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Mobile County, Alabama: environmental and disease records
Cancer mortality in Mobile County is 166.7 deaths per 100,000 people per year against a U.S. rate of 143.2, a statistically significant excess. The strongest disease signals are Liver & bile duct deaths at 1.4 times the U.S. rate and Lung & bronchus deaths at 1.3 times the U.S. rate. Federal databases place 3,800 regulated facilities, sites and hazards inside the county, led by Industrial wastewater discharge (1,506), NPDES wastewater discharge permit (1,239), Rail grade crossing (244). EPA AirToxScreen estimates a lifetime cancer risk from outdoor air toxics of 30 in a million, driven mainly by formaldehyde.
Rates are age-adjusted per 100,000 people. A cancer signal is marked significant when the lower bound of its 95 percent confidence interval is above the U.S. rate. Facility counts use active federal records located inside the county boundary. Approximate county center: 30.7439, -88.2156.
How this county ranks in Alabama
Cancer deaths and new cases versus the United States
Source: NCI and CDC State Cancer Profiles, both sexes, all ages. Sorted by the ratio of the county rate to the U.S. rate.
| Cancer | Measure | County rate | U.S. rate | Times U.S. | 95% interval | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liver & bile duct | Deaths | 9.4 | 6.6 | 1.42xSignificant | 8.3 to 10.6 | 2020-2024 |
| Lung & bronchus | Deaths | 40.2 | 30.2 | 1.33xSignificant | 37.8 to 42.7 | 2020-2024 |
| Liver & bile duct | New cases | 11.1 | 8.7 | 1.28xSignificant | 9.9 to 12.5 | 2019-2023 |
| Leukemia | Deaths | 7 | 5.7 | 1.23xSignificant | 6 to 8.1 | 2020-2024 |
| Kidney & renal pelvis | New cases | 21.5 | 17.9 | 1.2xSignificant | 19.7 to 23.5 | 2019-2023 |
| Childhood cancer (under 15) | New cases | 19.4 | 16.4 | 1.18x | 15.3 to 24.2 | 2019-2023 |
| Non-Hodgkin lymphoma | Deaths | 5.6 | 4.8 | 1.17x | 4.7 to 6.7 | 2020-2024 |
| All cancer | Deaths | 166.7 | 143.2 | 1.16xSignificant | 161.6 to 171.8 | 2020-2024 |
| Kidney & renal pelvis | Deaths | 3.9 | 3.4 | 1.15x | 3.1 to 4.7 | 2020-2024 |
| Lung & bronchus | New cases | 58.7 | 51.8 | 1.13xSignificant | 55.8 to 61.8 | 2019-2023 |
| Brain & nervous system | New cases | 6.6 | 6.2 | 1.06x | 5.6 to 7.8 | 2019-2023 |
| Pancreas | New cases | 14.7 | 13.9 | 1.06x | 13.3 to 16.3 | 2019-2023 |
| Esophagus | Deaths | 3.9 | 3.7 | 1.05x | 3.2 to 4.7 | 2020-2024 |
| Pancreas | Deaths | 11.9 | 11.3 | 1.05x | 10.6 to 13.4 | 2020-2024 |
| Stomach | Deaths | 2.8 | 2.7 | 1.04x | 2.1 to 3.6 | 2020-2024 |
| Melanoma of the skin | New cases | 23.9 | 23.8 | 1x | 21.9 to 26 | 2019-2023 |
| All cancer | New cases | 454.3 | 453.4 | 1x | 445.9 to 462.9 | 2019-2023 |
| Brain & nervous system | Deaths | 4.4 | 4.4 | 1x | 3.6 to 5.3 | 2020-2024 |
| Bladder | New cases | 18.6 | 18.7 | 0.99x | 17 to 20.4 | 2019-2023 |
| Stomach | New cases | 6.4 | 6.6 | 0.97x | 5.5 to 7.5 | 2019-2023 |
| Esophagus | New cases | 4.4 | 4.6 | 0.96x | 3.6 to 5.3 | 2019-2023 |
| Bladder | Deaths | 3.8 | 4.1 | 0.93x | 3 to 4.6 | 2020-2024 |
| Leukemia | New cases | 12.5 | 14.5 | 0.86x | 11 to 14 | 2019-2023 |
| Melanoma of the skin | Deaths | 1.7 | 2 | 0.85x | 1.2 to 2.3 | 2020-2024 |
| Non-Hodgkin lymphoma | New cases | 14.9 | 18.5 | 0.81x | 13.4 to 16.6 | 2019-2023 |
| Thyroid | New cases | 8.1 | 13 | 0.62x | 6.9 to 9.4 | 2019-2023 |
Mortality measures versus the U.S. county median
Source: County Health Rankings, built from CDC National Vital Statistics System death records. The comparison value is the median of all U.S. counties.
| Measure | County | U.S. median | Difference | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premature death | 12,655.6 | 9,842.6 | +29% | years of life lost before age 75 per 100,000 |
| Life expectancy | 72.6 | 75.3 | -4% | years |
| Child mortality | 78.9 | 59.8 | +32% | deaths under age 18 per 100,000 |
| Infant mortality | 8.3 | 6.2 | +34% | deaths under age 1 per 1,000 live births |
| Injury deaths | 94.4 | 96.9 | -3% | deaths per 100,000 |
| Drug overdose deaths | 26.8 | 28.6 | -6% | deaths per 100,000 |
Air toxics and air quality
EPA AirToxScreen 2020
Lifetime cancer risk from outdoor air toxics: 30 in a million. EPA treats 100 in a million as the upper end of acceptable risk and 1 in a million as the goal.
- Formaldehyde23.85 per million
- Carbon Tetrachloride2.91 per million
- Acetaldehyde2.08 per million
- Benzene1 per million
EPA Air Quality Index 2025
Monitored on 363 days: 260 good, 0 unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse. Median AQI 43, peak 80.
Regulated facilities, sites and hazards by type
3,800 active records inside the county from EPA ECHO, TRI, Superfund, Brownfields, NPDES, EIA, FAA, FRA and corrections data.
- Industrial wastewater discharge1,506
- NPDES wastewater discharge permit1,239
- Rail grade crossing244
- Gas station (mapped facility)172
- Air permit holder (minor source)162
- Small hazardous waste generator110
- Toxic chemical release facility (TRI)54
- TRI reporting facility48
- Brownfield property44
- Auto repair or body shop (mapped facility)43
- Major air pollution source42
- Large hazardous waste generator28
- Hazardous waste transporter23
- Large greenhouse gas emitter22
- Scrapyard (mapped facility)10
- Public airport9
- Dry cleaner (mapped facility)9
- Heliport9
- Landfill (mapped facility)8
- Wastewater plant (mapped facility)6
- Gas power plant5
- EPA air quality monitor3
- Commercial airport2
- Superfund (NPL) site2
Highest-severity records
The 25 records with the highest Envyrofax severity in the county, with the agency identifier to cite in a records request.
- Severity 10
Stauffer Chemical Co. (LeMoyne Plant), Axis
Superfund (NPL) site. Hazard Ranking System score 32.3. NPL Site.
EPA site ID ALD008161176 (U.S. EPA Superfund (SEMS/NPL)) Agency record
- Severity 10
Stauffer Chemical Co. (Cold Creek Plant), Bucks
Superfund (NPL) site. Hazard Ranking System score 46.8. NPL Site.
EPA site ID ALD095688875 (U.S. EPA Superfund (SEMS/NPL)) Agency record
- Severity 9.7
Ssab Alabama Inc, Axis
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $23,000.
EPA FRS registry ID 110006034727 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 9.7
Outokumpu Stainless Usa Llc, Calvert
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution), Ammonia, Hydrogen fluoride, Nitric acid and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 5,417,925 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 3651WTHYSS1THYS (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 9.5
Barry Steam Plant, Bucks
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Sulfuric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size), Ammonia, Formaldehyde, Hydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size) and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 3,587,930 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36512LBMPWUSHWY (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 9
Arkema Inc, Axis
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution), Methyl methacrylate, Trade Secret, Butyl acrylate and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 833,542 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36505MTCHMHWY43 (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.8
Honeywell - Uop Llc, Chickasaw
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution), Barium And Barium Compounds, Ammonia, Diethanolamine and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 361,971 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36611NNCRBLINDE (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.7
U.S. Amines (Bucks) Llc, Axis
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution), Ammonia, Dimethylamine, Aniline. Reports carcinogens. 332,949 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36512HCHSTHIGHW (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.7
Evonik Corp, Theodore
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Chlorine, Hydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size), Ammonia, Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution) and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 289,456 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36590DGSSCDEGUS (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.7
Ineos Phenol, Theodore
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Cumene, Phenol, Methanol, Cumene hydroperoxide and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 285,987 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36582PHNLC7770R (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.6
Alabama Shipyard Llc, Mobile
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Xylene (mixed isomers), Toluene, Naphthalene, Cumene and 1 more. Reports carcinogens. 211,261 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36602TLNTCDUNLA (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.5
Vertex Refining Alabama Llc, Saraland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: n-Hexane, Benzene, Toluene, Xylene (mixed isomers) and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 186,549 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36571LLPTRINDUS (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.5
Creanova Inc, Theodore
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $88,500.
EPA FRS registry ID 110017408296 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 8.5
Fiber Glass Systems L.P., Grand Bay
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Styrene. Reports carcinogens. 145,020 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36541RSHGS125IN (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.4
Mobile Paint Manufacturing Co Inc, Theodore
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Xylene (mixed isomers), 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, Ethylbenzene, Methyl isobutyl ketone and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 125,706 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36582MBLPN4775H (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.3
Holcim (Us) Inc-Theodore Al Plant, Theodore
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Ammonia, Chromium, Lead And Lead Compounds, Mercury and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 91,757 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36590DLBSC3051H (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.3
Sterling Specialty Chemicals Llc, Mobile
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Ammonia, Acrylic acid, Acrylonitrile, Acrylamide. Reports carcinogens. 90,330 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36614MRCNCCYANA (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.3
Mary Ann - 823, Theodore
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $37,400.
EPA FRS registry ID 110008998709 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 8.2
Ssab Alabama Inc, Axis
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Zinc compounds, Xylene (mixed isomers), Manganese And Manganese Compounds, n-Butyl alcohol and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 65,700 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36505PSCST12400 (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.2
Rps Composites Of Alabama Inc, Mobile
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Styrene. Reports carcinogens. 59,136 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36608NNMTL8375Z (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.1
Williams Mobile Bay Gas Processing Facility, Coden
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: n-Hexane, Benzene, Aluminum oxide (fibrous forms). Reports carcinogens. 49,110 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 3652WWLLMS6RCKR (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8
Basf Trilon M, Theodore
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Formaldehyde, Methanol, Ammonia, Hydrogen cyanide. Reports carcinogens. 33,879 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36582BSFPR4201A (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7.9
Sterling Specialty Chemicals, Us, Llc, Mobile
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $9,800.
EPA FRS registry ID 110041965460 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 7.9
Alabama Bulk Terminal Co Llc, Mobile
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: n-Hexane, Benzene, Toluene, Xylene (mixed isomers) and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 28,575 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 36633LBMBLHWY90 (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7.9
Barry, Bucks
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $353,000.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000741270 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Correctional facilities
Prisons, jails and corrections operations with an EPA facility record, and the drinking water and wastewater compliance attached to them.
No correctional facility with an EPA record is located in this county.
Discovery / public records
Records to request for Mobile County
Alabama state cancer registry
Cancer incidence counts by census tract or ZIP code, by cancer type and year (de-identified). Any cancer cluster inquiries or investigations in Mobile County, and their findings.
Alabama vital statistics office
Death certificate counts by cause of death and residence tract or ZIP code, and the years behind the mortality measures above.
Alabama health department, environmental epidemiology
Health consultations or assessments by ATSDR or the state health department covering the county, and any exposure investigations.
Alabama environmental agency and the U.S. EPA regional office
Compliance history, inspection reports, notices of violation, penalties and enforcement actions for each facility above, cited by EPA FRS registry ID.
Alabama drinking water program
Violation notices, sampling results and sanitary surveys for the public water systems serving the county, including any system serving a correctional facility.
Department of corrections or county sheriff
Water testing, grievances and environmental health inspections for the correctional facilities listed above.
Each Envyrofax address report includes a printable records request worksheet with the custodian and the exact request wording per finding.