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.
EJ Screening Tool Tutorial Videos:
- How to navigate the tool: Coming Soon
- How to run a screening report: Coming Soon
- How to run a query: Coming Soon
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.”
Download State Map Data of Underserved Communities
Overall Underserved (Combined percentages of minority, poverty, and limited English proficiency)
Percent Minority
Percent Poverty
Percent 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) National Air Toxic Assessment (NATA) diesel PM;
(IV) NATA cancer risk;
(V) NATA 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”
