm old_cnt = gpr_atm_acq_load(&eps->ref_count);
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "Unref eps: %p, old:%" PRIdPTR " -> new:%" PRIdPTR
+                       " (%s) - (%s, %d)",
+            eps, old_cnt, (old_cnt - 1), reason, file, line);
+  }
   eps_unref(exec_ctx, eps);
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "Unref eps: %p, old:%ld -> new:%ld (%s) - (%s, %d)",
-          (void *)eps, old_cnt, (old_cnt - 1), reason, file, line);
 }
 #endif
 
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epollex_linux.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epollex_linux.c
index 949f8a845d4..55748381876 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epollex_linux.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epollex_linux.c
@@ -231,15 +231,18 @@ static bool append_error(grpc_error **composite, grpc_error *error,
 static grpc_fd *fd_freelist = NULL;
 static gpr_mu fd_freelist_mu;
 
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define REF_BY(fd, n, reason) ref_by(fd, n, reason, __FILE__, __LINE__)
 #define UNREF_BY(ec, fd, n, reason) \
   unref_by(ec, fd, n, reason, __FILE__, __LINE__)
 static void ref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n, const char *reason, const char *file,
                    int line) {
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p   ref %d %ld -> %ld [%s; %s:%d]", fd->fd,
-          (void *)fd, n, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) + n, reason, file, line);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_fd_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG,
+            "FD %d %p   ref %d %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " [%s; %s:%d]",
+            fd->fd, fd, n, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) + n, reason, file, line);
+  }
 #else
 #define REF_BY(fd, n, reason) ref_by(fd, n)
 #define UNREF_BY(ec, fd, n, reason) unref_by(ec, fd, n)
@@ -264,18 +267,19 @@ static void fd_destroy(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg, grpc_error *error) {
   gpr_mu_unlock(&fd_freelist_mu);
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 static void unref_by(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_fd *fd, int n,
                      const char *reason, const char *file, int line) {
-  gpr_atm old;
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p unref %d %ld -> %ld [%s; %s:%d]", fd->fd,
-          (void *)fd, n, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) - n, reason, file, line);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_fd_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG,
+            "FD %d %p unref %d %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " [%s; %s:%d]",
+            fd->fd, fd, n, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) - n, reason, file, line);
+  }
 #else
 static void unref_by(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_fd *fd, int n) {
-  gpr_atm old;
 #endif
-  old = gpr_atm_full_fetch_add(&fd->refst, -n);
+  gpr_atm old = gpr_atm_full_fetch_add(&fd->refst, -n);
   if (old == n) {
     GRPC_CLOSURE_SCHED(exec_ctx, GRPC_CLOSURE_CREATE(fd_destroy, fd,
                                                      grpc_schedule_on_exec_ctx),
@@ -328,8 +332,10 @@ static grpc_fd *fd_create(int fd, const char *name) {
   char *fd_name;
   gpr_asprintf(&fd_name, "%s fd=%d", name, fd);
   grpc_iomgr_register_object(&new_fd->iomgr_object, fd_name);
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p create %s", fd, (void *)new_fd, fd_name);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_fd_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p create %s", fd, new_fd, fd_name);
+  }
 #endif
   gpr_free(fd_name);
   return new_fd;
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epollsig_linux.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epollsig_linux.c
index fa4b4e8d0ac..17fef01e6ea 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epollsig_linux.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_epollsig_linux.c
@@ -140,8 +140,7 @@ struct grpc_fd {
 };
 
 /* Reference counting for fds */
-// #define GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 static void fd_ref(grpc_fd *fd, const char *reason, const char *file, int line);
 static void fd_unref(grpc_fd *fd, const char *reason, const char *file,
                      int line);
@@ -161,20 +160,18 @@ static void fd_global_shutdown(void);
  * Polling island Declarations
  */
 
-//#define PI_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-
-#ifdef PI_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 
 #define PI_ADD_REF(p, r) pi_add_ref_dbg((p), (r), __FILE__, __LINE__)
 #define PI_UNREF(exec_ctx, p, r) \
   pi_unref_dbg((exec_ctx), (p), (r), __FILE__, __LINE__)
 
-#else /* defined(GRPC_WORKQUEUE_REFCOUNT_DEBUG) */
+#else
 
 #define PI_ADD_REF(p, r) pi_add_ref((p))
 #define PI_UNREF(exec_ctx, p, r) pi_unref((exec_ctx), (p))
 
-#endif /* !defined(GRPC_PI_REF_COUNT_DEBUG) */
+#endif
 
 /* This is also used as grpc_workqueue (by directly casing it) */
 typedef struct polling_island {
@@ -287,21 +284,27 @@ gpr_atm g_epoll_sync;
 static void pi_add_ref(polling_island *pi);
 static void pi_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, polling_island *pi);
 
-#ifdef PI_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 static void pi_add_ref_dbg(polling_island *pi, const char *reason,
                            const char *file, int line) {
-  long old_cnt = gpr_atm_acq_load(&pi->ref_count);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_polling_trace)) {
+    gpr_atm old_cnt = gpr_atm_acq_load(&pi->ref_count);
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "Add ref pi: %p, old:%" PRIdPTR " -> new:%" PRIdPTR
+                       " (%s) - (%s, %d)",
+            pi, old_cnt, old_cnt + 1, reason, file, line);
+  }
   pi_add_ref(pi);
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "Add ref pi: %p, old: %ld -> new:%ld (%s) - (%s, %d)",
-          (void *)pi, old_cnt, old_cnt + 1, reason, file, line);
 }
 
 static void pi_unref_dbg(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, polling_island *pi,
                          const char *reason, const char *file, int line) {
-  long old_cnt = gpr_atm_acq_load(&pi->ref_count);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_polling_trace)) {
+    gpr_atm old_cnt = gpr_atm_acq_load(&pi->ref_count);
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "Unref pi: %p, old:%" PRIdPTR " -> new:%" PRIdPTR
+                       " (%s) - (%s, %d)",
+            pi, old_cnt, (old_cnt - 1), reason, file, line);
+  }
   pi_unref(exec_ctx, pi);
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "Unref pi: %p, old:%ld -> new:%ld (%s) - (%s, %d)",
-          (void *)pi, old_cnt, (old_cnt - 1), reason, file, line);
 }
 #endif
 
@@ -720,14 +723,17 @@ static void polling_island_global_shutdown() {
 static grpc_fd *fd_freelist = NULL;
 static gpr_mu fd_freelist_mu;
 
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define REF_BY(fd, n, reason) ref_by(fd, n, reason, __FILE__, __LINE__)
 #define UNREF_BY(fd, n, reason) unref_by(fd, n, reason, __FILE__, __LINE__)
 static void ref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n, const char *reason, const char *file,
                    int line) {
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p   ref %d %ld -> %ld [%s; %s:%d]", fd->fd,
-          (void *)fd, n, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) + n, reason, file, line);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_fd_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG,
+            "FD %d %p   ref %d %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " [%s; %s:%d]",
+            fd->fd, fd, n, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) + n, reason, file, line);
+  }
 #else
 #define REF_BY(fd, n, reason) ref_by(fd, n)
 #define UNREF_BY(fd, n, reason) unref_by(fd, n)
@@ -736,18 +742,19 @@ static void ref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n) {
   GPR_ASSERT(gpr_atm_no_barrier_fetch_add(&fd->refst, n) > 0);
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 static void unref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n, const char *reason, const char *file,
                      int line) {
-  gpr_atm old;
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p unref %d %ld -> %ld [%s; %s:%d]", fd->fd,
-          (void *)fd, n, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) - n, reason, file, line);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_fd_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG,
+            "FD %d %p unref %d %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " [%s; %s:%d]",
+            fd->fd, fd, n, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) - n, reason, file, line);
+  }
 #else
 static void unref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n) {
-  gpr_atm old;
 #endif
-  old = gpr_atm_full_fetch_add(&fd->refst, -n);
+  gpr_atm old = gpr_atm_full_fetch_add(&fd->refst, -n);
   if (old == n) {
     /* Add the fd to the freelist */
     gpr_mu_lock(&fd_freelist_mu);
@@ -765,7 +772,7 @@ static void unref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n) {
 }
 
 /* Increment refcount by two to avoid changing the orphan bit */
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 static void fd_ref(grpc_fd *fd, const char *reason, const char *file,
                    int line) {
   ref_by(fd, 2, reason, file, line);
@@ -833,8 +840,10 @@ static grpc_fd *fd_create(int fd, const char *name) {
   char *fd_name;
   gpr_asprintf(&fd_name, "%s fd=%d", name, fd);
   grpc_iomgr_register_object(&new_fd->iomgr_object, fd_name);
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p create %s", fd, (void *)new_fd, fd_name);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_fd_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p create %s", fd, new_fd, fd_name);
+  }
 #endif
   gpr_free(fd_name);
   return new_fd;
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_poll_posix.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_poll_posix.c
index d1a27b82287..1f66159c4a1 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_poll_posix.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_poll_posix.c
@@ -134,9 +134,7 @@ static void fd_end_poll(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_fd_watcher *rec,
 /* Return 1 if this fd is orphaned, 0 otherwise */
 static bool fd_is_orphaned(grpc_fd *fd);
 
-/* Reference counting for fds */
-//#define GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 static void fd_ref(grpc_fd *fd, const char *reason, const char *file, int line);
 static void fd_unref(grpc_fd *fd, const char *reason, const char *file,
                      int line);
@@ -263,14 +261,17 @@ cv_fd_table g_cvfds;
  * fd_posix.c
  */
 
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define REF_BY(fd, n, reason) ref_by(fd, n, reason, __FILE__, __LINE__)
 #define UNREF_BY(fd, n, reason) unref_by(fd, n, reason, __FILE__, __LINE__)
 static void ref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n, const char *reason, const char *file,
                    int line) {
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p   ref %d %d -> %d [%s; %s:%d]", fd->fd, fd, n,
-          (int)gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
-          (int)gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) + n, reason, file, line);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_fd_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG,
+            "FD %d %p   ref %d %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " [%s; %s:%d]",
+            fd->fd, fd, n, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) + n, reason, file, line);
+  }
 #else
 #define REF_BY(fd, n, reason) ref_by(fd, n)
 #define UNREF_BY(fd, n, reason) unref_by(fd, n)
@@ -279,18 +280,19 @@ static void ref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n) {
   GPR_ASSERT(gpr_atm_no_barrier_fetch_add(&fd->refst, n) > 0);
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 static void unref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n, const char *reason, const char *file,
                      int line) {
-  gpr_atm old;
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p unref %d %d -> %d [%s; %s:%d]", fd->fd, fd, n,
-          (int)gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
-          (int)gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) - n, reason, file, line);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_fd_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG,
+            "FD %d %p unref %d %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " [%s; %s:%d]",
+            fd->fd, fd, n, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst),
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&fd->refst) - n, reason, file, line);
+  }
 #else
 static void unref_by(grpc_fd *fd, int n) {
-  gpr_atm old;
 #endif
-  old = gpr_atm_full_fetch_add(&fd->refst, -n);
+  gpr_atm old = gpr_atm_full_fetch_add(&fd->refst, -n);
   if (old == n) {
     gpr_mu_destroy(&fd->mu);
     grpc_iomgr_unregister_object(&fd->iomgr_object);
@@ -321,8 +323,10 @@ static grpc_fd *fd_create(int fd, const char *name) {
   gpr_asprintf(&name2, "%s fd=%d", name, fd);
   grpc_iomgr_register_object(&r->iomgr_object, name2);
   gpr_free(name2);
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p create %s", fd, r, name);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_fd_refcount)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "FD %d %p create %s", fd, r, name);
+  }
 #endif
   return r;
 }
@@ -417,7 +421,7 @@ static void fd_orphan(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_fd *fd,
 }
 
 /* increment refcount by two to avoid changing the orphan bit */
-#ifdef GRPC_FD_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 static void fd_ref(grpc_fd *fd, const char *reason, const char *file,
                    int line) {
   ref_by(fd, 2, reason, file, line);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_posix.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_posix.c
index dacdb9f4da6..2648df393d7 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_posix.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/ev_posix.c
@@ -41,6 +41,10 @@
 grpc_tracer_flag grpc_polling_trace =
     GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false); /* Disabled by default */
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_fd_refcount = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
+#endif
+
 /** Default poll() function - a pointer so that it can be overridden by some
  *  tests */
 grpc_poll_function_type grpc_poll_function = poll;
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/exec_ctx.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/exec_ctx.c
index 51c36216c5d..833170ceed5 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/exec_ctx.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/exec_ctx.c
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ bool grpc_exec_ctx_flush(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx) {
         grpc_closure *next = c->next_data.next;
         grpc_error *error = c->error_data.error;
         did_something = true;
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
         c->scheduled = false;
 #endif
         c->cb(exec_ctx, c->cb_arg, error);
@@ -85,10 +85,21 @@ void grpc_exec_ctx_finish(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx) {
 
 static void exec_ctx_run(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_closure *closure,
                          grpc_error *error) {
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
   closure->scheduled = false;
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_closure)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "running closure %p: created [%s:%d]: %s [%s:%d]",
+            closure, closure->file_created, closure->line_created,
+            closure->run ? "run" : "scheduled", closure->file_initiated,
+            closure->line_initiated);
+  }
 #endif
   closure->cb(exec_ctx, closure->cb_arg, error);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_closure)) {
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "closure %p finished", closure);
+  }
+#endif
   GRPC_ERROR_UNREF(error);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/executor.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/executor.c
index fda274e7978..7621a7fe75a 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/executor.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/executor.c
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ static size_t run_closures(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_closure_list list) {
   while (c != NULL) {
     grpc_closure *next = c->next_data.next;
     grpc_error *error = c->error_data.error;
-#ifdef GRPC_CLOSURE_RICH_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
     c->scheduled = false;
 #endif
     c->cb(exec_ctx, c->cb_arg, error);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset.h b/src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset.h
index 3ff878e5960..a609a3877a7 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset.h
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@
 
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/exec_ctx.h"
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_fd_refcount;
+#endif
+
 /* A grpc_pollset is a set of file descriptors that a higher level item is
    interested in. For example:
     - a server will typically keep a pollset containing all connected channels,
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset_uv.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset_uv.c
index 07c7c045591..1a54065a914 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset_uv.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset_uv.c
@@ -31,6 +31,12 @@
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset_uv.h"
 
+#include "src/core/lib/debug/trace.h"
+
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_fd_refcount = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
+#endif
+
 struct grpc_pollset {
   uv_timer_t timer;
   int shutting_down;
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset_windows.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset_windows.c
index d5a03732cbe..1bfc2a22a8b 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset_windows.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset_windows.c
@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@
 
 #define GRPC_POLLSET_KICK_BROADCAST ((grpc_pollset_worker *)1)
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_fd_refcount = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
+#endif
+
 gpr_mu grpc_polling_mu;
 static grpc_pollset_worker *g_active_poller;
 static grpc_pollset_worker g_global_root_worker;
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/tcp_posix.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/tcp_posix.c
index 66e81bf81f7..5de2b0f4ee0 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/tcp_posix.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/tcp_posix.c
@@ -163,15 +163,18 @@ static void tcp_free(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_tcp *tcp) {
   gpr_free(tcp);
 }
 
-/*#define GRPC_TCP_REFCOUNT_DEBUG*/
-#ifdef GRPC_TCP_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define TCP_UNREF(cl, tcp, reason) \
   tcp_unref((cl), (tcp), (reason), __FILE__, __LINE__)
 #define TCP_REF(tcp, reason) tcp_ref((tcp), (reason), __FILE__, __LINE__)
 static void tcp_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_tcp *tcp,
                       const char *reason, const char *file, int line) {
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG, "TCP unref %p : %s %d -> %d", tcp,
-          reason, tcp->refcount.count, tcp->refcount.count - 1);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_tcp_trace)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&tcp->refcount.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "TCP unref %p : %s %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR, tcp, reason, val,
+            val - 1);
+  }
   if (gpr_unref(&tcp->refcount)) {
     tcp_free(exec_ctx, tcp);
   }
@@ -179,8 +182,12 @@ static void tcp_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_tcp *tcp,
 
 static void tcp_ref(grpc_tcp *tcp, const char *reason, const char *file,
                     int line) {
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG, "TCP   ref %p : %s %d -> %d", tcp,
-          reason, tcp->refcount.count, tcp->refcount.count + 1);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_tcp_trace)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&tcp->refcount.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "TCP   ref %p : %s %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR, tcp, reason, val,
+            val + 1);
+  }
   gpr_ref(&tcp->refcount);
 }
 #else
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/tcp_uv.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/tcp_uv.c
index ab5bb9f7dac..7c21b44e76c 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/tcp_uv.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/tcp_uv.c
@@ -69,16 +69,18 @@ static void tcp_free(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_tcp *tcp) {
   gpr_free(tcp);
 }
 
-/*#define GRPC_TCP_REFCOUNT_DEBUG*/
-#ifdef GRPC_TCP_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define TCP_UNREF(exec_ctx, tcp, reason) \
   tcp_unref((exec_ctx), (tcp), (reason), __FILE__, __LINE__)
 #define TCP_REF(tcp, reason) tcp_ref((tcp), (reason), __FILE__, __LINE__)
 static void tcp_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_tcp *tcp,
                       const char *reason, const char *file, int line) {
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
-          "TCP unref %p : %s %" PRIiPTR " -> %" PRIiPTR, tcp, reason,
-          tcp->refcount.count, tcp->refcount.count - 1);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_tcp_trace)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&tcp->refcount.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "TCP unref %p : %s %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR, tcp, reason, val,
+            val - 1);
+  }
   if (gpr_unref(&tcp->refcount)) {
     tcp_free(exec_ctx, tcp);
   }
@@ -86,9 +88,12 @@ static void tcp_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_tcp *tcp,
 
 static void tcp_ref(grpc_tcp *tcp, const char *reason, const char *file,
                     int line) {
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
-          "TCP   ref %p : %s %" PRIiPTR " -> %" PRIiPTR, tcp, reason,
-          tcp->refcount.count, tcp->refcount.count + 1);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_tcp_trace)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&tcp->refcount.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "TCP   ref %p : %s %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR, tcp, reason, val,
+            val + 1);
+  }
   gpr_ref(&tcp->refcount);
 }
 #else
diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/tcp_windows.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/tcp_windows.c
index 161b3975349..6704a158ceb 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/tcp_windows.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/tcp_windows.c
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@
 #define GRPC_FIONBIO FIONBIO
 #endif
 
+grpc_tracer_flag grpc_tcp_trace = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
+
 static grpc_error *set_non_block(SOCKET sock) {
   int status;
   uint32_t param = 1;
@@ -115,15 +117,18 @@ static void tcp_free(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_tcp *tcp) {
   gpr_free(tcp);
 }
 
-/*#define GRPC_TCP_REFCOUNT_DEBUG*/
-#ifdef GRPC_TCP_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define TCP_UNREF(exec_ctx, tcp, reason) \
   tcp_unref((exec_ctx), (tcp), (reason), __FILE__, __LINE__)
 #define TCP_REF(tcp, reason) tcp_ref((tcp), (reason), __FILE__, __LINE__)
 static void tcp_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_tcp *tcp,
                       const char *reason, const char *file, int line) {
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG, "TCP unref %p : %s %d -> %d", tcp,
-          reason, tcp->refcount.count, tcp->refcount.count - 1);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_tcp_trace)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&tcp->refcount.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "TCP unref %p : %s %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR, tcp, reason, val,
+            val - 1);
+  }
   if (gpr_unref(&tcp->refcount)) {
     tcp_free(exec_ctx, tcp);
   }
@@ -131,8 +136,12 @@ static void tcp_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_tcp *tcp,
 
 static void tcp_ref(grpc_tcp *tcp, const char *reason, const char *file,
                     int line) {
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG, "TCP   ref %p : %s %d -> %d", tcp,
-          reason, tcp->refcount.count, tcp->refcount.count + 1);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_tcp_trace)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&tcp->refcount.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "TCP   ref %p : %s %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR, tcp, reason, val,
+            val + 1);
+  }
   gpr_ref(&tcp->refcount);
 }
 #else
diff --git a/src/core/lib/security/context/security_context.c b/src/core/lib/security/context/security_context.c
index 02b6d0164b3..dffe6d2e912 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/security/context/security_context.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/security/context/security_context.c
@@ -29,6 +29,11 @@
 #include <grpc/support/log.h>
 #include <grpc/support/string_util.h>
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_auth_context_refcount =
+    GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
+#endif
+
 /* --- grpc_call --- */
 
 grpc_call_error grpc_call_set_credentials(grpc_call *call,
@@ -122,14 +127,17 @@ grpc_auth_context *grpc_auth_context_create(grpc_auth_context *chained) {
   return ctx;
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_AUTH_CONTEXT_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 grpc_auth_context *grpc_auth_context_ref(grpc_auth_context *ctx,
                                          const char *file, int line,
                                          const char *reason) {
   if (ctx == NULL) return NULL;
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
-          "AUTH_CONTEXT:%p   ref %d -> %d %s", ctx, (int)ctx->refcount.count,
-          (int)ctx->refcount.count + 1, reason);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_auth_context_refcount)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&ctx->refcount.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "AUTH_CONTEXT:%p   ref %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " %s", ctx, val,
+            val + 1, reason);
+  }
 #else
 grpc_auth_context *grpc_auth_context_ref(grpc_auth_context *ctx) {
   if (ctx == NULL) return NULL;
@@ -138,13 +146,16 @@ grpc_auth_context *grpc_auth_context_ref(grpc_auth_context *ctx) {
   return ctx;
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_AUTH_CONTEXT_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_auth_context_unref(grpc_auth_context *ctx, const char *file, int line,
                              const char *reason) {
   if (ctx == NULL) return;
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
-          "AUTH_CONTEXT:%p unref %d -> %d %s", ctx, (int)ctx->refcount.count,
-          (int)ctx->refcount.count - 1, reason);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_auth_context_refcount)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&ctx->refcount.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "AUTH_CONTEXT:%p unref %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " %s", ctx, val,
+            val - 1, reason);
+  }
 #else
 void grpc_auth_context_unref(grpc_auth_context *ctx) {
   if (ctx == NULL) return;
diff --git a/src/core/lib/security/context/security_context.h b/src/core/lib/security/context/security_context.h
index 102f9d6e2ff..0df39257a7a 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/security/context/security_context.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/security/context/security_context.h
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/pollset.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/security/credentials/credentials.h"
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_auth_context_refcount;
+#endif
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
 #endif
@@ -50,7 +54,7 @@ struct grpc_auth_context {
 grpc_auth_context *grpc_auth_context_create(grpc_auth_context *chained);
 
 /* Refcounting. */
-#ifdef GRPC_AUTH_CONTEXT_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define GRPC_AUTH_CONTEXT_REF(p, r) \
   grpc_auth_context_ref((p), __FILE__, __LINE__, (r))
 #define GRPC_AUTH_CONTEXT_UNREF(p, r) \
diff --git a/src/core/lib/security/transport/secure_endpoint.c b/src/core/lib/security/transport/secure_endpoint.c
index 140cf294aed..f4ed81db1a0 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/security/transport/secure_endpoint.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/security/transport/secure_endpoint.c
@@ -75,18 +75,20 @@ static void destroy(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, secure_endpoint *secure_ep) {
   gpr_free(ep);
 }
 
-/*#define GRPC_SECURE_ENDPOINT_REFCOUNT_DEBUG*/
-#ifdef GRPC_SECURE_ENDPOINT_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define SECURE_ENDPOINT_UNREF(exec_ctx, ep, reason) \
   secure_endpoint_unref((exec_ctx), (ep), (reason), __FILE__, __LINE__)
 #define SECURE_ENDPOINT_REF(ep, reason) \
   secure_endpoint_ref((ep), (reason), __FILE__, __LINE__)
-static void secure_endpoint_unref(secure_endpoint *ep,
-                                  grpc_closure_list *closure_list,
+static void secure_endpoint_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, secure_endpoint *ep,
                                   const char *reason, const char *file,
                                   int line) {
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG, "SECENDP unref %p : %s %d -> %d",
-          ep, reason, ep->ref.count, ep->ref.count - 1);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_secure_endpoint)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&ep->ref.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "SECENDP unref %p : %s %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR, ep, reason, val,
+            val - 1);
+  }
   if (gpr_unref(&ep->ref)) {
     destroy(exec_ctx, ep);
   }
@@ -94,8 +96,12 @@ static void secure_endpoint_unref(secure_endpoint *ep,
 
 static void secure_endpoint_ref(secure_endpoint *ep, const char *reason,
                                 const char *file, int line) {
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG, "SECENDP   ref %p : %s %d -> %d",
-          ep, reason, ep->ref.count, ep->ref.count + 1);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_secure_endpoint)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&ep->ref.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "SECENDP   ref %p : %s %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR, ep, reason, val,
+            val + 1);
+  }
   gpr_ref(&ep->ref);
 }
 #else
diff --git a/src/core/lib/security/transport/security_connector.c b/src/core/lib/security/transport/security_connector.c
index 9934d57ee62..3c0c24254b7 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/security/transport/security_connector.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/security/transport/security_connector.c
@@ -43,6 +43,11 @@
 #include "src/core/tsi/ssl_transport_security.h"
 #include "src/core/tsi/transport_security_adapter.h"
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_security_connector_refcount =
+    GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
+#endif
+
 /* -- Constants. -- */
 
 #ifndef INSTALL_PREFIX
@@ -142,14 +147,17 @@ void grpc_channel_security_connector_check_call_host(
   }
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_SECURITY_CONNECTOR_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 grpc_security_connector *grpc_security_connector_ref(
     grpc_security_connector *sc, const char *file, int line,
     const char *reason) {
   if (sc == NULL) return NULL;
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
-          "SECURITY_CONNECTOR:%p   ref %d -> %d %s", sc,
-          (int)sc->refcount.count, (int)sc->refcount.count + 1, reason);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_security_connector_refcount)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&sc->refcount.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "SECURITY_CONNECTOR:%p   ref %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " %s", sc,
+            val, val + 1, reason);
+  }
 #else
 grpc_security_connector *grpc_security_connector_ref(
     grpc_security_connector *sc) {
@@ -159,15 +167,18 @@ grpc_security_connector *grpc_security_connector_ref(
   return sc;
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_SECURITY_CONNECTOR_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_security_connector_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                    grpc_security_connector *sc,
                                    const char *file, int line,
                                    const char *reason) {
   if (sc == NULL) return;
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
-          "SECURITY_CONNECTOR:%p unref %d -> %d %s", sc,
-          (int)sc->refcount.count, (int)sc->refcount.count - 1, reason);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_security_connector_refcount)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&sc->refcount.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "SECURITY_CONNECTOR:%p unref %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " %s", sc,
+            val, val - 1, reason);
+  }
 #else
 void grpc_security_connector_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                                    grpc_security_connector *sc) {
diff --git a/src/core/lib/security/transport/security_connector.h b/src/core/lib/security/transport/security_connector.h
index 24b1086ee3a..1c0fe40045d 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/security/transport/security_connector.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/security/transport/security_connector.h
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@
 #include "src/core/tsi/ssl_transport_security.h"
 #include "src/core/tsi/transport_security_interface.h"
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_security_connector_refcount;
+#endif
+
 /* --- status enum. --- */
 
 typedef enum { GRPC_SECURITY_OK = 0, GRPC_SECURITY_ERROR } grpc_security_status;
@@ -66,7 +70,7 @@ struct grpc_security_connector {
 };
 
 /* Refcounting. */
-#ifdef GRPC_SECURITY_CONNECTOR_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define GRPC_SECURITY_CONNECTOR_REF(p, r) \
   grpc_security_connector_ref((p), __FILE__, __LINE__, (r))
 #define GRPC_SECURITY_CONNECTOR_UNREF(exec_ctx, p, r) \
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/call.c b/src/core/lib/surface/call.c
index b499219e170..bea75bc2d68 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/call.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/call.c
@@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ void grpc_call_set_completion_queue(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_call *call,
       exec_ctx, CALL_STACK_FROM_CALL(call), &call->pollent);
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define REF_REASON reason
 #define REF_ARG , const char *reason
 #else
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/call.h b/src/core/lib/surface/call.h
index 60b661cf8cd..185bfccb77d 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/call.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/call.h
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ grpc_error *grpc_call_create(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
 void grpc_call_set_completion_queue(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_call *call,
                                     grpc_completion_queue *cq);
 
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_call_internal_ref(grpc_call *call, const char *reason);
 void grpc_call_internal_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_call *call,
                               const char *reason);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/channel.c b/src/core/lib/surface/channel.c
index 5647dff28b1..5780a18ce8e 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/channel.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/channel.c
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ grpc_call *grpc_channel_create_registered_call(
   return call;
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define REF_REASON reason
 #define REF_ARG , const char *reason
 #else
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/channel.h b/src/core/lib/surface/channel.h
index 848debc7c58..528bb868e2c 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/channel.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/channel.h
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ grpc_mdelem grpc_channel_get_reffed_status_elem(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
 size_t grpc_channel_get_call_size_estimate(grpc_channel *channel);
 void grpc_channel_update_call_size_estimate(grpc_channel *channel, size_t size);
 
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_channel_internal_ref(grpc_channel *channel, const char *reason);
 void grpc_channel_internal_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_channel *channel,
                                  const char *reason);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/completion_queue.c b/src/core/lib/surface/completion_queue.c
index 1a5c7212148..b04aee6c73b 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/completion_queue.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/completion_queue.c
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
 grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_operation_failures = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
 #ifndef NDEBUG
 grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_pending_tags = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
+grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_cq_refcount = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
 #endif
 
 typedef struct {
@@ -437,12 +438,16 @@ int grpc_get_cq_poll_num(grpc_completion_queue *cc) {
   return cur_num_polls;
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_CQ_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_cq_internal_ref(grpc_completion_queue *cc, const char *reason,
                           const char *file, int line) {
   cq_data *cqd = &cc->data;
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG, "CQ:%p   ref %d -> %d %s", cc,
-          (int)cqd->owning_refs.count, (int)cqd->owning_refs.count + 1, reason);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_cq_refcount)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&cqd->owning_refs.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "CQ:%p   ref %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " %s", cc, val, val + 1,
+            reason);
+  }
 #else
 void grpc_cq_internal_ref(grpc_completion_queue *cc) {
   cq_data *cqd = &cc->data;
@@ -456,12 +461,16 @@ static void on_pollset_shutdown_done(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
   GRPC_CQ_INTERNAL_UNREF(exec_ctx, cc, "pollset_destroy");
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_CQ_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
-void grpc_cq_internal_unref(grpc_completion_queue *cc, const char *reason,
-                            const char *file, int line) {
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+void grpc_cq_internal_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_completion_queue *cc,
+                            const char *reason, const char *file, int line) {
   cq_data *cqd = &cc->data;
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG, "CQ:%p unref %d -> %d %s", cc,
-          (int)cqd->owning_refs.count, (int)cqd->owning_refs.count - 1, reason);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_cq_refcount)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&cqd->owning_refs.count);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "CQ:%p unref %" PRIdPTR " -> %" PRIdPTR " %s", cc, val, val - 1,
+            reason);
+  }
 #else
 void grpc_cq_internal_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                             grpc_completion_queue *cc) {
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/completion_queue.h b/src/core/lib/surface/completion_queue.h
index 49097bac395..97ea9cae209 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/completion_queue.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/completion_queue.h
@@ -30,8 +30,10 @@
 extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_cq_pluck_trace;
 extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_cq_event_timeout_trace;
 extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_operation_failures;
+
 #ifndef NDEBUG
 extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_pending_tags;
+extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_cq_refcount;
 #endif
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
@@ -52,9 +54,7 @@ typedef struct grpc_cq_completion {
   uintptr_t next;
 } grpc_cq_completion;
 
-//#define GRPC_CQ_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
-
-#ifdef GRPC_CQ_REF_COUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_cq_internal_ref(grpc_completion_queue *cc, const char *reason,
                           const char *file, int line);
 void grpc_cq_internal_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_completion_queue *cc,
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/init.c b/src/core/lib/surface/init.c
index 01a1f33db2f..14a86bfa0a8 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/init.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/init.c
@@ -126,18 +126,23 @@ void grpc_init(void) {
     grpc_register_tracer("channel_stack_builder",
                          &grpc_trace_channel_stack_builder);
     grpc_register_tracer("http1", &grpc_http1_trace);
-    grpc_register_tracer("queue_pluck", &grpc_cq_pluck_trace);
+    grpc_register_tracer("queue_pluck", &grpc_cq_pluck_trace);  // default on
     grpc_register_tracer("combiner", &grpc_combiner_trace);
     grpc_register_tracer("server_channel", &grpc_server_channel_trace);
     grpc_register_tracer("bdp_estimator", &grpc_bdp_estimator_trace);
-    // Default pluck trace to 1
-    grpc_register_tracer("queue_timeout", &grpc_cq_event_timeout_trace);
-    // Default timeout trace to 1
+    grpc_register_tracer("queue_timeout",
+                         &grpc_cq_event_timeout_trace);  // default on
     grpc_register_tracer("op_failure", &grpc_trace_operation_failures);
     grpc_register_tracer("resource_quota", &grpc_resource_quota_trace);
     grpc_register_tracer("call_error", &grpc_call_error_trace);
 #ifndef NDEBUG
     grpc_register_tracer("pending_tags", &grpc_trace_pending_tags);
+    grpc_register_tracer("queue_refcount", &grpc_trace_cq_refcount);
+    grpc_register_tracer("closure", &grpc_trace_closure);
+    grpc_register_tracer("error_refcount", &grpc_trace_error_refcount);
+    grpc_register_tracer("stream_refcount", &grpc_trace_stream_refcount);
+    grpc_register_tracer("fd_refcount", &grpc_trace_fd_refcount);
+    grpc_register_tracer("metadata", &grpc_trace_metadata);
 #endif
     grpc_security_pre_init();
     grpc_iomgr_init(&exec_ctx);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/init_secure.c b/src/core/lib/surface/init_secure.c
index fb6635716d1..7dbea581d01 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/init_secure.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/init_secure.c
@@ -32,9 +32,19 @@
 #include "src/core/lib/surface/channel_init.h"
 #include "src/core/tsi/transport_security_interface.h"
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+#include "src/core/lib/security/context/security_context.h"
+#endif
+
 void grpc_security_pre_init(void) {
   grpc_register_tracer("secure_endpoint", &grpc_trace_secure_endpoint);
   grpc_register_tracer("transport_security", &tsi_tracing_enabled);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  grpc_register_tracer("auth_context_refcount",
+                       &grpc_trace_auth_context_refcount);
+  grpc_register_tracer("security_connector_refcount",
+                       &grpc_trace_security_connector_refcount);
+#endif
 }
 
 static bool maybe_prepend_client_auth_filter(
diff --git a/src/core/lib/transport/metadata.c b/src/core/lib/transport/metadata.c
index 94917307193..87a2abf3443 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/transport/metadata.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/transport/metadata.c
@@ -47,7 +47,8 @@
  * used to determine which kind of element a pointer refers to.
  */
 
-#ifdef GRPC_METADATA_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_metadata = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
 #define DEBUG_ARGS , const char *file, int line
 #define FWD_DEBUG_ARGS , file, line
 #define REF_MD_LOCKED(shard, s) ref_md_locked((shard), (s), __FILE__, __LINE__)
@@ -144,15 +145,17 @@ static int is_mdelem_static(grpc_mdelem e) {
 
 static void ref_md_locked(mdtab_shard *shard,
                           interned_metadata *md DEBUG_ARGS) {
-#ifdef GRPC_METADATA_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-  char *key_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->key);
-  char *value_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->value);
-  gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
-          "ELM   REF:%p:%zu->%zu: '%s' = '%s'", (void *)md,
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt),
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt) + 1, key_str, value_str);
-  gpr_free(key_str);
-  gpr_free(value_str);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_metadata)) {
+    char *key_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->key);
+    char *value_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->value);
+    gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+            "ELM   REF:%p:%" PRIdPTR "->%" PRIdPTR ": '%s' = '%s'", (void *)md,
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt),
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt) + 1, key_str, value_str);
+    gpr_free(key_str);
+    gpr_free(value_str);
+  }
 #endif
   if (0 == gpr_atm_no_barrier_fetch_add(&md->refcnt, 1)) {
     gpr_atm_no_barrier_fetch_add(&shard->free_estimate, -1);
@@ -243,13 +246,16 @@ grpc_mdelem grpc_mdelem_create(
     allocated->key = grpc_slice_ref_internal(key);
     allocated->value = grpc_slice_ref_internal(value);
     gpr_atm_rel_store(&allocated->refcnt, 1);
-#ifdef GRPC_METADATA_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-    char *key_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(allocated->key);
-    char *value_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(allocated->value);
-    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "ELM ALLOC:%p:%zu: '%s' = '%s'", (void *)allocated,
-            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&allocated->refcnt), key_str, value_str);
-    gpr_free(key_str);
-    gpr_free(value_str);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+    if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_metadata)) {
+      char *key_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(allocated->key);
+      char *value_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(allocated->value);
+      gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "ELM ALLOC:%p:%" PRIdPTR ": '%s' = '%s'",
+              (void *)allocated, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&allocated->refcnt),
+              key_str, value_str);
+      gpr_free(key_str);
+      gpr_free(value_str);
+    }
 #endif
     return GRPC_MAKE_MDELEM(allocated, GRPC_MDELEM_STORAGE_ALLOCATED);
   }
@@ -294,13 +300,15 @@ grpc_mdelem grpc_mdelem_create(
   md->bucket_next = shard->elems[idx];
   shard->elems[idx] = md;
   gpr_mu_init(&md->mu_user_data);
-#ifdef GRPC_METADATA_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-  char *key_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->key);
-  char *value_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->value);
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "ELM   NEW:%p:%zu: '%s' = '%s'", (void *)md,
-          gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt), key_str, value_str);
-  gpr_free(key_str);
-  gpr_free(value_str);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_metadata)) {
+    char *key_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->key);
+    char *value_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->value);
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "ELM   NEW:%p:%" PRIdPTR ": '%s' = '%s'", (void *)md,
+            gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt), key_str, value_str);
+    gpr_free(key_str);
+    gpr_free(value_str);
+  }
 #endif
   shard->count++;
 
@@ -356,15 +364,17 @@ grpc_mdelem grpc_mdelem_ref(grpc_mdelem gmd DEBUG_ARGS) {
       break;
     case GRPC_MDELEM_STORAGE_INTERNED: {
       interned_metadata *md = (interned_metadata *)GRPC_MDELEM_DATA(gmd);
-#ifdef GRPC_METADATA_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-      char *key_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->key);
-      char *value_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->value);
-      gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
-              "ELM   REF:%p:%zu->%zu: '%s' = '%s'", (void *)md,
-              gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt),
-              gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt) + 1, key_str, value_str);
-      gpr_free(key_str);
-      gpr_free(value_str);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+      if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_metadata)) {
+        char *key_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->key);
+        char *value_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->value);
+        gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+                "ELM   REF:%p:%" PRIdPTR "->%" PRIdPTR ": '%s' = '%s'",
+                (void *)md, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt),
+                gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt) + 1, key_str, value_str);
+        gpr_free(key_str);
+        gpr_free(value_str);
+      }
 #endif
       /* we can assume the ref count is >= 1 as the application is calling
          this function - meaning that no adjustment to mdtab_free is necessary,
@@ -376,15 +386,17 @@ grpc_mdelem grpc_mdelem_ref(grpc_mdelem gmd DEBUG_ARGS) {
     }
     case GRPC_MDELEM_STORAGE_ALLOCATED: {
       allocated_metadata *md = (allocated_metadata *)GRPC_MDELEM_DATA(gmd);
-#ifdef GRPC_METADATA_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-      char *key_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->key);
-      char *value_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->value);
-      gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
-              "ELM   REF:%p:%zu->%zu: '%s' = '%s'", (void *)md,
-              gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt),
-              gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt) + 1, key_str, value_str);
-      gpr_free(key_str);
-      gpr_free(value_str);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+      if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_metadata)) {
+        char *key_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->key);
+        char *value_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->value);
+        gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+                "ELM   REF:%p:%" PRIdPTR "->%" PRIdPTR ": '%s' = '%s'",
+                (void *)md, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt),
+                gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt) + 1, key_str, value_str);
+        gpr_free(key_str);
+        gpr_free(value_str);
+      }
 #endif
       /* we can assume the ref count is >= 1 as the application is calling
          this function - meaning that no adjustment to mdtab_free is necessary,
@@ -404,15 +416,17 @@ void grpc_mdelem_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_mdelem gmd DEBUG_ARGS) {
       break;
     case GRPC_MDELEM_STORAGE_INTERNED: {
       interned_metadata *md = (interned_metadata *)GRPC_MDELEM_DATA(gmd);
-#ifdef GRPC_METADATA_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-      char *key_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->key);
-      char *value_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->value);
-      gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
-              "ELM UNREF:%p:%zu->%zu: '%s' = '%s'", (void *)md,
-              gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt),
-              gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt) - 1, key_str, value_str);
-      gpr_free(key_str);
-      gpr_free(value_str);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+      if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_metadata)) {
+        char *key_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->key);
+        char *value_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->value);
+        gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+                "ELM UNREF:%p:%" PRIdPTR "->%" PRIdPTR ": '%s' = '%s'",
+                (void *)md, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt),
+                gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt) - 1, key_str, value_str);
+        gpr_free(key_str);
+        gpr_free(value_str);
+      }
 #endif
       uint32_t hash = GRPC_MDSTR_KV_HASH(grpc_slice_hash(md->key),
                                          grpc_slice_hash(md->value));
@@ -428,15 +442,17 @@ void grpc_mdelem_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_mdelem gmd DEBUG_ARGS) {
     }
     case GRPC_MDELEM_STORAGE_ALLOCATED: {
       allocated_metadata *md = (allocated_metadata *)GRPC_MDELEM_DATA(gmd);
-#ifdef GRPC_METADATA_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-      char *key_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->key);
-      char *value_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->value);
-      gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
-              "ELM UNREF:%p:%zu->%zu: '%s' = '%s'", (void *)md,
-              gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt),
-              gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt) - 1, key_str, value_str);
-      gpr_free(key_str);
-      gpr_free(value_str);
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+      if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_metadata)) {
+        char *key_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->key);
+        char *value_str = grpc_slice_to_c_string(md->value);
+        gpr_log(file, line, GPR_LOG_SEVERITY_DEBUG,
+                "ELM UNREF:%p:%" PRIdPTR "->%" PRIdPTR ": '%s' = '%s'",
+                (void *)md, gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt),
+                gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&md->refcnt) - 1, key_str, value_str);
+        gpr_free(key_str);
+        gpr_free(value_str);
+      }
 #endif
       const gpr_atm prev_refcount = gpr_atm_full_fetch_add(&md->refcnt, -1);
       GPR_ASSERT(prev_refcount >= 1);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/transport/metadata.h b/src/core/lib/transport/metadata.h
index 5e1afecd2e5..974469e436f 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/transport/metadata.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/transport/metadata.h
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@
 
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/exec_ctx.h"
 
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_metadata;
+#endif
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
 #endif
@@ -132,9 +136,7 @@ void *grpc_mdelem_get_user_data(grpc_mdelem md,
 void *grpc_mdelem_set_user_data(grpc_mdelem md, void (*destroy_func)(void *),
                                 void *user_data);
 
-/* Reference counting */
-//#define GRPC_METADATA_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
-#ifdef GRPC_METADATA_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 #define GRPC_MDELEM_REF(s) grpc_mdelem_ref((s), __FILE__, __LINE__)
 #define GRPC_MDELEM_UNREF(exec_ctx, s) \
   grpc_mdelem_unref((exec_ctx), (s), __FILE__, __LINE__)
diff --git a/src/core/lib/transport/transport.c b/src/core/lib/transport/transport.c
index c2afedec585..52725846e66 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/transport/transport.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/transport/transport.c
@@ -31,25 +31,33 @@
 #include "src/core/lib/support/string.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/transport/transport_impl.h"
 
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_stream_refcount = GRPC_TRACER_INITIALIZER(false);
+#endif
+
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_stream_ref(grpc_stream_refcount *refcount, const char *reason) {
-  gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&refcount->refs.count);
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%s %p:%p   REF %" PRIdPTR "->%" PRIdPTR " %s",
-          refcount->object_type, refcount, refcount->destroy.cb_arg, val,
-          val + 1, reason);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_stream_refcount)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&refcount->refs.count);
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%s %p:%p   REF %" PRIdPTR "->%" PRIdPTR " %s",
+            refcount->object_type, refcount, refcount->destroy.cb_arg, val,
+            val + 1, reason);
+  }
 #else
 void grpc_stream_ref(grpc_stream_refcount *refcount) {
 #endif
   gpr_ref_non_zero(&refcount->refs);
 }
 
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_stream_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, grpc_stream_refcount *refcount,
                        const char *reason) {
-  gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&refcount->refs.count);
-  gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%s %p:%p UNREF %" PRIdPTR "->%" PRIdPTR " %s",
-          refcount->object_type, refcount, refcount->destroy.cb_arg, val,
-          val - 1, reason);
+  if (GRPC_TRACER_ON(grpc_trace_stream_refcount)) {
+    gpr_atm val = gpr_atm_no_barrier_load(&refcount->refs.count);
+    gpr_log(GPR_DEBUG, "%s %p:%p UNREF %" PRIdPTR "->%" PRIdPTR " %s",
+            refcount->object_type, refcount, refcount->destroy.cb_arg, val,
+            val - 1, reason);
+  }
 #else
 void grpc_stream_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                        grpc_stream_refcount *refcount) {
@@ -74,7 +82,7 @@ void grpc_stream_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx,
                             offsetof(grpc_stream_refcount, slice_refcount)))
 
 static void slice_stream_ref(void *p) {
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
   grpc_stream_ref(STREAM_REF_FROM_SLICE_REF(p), "slice");
 #else
   grpc_stream_ref(STREAM_REF_FROM_SLICE_REF(p));
@@ -82,7 +90,7 @@ static void slice_stream_ref(void *p) {
 }
 
 static void slice_stream_unref(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *p) {
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
   grpc_stream_unref(exec_ctx, STREAM_REF_FROM_SLICE_REF(p), "slice");
 #else
   grpc_stream_unref(exec_ctx, STREAM_REF_FROM_SLICE_REF(p));
@@ -102,7 +110,7 @@ static const grpc_slice_refcount_vtable stream_ref_slice_vtable = {
     .eq = grpc_slice_default_eq_impl,
     .hash = grpc_slice_default_hash_impl};
 
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_stream_ref_init(grpc_stream_refcount *refcount, int initial_refs,
                           grpc_iomgr_cb_func cb, void *cb_arg,
                           const char *object_type) {
diff --git a/src/core/lib/transport/transport.h b/src/core/lib/transport/transport.h
index d231157c874..811610ffbfb 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/transport/transport.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/transport/transport.h
@@ -42,18 +42,20 @@ typedef struct grpc_transport grpc_transport;
    for a stream. */
 typedef struct grpc_stream grpc_stream;
 
-//#define GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+extern grpc_tracer_flag grpc_trace_stream_refcount;
+#endif
 
 typedef struct grpc_stream_refcount {
   gpr_refcount refs;
   grpc_closure destroy;
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
   const char *object_type;
 #endif
   grpc_slice_refcount slice_refcount;
 } grpc_stream_refcount;
 
-#ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
+#ifndef NDEBUG
 void grpc_stream_ref_init(grpc_stream_refcount *refcount, int initial_refs,
                           grpc_iomgr_cb_func cb, void *cb_arg,
                           const char *object_type);
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.c b/test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.c
index 248f721cbb3..54693c49001 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/fixtures/http_proxy_fixture.c
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ void grpc_end2end_http_proxy_destroy(grpc_end2end_http_proxy* proxy) {
   grpc_pollset_shutdown(&exec_ctx, proxy->pollset,
                         GRPC_CLOSURE_CREATE(destroy_pollset, proxy->pollset,
                                             grpc_schedule_on_exec_ctx));
-  grpc_combiner_unref(&exec_ctx, proxy->combiner);
+  GRPC_COMBINER_UNREF(&exec_ctx, proxy->combiner, "test");
   gpr_free(proxy);
   grpc_exec_ctx_finish(&exec_ctx);
 }