Survey of an AI tool and data analysis:

EPA EJScreen

This tool is great for researching environmental justice areas, whether you want to screen specific locations or use it as a mapping tool. There are numerous ways to interact with this tool. First, go to the website: https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/. Then, type in the address of the area you want to survey. Next, look at the toolbar on the far left of the screen.

The toolbar has main sections and subsections. The main sections include Environmental Justice Indexes, Supplemental Indexes, Pollution & Sources, Socioeconomic Indicators, Health Disparities, Climate Change Data, Critical Service Gaps, and Additional Demographics.

The area I explored the most was the EJ Indexes and Pollution & Sources. Under EJ Indexes, I was particularly curious about the Diesel Particulate Matter since there is a gas station right across the highway from the Nisqually Refuge. It showed that it does affect or seep into their soil; thankfully, there must be enough barriers between the two. Then I looked at Air Toxics for cancer risk and respiratory effects. The screen lit up with 80-90%ile numbers in the surrounding areas but not at the Nisqually Refuge. I also looked at the Wastewater Discharge. There are some issues with it in Yelm and Rainier, but those places are far enough away to not affect the wildlife at the Refuge. All in all, the biodiversity, according to this AI tool, seems to have gone unscathed.

However, I would be interested to see if any particulate matter starts appearing in the water. With 6PPD Quinone becoming a more discussed topic, I feel it is the modern-day 'PFAS'. Though it is not a forever chemical, researchers still don't know the lifelong effects on humans yet, nor have they found a non-toxic replacement to use in rubber.

Citation:

EPA. (2024). EPA EJScreen (Version 2.2) [Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool]. https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/

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