The goal of this tool is to provide users with data to inform their decisions on siting, permitting, enforcement, and infrastructure improvements. The demographic and socioeconomic data, coupled with MDE-specific elements such as proximity to active high air emission facilities, or wastewater treatment facilities, will be used to help underserved and overburdened communities in Maryland.
What are Underserved Communities?
State law defines Underserved Communities as “any census tract in which, according to the most recent U.S. census bureau survey:
(I) at least 25% of the residents qualify as low-income;
(II) at least 50% of the residents identify as nonwhite; or
(III) at least 15% of the residents have limited English proficiency.”
What are Overburdened Communities?
State law defines Overburdened Communities as “any census tract in which three or more of the following environmental health indicators are above the 75th percentile statewide:
(I) particulate matter (PM) 2.5;
(II) ozone;
(III) AirToxScreen diesel PM;
(IV) AirToxScreen cancer risk;
(V) AirToxScreen respiratory hazard index;
(VI) traffic proximity;
(VII) lead paint indicator;
(VIII) national priorities list superfund site proximity;
(IX) risk management plan facility proximity;
(X) hazardous waste proximity;
(XI) wastewater discharge indicator;
(XII) proximity to a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO);
(XIII) percent of the population lacking broadband coverage;
(XIV) asthma emergency room discharges;
(XV) myocardial infarction discharges;
(XVI) low-birth-weight infants;
(XVII) proximity to emitting power plants;
(XVIII) proximity to a toxic release inventory (TRI) facility;
(XIX) proximity to a brownfields site;
(XX) proximity to mining operations; and
(XXI) proximity to a hazardous waste landfill”
How does MDE calculate an EJ Score?
MDE uses four indicators to screen locations and communities based on census and health data:
MDE calculates MDE calculates the overall EJ Score as the average of all four factors converted to a percentile.
Pollution Burden Exposure
MDE calculates the pollution burden exposure score as the average percentile of the following factors:
- particulate matter (PM) 2.5
- ozone
- AirToxScreen diesel PM
- AirToxScreen cancer risk
- AirToxScreen respiratory hazard index
- traffic proximity
- proximity to a toxic release inventory (TRI) facility
- proximity to a hazardous waste landfill
Pollution Burden Environmental Effects
MDE calculates the pollution burden environmental effects score as the average percentile of the following factors:
- lead paint indicator
- risk management plan facility proximity
- hazardous waste proximity
- national priorities list superfund site proximity
- wastewater discharge indicator
- proximity to a brownfields site
- proximity to emitting power plants
- proximity to a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO)
- proximity to mining operations
Sensitive Populations
MDE calculates the sensitive populations score as the average percentile of the following factors:
- low-birth-weight infants*
- asthma emergency room discharges*
- myocardial infarction discharges*
- percent of the population lacking broadband coverage+
*These indicators are not tracked on the 2020 census tract level; this data was derived from the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland Department of Health Department of Vital Statistics, who crosswalked the data from 2010 census tracts to 2020 tracts using the National Historical GIS crosswalking methodology by population. Due to the sensitive nature of this data, only percentile scores are included in the overall
data.
+The broadband coverage data was derived from the American Community Survey.
Socioeconomic/Demographic Indicators
MDE calculates the socioeconomic/demographic indicators score as the average percentile of the following factor
- Residents qualify as low-income
- Residents identify as nonwhite
- Residents have limited English proficiency.
