Equity context · ACS 2018-2022 · USEPA-clone EJ disparity
Who Drinks This Water
Minneapolis, Minnesota (Census place; block-group disparity scores aggregated by centroid containment): a service population of 426,877. Local disparity score for pm2.5 (fine particulate) sits well below the reference (47). Why we surface this →
POPULATION SHARE
16.8%
Low-income
POPULATION SHARE
40.0%
People of color
POPULATION SHARE
5.4%
Under age 5
POPULATION SHARE
10.7%
Over age 64
NATIONAL PERCENTILE · vs all US block groups (population-weighted; ranked against the national EJScreen indicator distribution)
- PM2.5 (fine particulate)iHealth riskFine inhalable particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller. They travel deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream — linked to asthma, heart disease, stroke, and premature death.32below the national median
- OzoneiHealth riskGround-level ozone (smog) inflames the airways. Even short exposures trigger asthma attacks and worsen chronic lung and heart disease.19below the national median
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)iHealth riskA tailpipe and combustion gas. Concentrates near busy roads and industrial sites; raises risk of airway inflammation, asthma, and lower respiratory infections in children.90in the highest 20% nationally
- Diesel particulateiHealth riskSoot from diesel engines (trucks, trains, ports, construction). EPA classifies it as a likely human carcinogen and a major driver of childhood asthma near freight corridors.90in the highest 20% nationally
- Toxic releases (RSEI)iHealth riskEPA's Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators score — weights TRI chemical releases by toxicity, where they go, and how many people are nearby. Higher means greater modeled cancer and chronic-health risk.72above the national median
- Traffic proximityiHealth riskPopulation-weighted distance to high-volume roads. Living close to heavy traffic raises exposure to PM2.5, NO₂, and diesel exhaust — and the cardiovascular and asthma risks that follow.91in the highest 10% nationally
- Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing)iHealth riskShare of housing built before 1960, when lead-based paint was common. Dust from deteriorating paint is the leading cause of childhood lead poisoning, which permanently impairs cognitive development.85in the highest 20% nationally
- Superfund site proximityiHealth riskPopulation-weighted distance to NPL Superfund sites — the most contaminated waste sites in the country. Nearby groundwater, soil, and air can carry industrial solvents, metals, and other long-lived contaminants.97in the highest 5% nationally
- RMP-facility proximityiHealth riskDistance to facilities holding chemicals at quantities large enough to require an EPA Risk Management Plan (refineries, fertilizer plants, etc.). These pose acute exposure risk during accidental releases.78above the national median
- Hazardous-waste site proximityiHealth riskDistance to RCRA hazardous-waste handlers (treatment, storage, disposal facilities). Indicates potential exposure to industrial chemicals in air, soil, and groundwater.90in the highest 10% nationally
- Underground storage tanksiHealth riskDensity of underground tanks (gasoline, heating oil, industrial fluids). Leaking tanks are a leading source of benzene and other volatile organic compounds in groundwater drinking-water supplies.81in the highest 20% nationally
- NPDES wastewater proximityiHealth riskDistance to permitted industrial wastewater dischargers. Closer proximity raises exposure to pollutants released into surface waters used for fishing, recreation, and downstream drinking-water intakes.26below the national median
- Drinking-water non-complianceiHealth riskEPA score for public water systems with health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violations. Higher means more residents on systems that recently exceeded safe limits for contaminants like lead, arsenic, or nitrate.89in the highest 20% nationally
EJ disparity scores · service-area block groups (100 = national reference; higher = greater disparate burden)| Indicator | Disparity score | Reading |
|---|
| PM2.5 (fine particulate) | 47 | well below the reference |
| Ozone | 30 | well below the reference |
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) | 123 | moderately above the reference |
| Diesel particulate | 126 | moderately above the reference |
| Toxic releases (RSEI) | 101 | near the reference |
| Traffic proximity | 127 | moderately above the reference |
| Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing) | 100 | near the reference |
| Superfund site proximity | 135 | moderately above the reference |
| RMP-facility proximity | 106 | near the reference |
| Hazardous-waste site proximity | 127 | moderately above the reference |
| Underground storage tanks | 87 | below the reference |
| NPDES wastewater proximity | 34 | well below the reference |
| Drinking-water non-compliance | 120 | moderately above the reference |
Source: Census ACS 2018-2022 (5-year) + USEPA-clone EJ blockgroup stats (raw indicators + EJ disparity mirror).