IL / county FIPS 17119 / county research

Madison County, Illinois: environmental and disease records

Cancer mortality in Madison County is 166.6 deaths per 100,000 people per year against a U.S. rate of 143.2, a statistically significant excess. The strongest disease signals are Melanoma of the skin deaths at 1.6 times the U.S. rate and Lung & bronchus deaths at 1.5 times the U.S. rate. Federal databases place 1,784 regulated facilities, sites and hazards inside the county, led by NPDES wastewater discharge permit (421), Air permit holder (minor source) (342), Industrial wastewater discharge (309). One correctional facility operates 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: 38.8228, -89.8559.

How this county ranks in Illinois

View on the heat map Scan an address in this county

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 rates for Madison County compared with the United States
Cancer	Measure	County rate	U.S. rate	Times U.S.	95% interval	Years
Melanoma of the skin	Deaths	3.2	2	1.6xSignificant	2.4 to 4.2	2020-2024
Lung & bronchus	Deaths	43.9	30.2	1.45xSignificant	40.9 to 47.1	2020-2024
Lung & bronchus	New cases	74.3	51.8	1.43xSignificant	70.3 to 78.4	2019-2023
Kidney & renal pelvis	New cases	25.6	17.9	1.43xSignificant	23.1 to 28.2	2019-2023
Esophagus	Deaths	4.9	3.7	1.32xSignificant	4 to 6.1	2020-2024
Melanoma of the skin	New cases	28.7	23.8	1.21xSignificant	26 to 31.5	2019-2023
Brain & nervous system	New cases	7.3	6.2	1.18x	5.9 to 8.9	2019-2023
All cancer	Deaths	166.6	143.2	1.16xSignificant	160.6 to 172.9	2020-2024
Brain & nervous system	Deaths	5.1	4.4	1.16x	4.1 to 6.4	2020-2024
Bladder	New cases	21.5	18.7	1.15xSignificant	19.4 to 23.8	2019-2023
Kidney & renal pelvis	Deaths	3.9	3.4	1.15x	3 to 5	2020-2024
Esophagus	New cases	5.2	4.6	1.13x	4.2 to 6.4	2019-2023
Leukemia	Deaths	6.4	5.7	1.12x	5.3 to 7.8	2020-2024
Bladder	Deaths	4.6	4.1	1.12x	3.7 to 5.8	2020-2024
All cancer	New cases	502.1	453.4	1.11xSignificant	491.3 to 513.2	2019-2023
Leukemia	New cases	15.5	14.5	1.07x	13.6 to 17.5	2019-2023
Pancreas	New cases	14.7	13.9	1.06x	12.9 to 16.6	2019-2023
Pancreas	Deaths	11.9	11.3	1.05x	10.3 to 13.7	2020-2024
Liver & bile duct	Deaths	6.9	6.6	1.05x	5.7 to 8.2	2020-2024
Liver & bile duct	New cases	8.9	8.7	1.02x	7.5 to 10.4	2019-2023
Childhood cancer (under 15)	New cases	16.7	16.4	1.02x	11.8 to 22.8	2019-2023
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma	New cases	18.6	18.5	1.01x	16.6 to 20.9	2019-2023
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma	Deaths	4.8	4.8	1x	3.8 to 5.9	2020-2024
Stomach	Deaths	2.7	2.7	1x	2 to 3.6	2020-2024
Thyroid	New cases	13	13	1x	11.1 to 15.1	2019-2023
Stomach	New cases	6	6.6	0.91x	4.9 to 7.4	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.

Mortality measures for Madison County
Measure	County	U.S. median	Difference	Unit
Premature death	9,159	9,842.6	-7%	years of life lost before age 75 per 100,000
Life expectancy	75.4	75.3	+0%	years
Child mortality	38.4	59.8	-36%	deaths under age 18 per 100,000
Infant mortality	6.4	6.2	+3%	deaths under age 1 per 1,000 live births
Injury deaths	107	96.9	+10%	deaths per 100,000
Drug overdose deaths	39.9	28.6	+40%	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.

Formaldehyde20.59 per million
Carbon Tetrachloride2.96 per million
Acetaldehyde1.91 per million
Naphthalene1.53 per million

EPA Air Quality Index 2025

Monitored on 365 days: 191 good, 4 unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse. Median AQI 49, peak 260.

Regulated facilities, sites and hazards by type

1,784 active records inside the county from EPA ECHO, TRI, Superfund, Brownfields, NPDES, EIA, FAA, FRA and corrections data.

NPDES wastewater discharge permit421
Air permit holder (minor source)342
Industrial wastewater discharge309
Rail grade crossing292
Gas station (mapped facility)97
Brownfield property58
Auto repair or body shop (mapped facility)54
Small hazardous waste generator37
Large hazardous waste generator30
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI)27
TRI reporting facility25
Major air pollution source20
Combined sewer overflow outfall13
Large greenhouse gas emitter10
Hazardous waste transporter7
Wastewater plant (mapped facility)7
EPA air quality monitor6
Public airport5
Heliport5
Dry cleaner (mapped facility)3
Scrapyard (mapped facility)3
Superfund (NPL) site3
Gas power plant2
Oil-fired power plant2
Airfield1
Commercial airport1
Correctional facility (prison or jail)1
Landfill (mapped facility)1
Other power plant1
Solar power plant1

Highest-severity records

The 25 records with the highest Envyrofax severity in the county, with the agency identifier to cite in a records request.

Phillips 66 Company, Roxana
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $125,865.
EPA FRS registry ID 110041962873 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 10
Jennison-Wright Corporation, Granite City
Superfund (NPL) site. Hazard Ranking System score 40.3. NPL Site.
EPA site ID ILD006282479 (U.S. EPA Superfund (SEMS/NPL)) Agency record
Severity 10
Chemetco, Hartford
Superfund (NPL) site. Hazard Ranking System score 30. NPL Site.
EPA site ID ILD048843809 (U.S. EPA Superfund (SEMS/NPL)) Agency record
Severity 10
NL Industries/Taracorp Lead Smelter, Granite City
Superfund (NPL) site. Hazard Ranking System score 38.1. NPL Site.
EPA site ID ILD096731468 (U.S. EPA Superfund (SEMS/NPL)) Agency record
Severity 10
Wood River Refinery, Roxana
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution), Sulfuric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size), n-Hexane, Benzene and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 13,114,349 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 62084SHLLLRTE11 (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 10
U.S. Steel Granite City Works, Granite City
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Zinc compounds, Manganese And Manganese Compounds, Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution), Lead And Lead Compounds and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 7,173,985 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 62040GRNTC20THS (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 9.8
Phillips 66 Company, Hartford
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $50,000.
EPA FRS registry ID 110010829871 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 9.7
Granite City Works Of United States Steel Corp, Granite City
TRI reporting facility.
EPA FRS registry ID 110018406679 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 9.4
Gateway Energy & Coke Co, Granite City
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Hydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size), Sulfuric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size), Hydrogen fluoride, Lead And Lead Compounds and 2 more. Reports carcinogens. 526,040 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 6204WGTWYN2585E (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 8.9
Wieland Rolled Products N.A. - East Alton Casting P, East Alton
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Zinc (fume or dust), Copper And Copper Compounds, Nickel, Zinc compounds and 3 more. Reports carcinogens. 310,067 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 62024LNCRPLEWIS (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 8.7
Precoat Metals, Granite City
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Certain glycol ethers, n-Butyl alcohol, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, Xylene (mixed isomers) and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 138,299 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 62040PRCTM25NOR (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 8.4
Olin Winchester Llc, East Alton
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $962,985.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000438688 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 8.4
Green Plains Madison Llc, Madison
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: n-Hexane, Acetaldehyde, Formic acid, Formaldehyde and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 50,548 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 6206WBNGBN395BI (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 8.1
Olin Winchester Llc Main Plant, East Alton
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution), Ethylene glycol, Zinc compounds, Copper And Copper Compounds and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 47,566 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 62024LNCRPSHAMR (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 8.1
Amsted Rail Co Inc, Granite City
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Manganese compounds, Zinc compounds, Naphthalene, Phenol and 2 more. Reports carcinogens. 33,709 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 62040MRCNS1700W (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 8
Alton Steel Inc, Alton
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Zinc compounds, Manganese And Manganese Compounds, Lead And Lead Compounds, Lead compounds and 3 more. Reports carcinogens. 24,158 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 62002LCLDSCUTST (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 7.9
Phillips 66 Terminal, Hartford
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Xylene (mixed isomers), Toluene, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, n-Hexane and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 22,418 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 62048CNCNC2150S (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 7.8
Green Plains Madison Llc, Madison
TRI reporting facility.
EPA FRS registry ID 110056955120 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 7.7
Phillips 66 Company, Roxana
Major air pollution source. Penalties $125,865.
EPA FRS registry ID 110041962873 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 7.5
Midwest Metal Coatings, Granite City
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Certain glycol ethers, n-Butyl alcohol, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, Naphthalene. Reports carcinogens. 7,283 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 62040MDWST9KONZ (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 7.5
The Premcor Refining Group, Inc. - Valero Terminaling And Distribution Company, Hartford
TRI reporting facility.
EPA FRS registry ID 110040961705 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 7.4
Wieland Rolled Products N.A. - East Alton Main Plan, East Alton
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Zinc compounds, Copper, Nickel, Chromium and 2 more. Reports carcinogens. 5,942 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 62024BRSSM427NS (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 7.4
Alton Steel Inc, Alton
TRI reporting facility.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000438679 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 7.4
Heidtman Steel Products Inc., Granite City
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Hydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size), Manganese, Nickel, Chromium and 1 more. Reports carcinogens. 4,677 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 62040HDTMN10NOR (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 7.3
Spectrulite Consortium Incorporated, Madison
TRI reporting facility.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000438811 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 7

Correctional facilities

Prisons, jails and corrections operations with an EPA facility record, and the drinking water and wastewater compliance attached to them.

Melvin Price Locks And Dam Design Deficiency Corrections Project, Alton
EPA FRS registry ID
110071501155
Wastewater permit
Yes
EPA detailed facility report

Discovery / public records

Records to request for Madison County

Illinois 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 Madison County, and their findings.
Illinois vital statistics office
Death certificate counts by cause of death and residence tract or ZIP code, and the years behind the mortality measures above.
Illinois health department, environmental epidemiology
Health consultations or assessments by ATSDR or the state health department covering the county, and any exposure investigations.
Illinois 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.
Illinois 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.

Scan an address in Madison County View on the heat map All Illinois counties