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Multnomah County, Oregon: environmental and disease records

Cancer mortality in Multnomah County is 144.3 deaths per 100,000 people per year against a U.S. rate of 143.2. The strongest disease signals are Liver & bile duct deaths at 1.2 times the U.S. rate. Federal databases place 2,463 regulated facilities, sites and hazards inside the county, led by NPDES wastewater discharge permit (1,117), Rail grade crossing (348), Auto repair or body shop (mapped facility) (254). EPA AirToxScreen estimates a lifetime cancer risk from outdoor air toxics of 50 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: 45.5807, -122.6648.

How this county ranks in Oregon

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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 Multnomah County compared with the United States
Cancer	Measure	County rate	U.S. rate	Times U.S.	95% interval	Years
Liver & bile duct	New cases	11.4	8.7	1.31xSignificant	10.4 to 12.4	2019-2023
Thyroid	Deaths	0.6	0.5	1.2x	0.4 to 0.9	2020-2024
Melanoma of the skin	New cases	28.3	23.8	1.19xSignificant	26.7 to 30	2019-2023
Liver & bile duct	Deaths	7.6	6.6	1.15xSignificant	6.8 to 8.4	2020-2024
Leukemia	Deaths	6.4	5.7	1.12x	5.7 to 7.3	2020-2024
Melanoma of the skin	Deaths	2.2	2	1.1x	1.8 to 2.7	2020-2024
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma	New cases	20.2	18.5	1.09xSignificant	18.9 to 21.6	2019-2023
Leukemia	New cases	15.5	14.5	1.07x	14.3 to 16.7	2019-2023
Brain & nervous system	Deaths	4.7	4.4	1.07x	4.1 to 5.4	2020-2024
Pancreas	New cases	14.8	13.9	1.06x	13.6 to 16	2019-2023
Childhood cancer (under 15)	New cases	17.4	16.4	1.06x	14.2 to 21.1	2019-2023
Stomach	New cases	6.9	6.6	1.05x	6.1 to 7.7	2019-2023
Bladder	New cases	19.5	18.7	1.04x	18.1 to 20.9	2019-2023
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma	Deaths	5	4.8	1.04x	4.3 to 5.8	2020-2024
Pancreas	Deaths	11.7	11.3	1.04x	10.7 to 12.8	2020-2024
Esophagus	Deaths	3.8	3.7	1.03x	3.2 to 4.4	2020-2024
All cancer	New cases	461.5	453.4	1.02xSignificant	455.1 to 467.9	2019-2023
All cancer	Deaths	144.3	143.2	1.01x	140.7 to 148	2020-2024
Brain & nervous system	New cases	6.1	6.2	0.98x	5.3 to 6.9	2019-2023
Esophagus	New cases	4.4	4.6	0.96x	3.8 to 5.1	2019-2023
Lung & bronchus	New cases	49.5	51.8	0.96x	47.4 to 51.7	2019-2023
Bladder	Deaths	3.9	4.1	0.95x	3.3 to 4.5	2020-2024
Thyroid	New cases	12.1	13	0.93x	11.1 to 13.1	2019-2023
Lung & bronchus	Deaths	27	30.2	0.89x	25.4 to 28.6	2020-2024
Stomach	Deaths	2.3	2.7	0.85x	1.8 to 2.8	2020-2024
Kidney & renal pelvis	Deaths	2.8	3.4	0.82x	2.4 to 3.4	2020-2024
Kidney & renal pelvis	New cases	14.6	17.9	0.82x	13.5 to 15.8	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 Multnomah County
Measure	County	U.S. median	Difference	Unit
Premature death	7,476.5	9,842.6	-24%	years of life lost before age 75 per 100,000
Life expectancy	77.8	75.3	+3%	years
Child mortality	43.2	59.8	-28%	deaths under age 18 per 100,000
Infant mortality	4.1	6.2	-35%	deaths under age 1 per 1,000 live births
Injury deaths	92.4	96.9	-5%	deaths per 100,000
Drug overdose deaths	43	28.6	+50%	deaths per 100,000

Air toxics and air quality

EPA AirToxScreen 2020

Lifetime cancer risk from outdoor air toxics: 50 in a million. EPA treats 100 in a million as the upper end of acceptable risk and 1 in a million as the goal.

Formaldehyde23.56 per million
Naphthalene8.15 per million
Acetaldehyde4 per million
Benzene3.69 per million

EPA Air Quality Index 2025

Monitored on 365 days: 283 good, 0 unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse. Median AQI 37, peak 87.

Regulated facilities, sites and hazards by type

2,463 active records inside the county from EPA ECHO, TRI, Superfund, Brownfields, NPDES, EIA, FAA, FRA and corrections data.

NPDES wastewater discharge permit1,117
Rail grade crossing348
Auto repair or body shop (mapped facility)254
Gas station (mapped facility)173
Brownfield property118
Small hazardous waste generator93
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI)72
Large hazardous waste generator66
TRI reporting facility56
Air permit holder (minor source)50
Dry cleaner (mapped facility)37
Hazardous waste transporter22
Major air pollution source20
Heliport8
Scrapyard (mapped facility)6
EPA air quality monitor4
Large greenhouse gas emitter4
Superfund (NPL) site4
Landfill (mapped facility)3
Commercial airport2
Hydroelectric plant2
Public airport1
Crematorium (mapped facility)1
Solar power plant1
Wastewater plant (mapped facility)1

Highest-severity records

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

McCormick & Baxter Creosoting Co. (Portland Plant), Portland
Superfund (NPL) site. Hazard Ranking System score 50. NPL Site.
EPA site ID ORD009020603 (U.S. EPA Superfund (SEMS/NPL)) Agency record
Severity 10
Reynolds Metals Company, Troutdale
Superfund (NPL) site. Hazard Ranking System score 70.7. NPL Site.
EPA site ID ORD009412677 (U.S. EPA Superfund (SEMS/NPL)) Agency record
Severity 10
Portland Harbor, Portland
Superfund (NPL) site. Hazard Ranking System score 50. NPL Site.
EPA site ID ORSFN1002155 (U.S. EPA Superfund (SEMS/NPL)) Agency record
Severity 10
Bradford Island, Cascade Locks
Superfund (NPL) site. Hazard Ranking System score 50. NPL Site.
EPA site ID ORSFN1002228 (U.S. EPA Superfund (SEMS/NPL)) Agency record
Severity 10
Siltronic Corporation, Portland
TRI reporting facility.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000487456 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 9.6
Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. Plant 21, Portland
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $15,701.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000487660 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 9
Vigor Industrial Llc - Portland Shipyard Bldg 72, Portland
TRI reporting facility.
EPA FRS registry ID 110057205803 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 9
Onsemi, Gresham
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Ammonia, Ozone, Hydrogen fluoride, Hydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size) and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 477,801 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97030LSLGC23400 (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 8.9
Vigor Industrial, Portland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Xylene (mixed isomers), n-Butyl alcohol, Copper compounds, Zinc compounds and 2 more. Reports carcinogens. 354,666 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97217CSCDG5555N (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 8.8
Arclin Surfaces Llc, Portland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Methanol, Phenol, Formaldehyde, Formic acid and 1 more. Reports carcinogens. 303,282 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97217RGNVR2301N (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 8.7
Gunderson Marine Llc, Portland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Nickel, Xylene (mixed isomers), Manganese, n-Butyl alcohol and 2 more. Reports carcinogens. 162,344 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97210GNDRS4350N (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 8.5
Boeing Company (The), Portland
TRI reporting facility.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000487633 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 8.5
Shell Portland Distribution Terminal, Portland
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $1,300.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000487385 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 8.3
Hydro Extrusion Portland Inc. - Coatings Div, Portland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Toluene, Xylene (mixed isomers), Certain glycol ethers, Dimethyl phthalate and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 74,268 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97218NDZNG5325N (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 8.2
Columbia Steel Casting Co Inc, Portland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Manganese And Manganese Compounds, Molybdenum trioxide, Chromium and Chromium Compounds(except for chromite ore mined in the Transvaal Region), Nickel And Nickel Compounds and 1 more. Reports carcinogens. 68,457 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97203CLMBS10425 (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 8.2
Arclin Surfaces, Inc., Portland
TRI reporting facility.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000487599 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
Severity 8.2
Boeing Co Of Portland, Portland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Tetrachloroethylene, Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution), Nickel, Nitric acid and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 41,278 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97220BNGFP19000 (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 8
Daimler Trucks Na Llc, Portland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: n-Butyl alcohol, Ethylene glycol, Polycyclic aromatic compounds. Reports carcinogens. 37,844 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97217FRGHT6936N (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 8
Rodda Paint Co, Portland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Xylene (mixed isomers), Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Certain glycol ethers and 3 more. Reports carcinogens. 24,947 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97203RDDPN6123N (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 7.9
Siltronic Corp, Portland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution), Nitric acid, Hydrogen fluoride, Hydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size). 2,237,326 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97210WCKRS7200N (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 7.9
Chevron Willbridge Terminal, Portland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Toluene, Xylene (mixed isomers), 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, Benzene and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 17,566 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97208CHVRN5531N (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 7.8
Phillips 66 Portland Terminal, Portland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Toluene, Xylene (mixed isomers), n-Hexane, Benzene and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 17,491 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97210TSCPR5528N (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 7.8
Solenis Llc, Portland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Epichlorohydrin, Formic acid, 1,3-Dichloro-2-propanol, Dimethylamine and 1 more. Reports carcinogens. 17,149 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97210HRCLS3366N (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 7.7
Lacamas Laboratories Inc, Portland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Acetonitrile, Dichloromethane, Toluene, 1,4-Dioxane and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 14,703 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97217LCMSL3625N (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 7.7
Tarr Acquisition Llc, Portland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Methanol, Toluene, Methyl isobutyl ketone, Xylene (mixed isomers) and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 12,745 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 97211GLSNT2946N (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
Severity 7.7

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 Multnomah County

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

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