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Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania: environmental and disease records
Cancer mortality in Schuylkill County is 172.3 deaths per 100,000 people per year against a U.S. rate of 143.2, a statistically significant excess. The strongest disease signals are Esophagus deaths at 1.6 times the U.S. rate and Lung & bronchus deaths at 1.4 times the U.S. rate. Federal databases place 1,049 regulated facilities, sites and hazards inside the county, led by NPDES wastewater discharge permit (446), Auto repair or body shop (mapped facility) (152), Rail grade crossing (102). 2 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: 40.72, -76.1611.
How this county ranks in Pennsylvania
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esophagus | New cases | 7.6 | 4.6 | 1.65xSignificant | 6 to 9.5 | 2019-2023 |
| Esophagus | Deaths | 5.8 | 3.7 | 1.57xSignificant | 4.5 to 7.6 | 2020-2024 |
| Childhood cancer (under 15) | New cases | 24.3 | 16.4 | 1.48x | 16 to 35.5 | 2019-2023 |
| Lung & bronchus | New cases | 74.9 | 51.8 | 1.45xSignificant | 69.9 to 80.3 | 2019-2023 |
| Lung & bronchus | Deaths | 42.1 | 30.2 | 1.39xSignificant | 38.3 to 46.1 | 2020-2024 |
| Bladder | Deaths | 5.7 | 4.1 | 1.39xSignificant | 4.3 to 7.3 | 2020-2024 |
| Thyroid | New cases | 17.7 | 13 | 1.36xSignificant | 14.8 to 21.1 | 2019-2023 |
| Bladder | New cases | 25.2 | 18.7 | 1.35xSignificant | 22.3 to 28.5 | 2019-2023 |
| Brain & nervous system | New cases | 8.3 | 6.2 | 1.34xSignificant | 6.4 to 10.7 | 2019-2023 |
| Leukemia | New cases | 18.2 | 14.5 | 1.26xSignificant | 15.6 to 21.3 | 2019-2023 |
| Pancreas | New cases | 16.9 | 13.9 | 1.22xSignificant | 14.5 to 19.7 | 2019-2023 |
| Pancreas | Deaths | 13.7 | 11.3 | 1.21xSignificant | 11.5 to 16.2 | 2020-2024 |
| All cancer | Deaths | 172.3 | 143.2 | 1.2xSignificant | 164.5 to 180.5 | 2020-2024 |
| Leukemia | Deaths | 6.8 | 5.7 | 1.19x | 5.3 to 8.6 | 2020-2024 |
| Liver & bile duct | New cases | 10.3 | 8.7 | 1.18x | 8.4 to 12.5 | 2019-2023 |
| All cancer | New cases | 530.8 | 453.4 | 1.17xSignificant | 516.4 to 545.5 | 2019-2023 |
| Non-Hodgkin lymphoma | New cases | 20.7 | 18.5 | 1.12x | 17.9 to 23.9 | 2019-2023 |
| Brain & nervous system | Deaths | 4.7 | 4.4 | 1.07x | 3.4 to 6.4 | 2020-2024 |
| Liver & bile duct | Deaths | 7 | 6.6 | 1.06x | 5.5 to 8.8 | 2020-2024 |
| Kidney & renal pelvis | Deaths | 3.6 | 3.4 | 1.06x | 2.5 to 5 | 2020-2024 |
| Stomach | New cases | 6.9 | 6.6 | 1.05x | 5.3 to 8.7 | 2019-2023 |
| Non-Hodgkin lymphoma | Deaths | 5 | 4.8 | 1.04x | 3.7 to 6.6 | 2020-2024 |
| Kidney & renal pelvis | New cases | 18.2 | 17.9 | 1.02x | 15.5 to 21.3 | 2019-2023 |
| Melanoma of the skin | Deaths | 2 | 2 | 1x | 1.2 to 3.1 | 2020-2024 |
| Stomach | Deaths | 2.3 | 2.7 | 0.85x | 1.5 to 3.4 | 2020-2024 |
| Melanoma of the skin | New cases | 20.2 | 23.8 | 0.85x | 17.4 to 23.3 | 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 | 10,001 | 9,842.6 | +2% | years of life lost before age 75 per 100,000 |
| Life expectancy | 74.5 | 75.3 | -1% | years |
| Child mortality | 63.3 | 59.8 | +6% | deaths under age 18 per 100,000 |
| Infant mortality | 7.2 | 6.2 | +16% | deaths under age 1 per 1,000 live births |
| Injury deaths | 114.7 | 96.9 | +18% | deaths per 100,000 |
| Drug overdose deaths | 45.4 | 28.6 | +59% | 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.
- Formaldehyde16.46 per million
- Carbon Tetrachloride2.92 per million
- Acetaldehyde1.57 per million
- Benzene1.48 per million
EPA Air Quality Index
No EPA air quality monitor reports daily AQI for this county.
Regulated facilities, sites and hazards by type
1,049 active records inside the county from EPA ECHO, TRI, Superfund, Brownfields, NPDES, EIA, FAA, FRA and corrections data.
- NPDES wastewater discharge permit446
- Auto repair or body shop (mapped facility)152
- Rail grade crossing102
- Air permit holder (minor source)99
- Gas station (mapped facility)76
- Small hazardous waste generator37
- Toxic chemical release facility (TRI)19
- TRI reporting facility18
- Wastewater plant (mapped facility)18
- Large hazardous waste generator15
- Scrapyard (mapped facility)11
- Heliport10
- Major air pollution source8
- Public airport7
- Hazardous waste transporter7
- Large greenhouse gas emitter6
- Coal power plant3
- Brownfield property2
- Correctional facility (prison or jail)2
- Landfill (mapped facility)2
- Oil-fired power plant2
- Wind power plant2
- Commercial airport1
- Dry cleaner (mapped facility)1
- Biomass power plant1
- Solar power 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
Eastern Diversified Metals, Hometown
Superfund (NPL) site. Hazard Ranking System score 31. NPL Site.
EPA site ID PAD980830533 (U.S. EPA Superfund (SEMS/NPL)) Agency record
- Severity 9.6
Saint Nicholas Cogeneration Project, Shenandoah
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Barium And Barium Compounds, Manganese And Manganese Compounds, Barium compounds (except for barium sulfate (CAS No. 7727-43-7)), Hydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size) and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 4,652,137 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 17976STNCHHWY54 (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 9
Gilberton Power Co, Frackville
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), Barium And Barium Compounds, Manganese And Manganese Compounds and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 722,922 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 17931GLBRT50ELE (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.9
Copperhead Chemical Co Inc, Tamaqua
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $9,050.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000335389 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 8.9
Wps Westwood Generation Llc, Tremont
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $41,864.
EPA FRS registry ID 110010970235 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 8.7
Hydro Extrusion Usa Llc, Cressona
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Hydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size), Hydrogen fluoride, Manganese, Copper and 3 more. Reports carcinogens. 330,607 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 17929CRSSNPOTTS (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 8.7
Ashland Foundry & Machine Works Llc/Ashland, Ashland
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $19,700.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000334576 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 8.4
Hydro Extrusion Usa Llc - Cressona Facility, Cressona
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $4,000.
EPA FRS registry ID 110011900149 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 8.4
Gilberton Power Co, Frackville
TRI reporting facility. Penalties $6,957.
EPA FRS registry ID 110020578891 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 8
Versum Materials Us Llc, Tamaqua
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Dichloromethane, Ammonia, Hydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle size), Hydrogen fluoride and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 41,156 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 18252RPRDCPOBOX (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7.3
Wps Westwood Generation Llc, Tremont
Major air pollution source. Penalties $41,864.
EPA FRS registry ID 110010970235 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 7.2
U.S. Bureau Of Prisons Fci Schuylkill, Minersville
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Lead. Reports carcinogens. 3,005 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 17954SBRFPRT81S (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 7
Copperhead Chemical Co Inc, Tamaqua
Large hazardous waste generator. Penalties $9,050.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000335389 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 7
Copperhead Chemical Co Inc, Tamaqua
NPDES wastewater discharge permit. Penalties $9,050.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000335389 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 7
Tamaqua Wastewater Treatment Plant, Tamaqua
NPDES wastewater discharge permit. Penalties $10,000.
EPA FRS registry ID 110010128254 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 7
Pine Grove Joint Treatment Authority Wwtp, Pine Grove
NPDES wastewater discharge permit. Penalties $8,855.
EPA FRS registry ID 110039844283 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 6.9
Rausch Creek Generation Llc, Tremont
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Vanadium compounds, Barium And Barium Compounds, Zinc compounds, Manganese And Manganese Compounds and 4 more. Reports carcinogens. 1,315 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 17981WSTWDUSRTE (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 6.8
Wps Westwood Generation Llc, Tremont
NPDES wastewater discharge permit. Penalties $41,864.
EPA FRS registry ID 110010970235 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 6.7
Saint Nicholas Cogeneration Project, Shenandoah
TRI reporting facility.
EPA FRS registry ID 110006812716 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 6.6
Dayton Superior Corp, Tremont
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Chromium, Manganese, Nickel And Nickel Compounds, Nickel compounds. Reports carcinogens. 582 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 17981DYTNS55NPI (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 6.5
Papetti'S Hygrade Egg Products Inc, Klingerstown
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution), Nitric acid. 32,830 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 17941PPTTHSPAIN (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 6.5
Ashland Foundry & Machine Works, Ashland
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Manganese, Nickel, Chromium, Lead and 1 more. Reports carcinogens. 357 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 17921GLDSPEASTC (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 6.4
Northeast Prestressed Products Llc, Pottsville
Toxic chemical release facility (TRI). Chemicals: Chromium, Nickel, Manganese. Reports carcinogens. 327 lbs released over 5 years.
TRI facility ID 17929SCHLK121RI (U.S. EPA Toxics Release Inventory)
- Severity 6.4
Silberline Mfg Co - Lincoln Dr Plant, Tamaqua
TRI reporting facility.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000584458 (U.S. EPA ECHO) Agency record
- Severity 6.3
Surteco North Amer Inc/Auburn Plt Fka Reneer Films, Auburn
Major air pollution source. Penalties $66,968.
EPA FRS registry ID 110000584261 (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.
Us Department Of Justice Federal Corrections Institute, Minersville
- EPA FRS registry ID
- 110006910432
- Wastewater permit
- None on record
U.S. Bureau Of Prisons Fci Schuylkill, Minersville
- EPA FRS registry ID
- 110039019308
- Wastewater permit
- None on record
Discovery / public records
Records to request for Schuylkill County
Pennsylvania 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 Schuylkill County, and their findings.
Pennsylvania vital statistics office
Death certificate counts by cause of death and residence tract or ZIP code, and the years behind the mortality measures above.
Pennsylvania health department, environmental epidemiology
Health consultations or assessments by ATSDR or the state health department covering the county, and any exposure investigations.
Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania 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.