EJSCREEN Version 1, EJ Index Alternatives

This map service displays alternative environmental justice (EJ) indexes used in EJSCREEN. The alternative EJ indexes combine each of the 12 environmental indicators and one of two demographic indexes using different methods than the Primary EJ Index. EJ Index Alternative 1 is a combination of a blockgroup environmental factor, the populaiton of the blockgroup, and the demographic index. This EJ Index measures how much a particular place contributes to the total burden faced by subpopulations highlighted by the demographic index. EJ Index Alternative 2 is a combination of a blockgroup environmental factor and the demographic index. Two options are presented for both EJ Index Alternative 1 and Alternative 2-- they are combined with the primary demographic index and alternative demographic index. EJSCREEN is an environmental justice screening tool that provides EPA with a nationally consistent approach to screening for potential areas of EJ concern that may warrant further investigation. The EJ indexes are block group level results that combine multiple demographic factors with a single environmental variable (such as proximity to traffic) that can be used to help identify communities living with the greatest potential for negative environmental and health effects. The EJSCREEN tool is currently for internal EPA use only. It is anticipated that as users become accustomed to this new tool, individual programs within the Agency will develop program use guidelines and a community of practice will develop around them within the EPA Geoplatform. Users should keep in mind that screening tools are subject to substantial uncertainty in their demographic and environmental data, particularly when looking at small geographic areas, such as Census block groups. Data on the full range of environmental impacts and demographic factors in any given location are almost certainly not available directly through this tool, and its initial results should be supplemented with additional information and local knowledge before making any judgments about potential areas of EJ concern.

Data and Resources

Field	Value
access_constraints	["Use Constraints: These data should not be distributed to users unless distribution is explicitly granted. Please check sources, scale, accuracy, currentness and other available information. Please confirm that you are using the most recent copy of both data and metadata. Acknowledgement of the EPA would be appreciated.", "Access Constraints: Data Are Restricted to Internal EPA Personnel Only"]
bbox-east-long	-12.68151645
bbox-north-lat	61.7110157
bbox-south-lat	6.65223303
bbox-west-long	-138.21454852
contact-email	curry.bridgid@epa.gov
coupled-resource	[]
dataset-reference-date	[{"type": "publication", "value": "2012-06-29"}]
frequency-of-update	annually
licence	["https://edg.epa.gov/EPA_Data_License.htm"]
licence_url	https://edg.epa.gov/EPA_Data_License.htm
metadata-date	2020-10-16
metadata-language	eng; USA
metadata_type	geospatial
old-spatial	{"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-138.21454852, 6.65223303], [-12.68151645, 6.65223303], [-12.68151645, 61.7110157], [-138.21454852, 61.7110157], [-138.21454852, 6.65223303]]]}
progress	completed
resource-type	dataset
responsible-party	[{"name": "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Policy", "roles": ["pointOfContact"]}]
spatial	{"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-138.21454852, 6.65223303], [-12.68151645, 6.65223303], [-12.68151645, 61.7110157], [-138.21454852, 61.7110157], [-138.21454852, 6.65223303]]]}
spatial_harvester	true
Groups	AmeriGEOSS National Provider North America
Tags	air amerigeo amerigeoss ckan contaminant demographics environment environmental-justice facilities geo geoss hazards human indicator national north-america risk sites toxics united-states water
isopen	False
metadata_created	2025-11-20T19:30:28.401058
metadata_modified	2025-11-20T19:30:28.401062
notes	This map service displays alternative environmental justice (EJ) indexes used in EJSCREEN. The alternative EJ indexes combine each of the 12 environmental indicators and one of two demographic indexes using different methods than the Primary EJ Index. EJ Index Alternative 1 is a combination of a blockgroup environmental factor, the populaiton of the blockgroup, and the demographic index. This EJ Index measures how much a particular place contributes to the total burden faced by subpopulations highlighted by the demographic index. EJ Index Alternative 2 is a combination of a blockgroup environmental factor and the demographic index. Two options are presented for both EJ Index Alternative 1 and Alternative 2-- they are combined with the primary demographic index and alternative demographic index. EJSCREEN is an environmental justice screening tool that provides EPA with a nationally consistent approach to screening for potential areas of EJ concern that may warrant further investigation. The EJ indexes are block group level results that combine multiple demographic factors with a single environmental variable (such as proximity to traffic) that can be used to help identify communities living with the greatest potential for negative environmental and health effects. The EJSCREEN tool is currently for internal EPA use only. It is anticipated that as users become accustomed to this new tool, individual programs within the Agency will develop program use guidelines and a community of practice will develop around them within the EPA Geoplatform. Users should keep in mind that screening tools are subject to substantial uncertainty in their demographic and environmental data, particularly when looking at small geographic areas, such as Census block groups. Data on the full range of environmental impacts and demographic factors in any given location are almost certainly not available directly through this tool, and its initial results should be supplemented with additional information and local knowledge before making any judgments about potential areas of EJ concern.
num_resources	2
num_tags	21
title	EJSCREEN Version 1, EJ Index Alternatives