Memphis has the highest infant mortality rate of America's 60 largest cities. Some areas are worse than others. Near Cypress Creek in North Memphis, babies are dying at rates higher than those of many Third World countries.[14 per 1000 live births is very bad]

Babies continue to die, and community activists are upset as they believe it is due to chemical runoff in the water. There is some concern about a chemical fire at a plant. There is also a refinery in the South Memphis area, which my mother says emits 'onion gas' that she believes is poisonous. I'm not sure about that, but it could affect the air quality negatively. Racism: it's not just some dude getting fired, it's poisoned water in your neighborhood, it's you burying your baby, it's your kid having asthma.