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San Diego County, California: environmental and disease records
Cancer mortality in San Diego County is 133.2 deaths per 100,000 people per year against a U.S. rate of 143.2. The strongest disease signals are Stomach deaths at 1.2 times the U.S. rate and Liver & bile duct deaths at 1.2 times the U.S. rate. Federal databases place 10,323 regulated facilities, sites and hazards inside the county, led by Small hazardous waste generator (3,660), NPDES wastewater discharge permit (3,588), Large hazardous waste generator (920). 13 correctional facilities operate in the county. 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: 33.0236, -116.6944.
How this county ranks in California
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melanoma of the skin | New cases | 30.8 | 23.8 | 1.29xSignificant | 30 to 31.6 | 2019-2023 |
| Thyroid | Deaths | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.2x | 0.5 to 0.7 | 2020-2024 |
| Stomach | Deaths | 3.2 | 2.7 | 1.19xSignificant | 2.9 to 3.4 | 2020-2024 |
| Liver & bile duct | Deaths | 7.6 | 6.6 | 1.15xSignificant | 7.2 to 8 | 2020-2024 |
| Liver & bile duct | New cases | 10 | 8.7 | 1.15xSignificant | 9.6 to 10.5 | 2019-2023 |
| Melanoma of the skin | Deaths | 2.2 | 2 | 1.1x | 2 to 2.4 | 2020-2024 |
| Brain & nervous system | Deaths | 4.8 | 4.4 | 1.09xSignificant | 4.5 to 5.1 | 2020-2024 |
| Stomach | New cases | 7.1 | 6.6 | 1.08xSignificant | 6.7 to 7.5 | 2019-2023 |
| Childhood cancer (under 15) | New cases | 17.5 | 16.4 | 1.07x | 16 to 19.1 | 2019-2023 |
| Brain & nervous system | New cases | 6.5 | 6.2 | 1.05x | 6.1 to 6.9 | 2019-2023 |
| Non-Hodgkin lymphoma | New cases | 19.1 | 18.5 | 1.03x | 18.5 to 19.8 | 2019-2023 |
| Non-Hodgkin lymphoma | Deaths | 4.9 | 4.8 | 1.02x | 4.6 to 5.2 | 2020-2024 |
| Leukemia | New cases | 14.6 | 14.5 | 1.01x | 14.1 to 15.2 | 2019-2023 |
| Leukemia | Deaths | 5.7 | 5.7 | 1x | 5.4 to 6.1 | 2020-2024 |
| Thyroid | New cases | 12.7 | 13 | 0.98x | 12.2 to 13.2 | 2019-2023 |
| All cancer | New cases | 441.5 | 453.4 | 0.97x | 438.5 to 444.6 | 2019-2023 |
| Pancreas | Deaths | 11 | 11.3 | 0.97x | 10.6 to 11.5 | 2020-2024 |
| Pancreas | New cases | 13.3 | 13.9 | 0.96x | 12.8 to 13.9 | 2019-2023 |
| Kidney & renal pelvis | New cases | 16.7 | 17.9 | 0.93x | 16.1 to 17.3 | 2019-2023 |
| All cancer | Deaths | 133.2 | 143.2 | 0.93x | 131.5 to 134.9 | 2020-2024 |
| Kidney & renal pelvis | Deaths | 3.1 | 3.4 | 0.91x | 2.9 to 3.4 | 2020-2024 |
| Bladder | New cases | 16.7 | 18.7 | 0.89x | 16.2 to 17.4 | 2019-2023 |
| Bladder | Deaths | 3.6 | 4.1 | 0.88x | 3.4 to 3.9 | 2020-2024 |
| Esophagus | New cases | 4 | 4.6 | 0.87x | 3.7 to 4.3 | 2019-2023 |
| Esophagus | Deaths | 3.2 | 3.7 | 0.86x | 2.9 to 3.4 | 2020-2024 |
| Childhood cancer (under 15) | Deaths | 1.6 | 1.9 | 0.84x | 1.2 to 2.2 | 2020-2024 |
| Lung & bronchus | New cases | 38.7 | 51.8 | 0.75x | 37.8 to 39.6 | 2019-2023 |
| Lung & bronchus | Deaths | 21.6 | 30.2 | 0.72x | 21 to 22.3 | 2020-2024 |
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 | 5,726.7 | 9,842.6 | -42% | years of life lost before age 75 per 100,000 |
| Life expectancy | 80.3 | 75.3 | +7% | years |
| Child mortality | 32.5 | 59.8 | -46% | deaths under age 18 per 100,000 |
| Infant mortality | 3.6 | 6.2 | -42% | deaths under age 1 per 1,000 live births |
| Injury deaths | 63.4 | 96.9 | -35% | deaths per 100,000 |
| Drug overdose deaths | 27.7 | 28.6 | -3% | 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.
- Formaldehyde19.9 per million
- Carbon Tetrachloride2.91 per million
- Benzene2.28 per million
- Acetaldehyde1.52 per million
EPA Air Quality Index 2025
Monitored on 365 days: 64 good, 33 unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse. Median AQI 67, peak 161.
Regulated facilities, sites and hazards by type
10,323 active records inside the county from EPA ECHO, TRI, Superfund, Brownfields, NPDES, EIA, FAA, FRA and corrections data.
- Small hazardous waste generator3,660
- NPDES wastewater discharge permit3,588
- Large hazardous waste generator920
- Industrial wastewater discharge658
- Rail grade crossing371
- Hazardous waste transporter323
- Brownfield property308
- Air permit holder (minor source)106
- Toxic chemical release facility (TRI)93
- TRI reporting facility68
- Major air pollution source30
- Gas power plant30
- Large greenhouse gas emitter27
- Heliport25
- Solar power plant25
- EPA air quality monitor20
- Public airport17
- Correctional facility (prison or jail)13
- Battery storage plant12
- Commercial airport11
- Biomass power plant6
- Hydroelectric plant4
- Wind power plant3
- Airfield2
- Oil-fired power plant1
- Pumped storage plant1
- Superfund (NPL) site1
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
Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, San Diego County
Superfund (NPL) site. Hazard Ranking System score 33.8. NPL Site.
EPA site ID CA2170023533 (U.S. EPA Superfund (SEMS/NPL)) Agency record
- Severity 9.6
Donovan, Otay Mesa
EPA air quality monitor.
Record ID 060731014 (U.S. EPA AirData)
- Severity 9.3
San Ysidro, San Diego
EPA air quality monitor.
Record ID 060731025 (U.S. EPA AirData)
- Severity 9
General Dynamics (Nassco), San Diego
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Xylene (mixed isomers), n-Butyl alcohol, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, Ethylbenzene and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 756,905 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 92138NTNLSHARBO (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.6
U S Marine Corps Mcb Camp Pendleton, Camp Pendleton
TRI reporting facility.
EPA FRS registry ID 110018970247 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 8.5
U.S. Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Methyl isobutyl ketone, Lead, Certain glycol ethers, Ethylbenzene and 2 more. Reports carcinogens. 186,818 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 92135SNVYNSTAFF (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.4
Us Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Lead, Copper, Naphthalene, Ethylbenzene and 1 more. Reports carcinogens. 124,810 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 92145SMRNC45249 (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8
Us Navy Camp Michael Monsoor - La Posta (Ranges) (Part), Campo
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Lead. Reports carcinogens. 37,205 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 9190WLPSTTLAPST (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8
Us Marine Corps Mcb Camp Pendleton, Camp Pendleton
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Lead And Lead Compounds, Copper, Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution), Manganese and 4 more. 3,290,720 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 92055MRNCRPOBOX (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8
Gkn Aerospace Chem-Tronics Inc, El Cajon
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Hydrogen fluoride, Hydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size), Nitric acid, Copper And Copper Compounds and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 31,996 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 92020CHMTR1150W (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7.9
Honeywell Industrial Safety, San Diego
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Toluene diisocyanate (mixed isomers). Reports carcinogens. 25,807 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 9215WHNYWL7828W (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7.7
Us Naval Submarine Base San Diego, San Diego
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Xylene (mixed isomers), Naphthalene, Ethylbenzene, Lead. Reports carcinogens. 16,134 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 92106SNVYN140SY (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7.6
Illumina, San Diego
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Acetonitrile, Dichloromethane. Reports carcinogens. 12,089 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 9211WLLMNX52ILL (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7.6
Saint Gobain Solar Gard Llc, San Diego
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Toluene, Methyl isobutyl ketone, n-Hexane. Reports carcinogens. 10,518 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 92123DPSTN4540V (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7.5
Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant, San Diego
Major air pollution source. Penalties $22,500.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000517913 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 7.3
Hydranautics, Oceanside
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: N,N-Dimethylformamide, Diisocyanates. Reports carcinogens. 4,548 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 92054HYDRN401JO (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7.3
Tesoro - San Diego Terminal, San Diego
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Toluene, n-Hexane, Xylene (mixed isomers), Cyclohexane and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 4,431 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 92113RCSND2295E (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7.2
Bachem Americas Inc., Vista
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Dichloromethane, Acetonitrile, N,N-Dimethylformamide, N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone. Reports carcinogens. 3,816 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 9208WBCHMM1271A (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7.2
Sumitomo Electric Interconnect Products Inc, San Marcos
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Ethylene glycol. 280,275 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 92069SMTML915AR (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7.2
California Crafted Marble Inc, Santee
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Styrene. Reports carcinogens. 2,850 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 92071CSTMC10848 (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7.1
Us Navy Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado
TRI reporting facility.
EPA FRS registry ID 110025232905 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 7.1
Irisys Inc, San Diego
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $31,780.
EPA FRS registry ID 110043653356 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 7.1
Polypeptide Laboratories San Diego, San Diego
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: N,N-Dimethylformamide, Acetonitrile, Methanol. Reports carcinogens. 2,216 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 92126NMPSX9395C (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7.1
San Diego - Sherman Elementary School, San Diego
EPA air quality monitor.
Record ID 060731026 (U.S. EPA AirData)
- Severity 7
Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant, San Diego
NPDES wastewater discharge permit. Penalties $22,500.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000517913 (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.
Descanso Detention Facility, Alpine
- EPA FRS registry ID
- 110008279834
- Wastewater permit
- None on record
Ca St Of Dept Of Corrections, San Diego
- EPA FRS registry ID
- 110041065058
- Wastewater permit
- None on record
Otay Mesa Detention Center (Core Civic), San Diego
- EPA FRS registry ID
- 110064901744
- Wastewater permit
- None on record
East Mesa Detention Center, San Ysidro
- EPA FRS registry ID
- 110066270261
- Wastewater permit
- None on record
County Of San Diego Dgs-Juvenile Detention Fac, San Diego
- EPA FRS registry ID
- 110070444283
- Wastewater permit
- None on record
Cnty San Diego/San Diego Central Jail Dgs, San Diego
- EPA FRS registry ID
- 110070450582
- Wastewater permit
- None on record
Sd County Sheriffs Dept Medical Services-San Diego Central Jail, San Diego
- EPA FRS registry ID
- 110070486235
- Wastewater permit
- None on record
Sd County Sheriffs Dept Medical Services-Vista Detention Facility, Vista
- EPA FRS registry ID
- 110070486237
- Wastewater permit
- None on record
Geo Grp Inc Western Region Detention Facility, San Diego
- EPA FRS registry ID
- 110070540142
- Wastewater permit
- None on record
Otay Mesa Detention Center 512 Expansion, San Diego
- EPA FRS registry ID
- x522ecb462edb73c10aa2888e080c6fa1
- Wastewater permit
- Yes
Rjd Correctional Facility Hcfip Iwl, San Diego
- EPA FRS registry ID
- x5c54aa834287758fea07b5c4de1eb0ab
- Wastewater permit
- Yes
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, San Diego
- EPA FRS registry ID
- x6567592b597e1029f66e4f4f29a93133
- Wastewater permit
- Yes
Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility Rjd, San Diego
- EPA FRS registry ID
- xc95b27877945392b656cf7cb3564caaf
- Wastewater permit
- Yes
Discovery / public records
Records to request for San Diego County
California 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 San Diego County, and their findings.
California vital statistics office
Death certificate counts by cause of death and residence tract or ZIP code, and the years behind the mortality measures above.
California health department, environmental epidemiology
Health consultations or assessments by ATSDR or the state health department covering the county, and any exposure investigations.
California 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.
California 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.