How to Use the EPA’s MyEnvironment Tool for Local Assessments

Is Your Neighborhood Safe? How to Use the EPA’s MyEnvironment Tool

Curious about the air and water quality in your neighborhood? You do not need to be a scientist to understand the environmental health of your community. The EPA’s MyEnvironment tool puts federal data for your specific area right at your fingertips.

How to Get Started

  • Enter Your Location: Visit the MyEnvironment portal and type in your zip code, city, or address.
  • Select a Category: Choose from tabs like Air, Water, Land, Energy, or Climate to see data specific to your surroundings.
  • View Your Report: Interact with the map or scan the summary lists to identify local facilities and environmental metrics.

    • Exploring the Dashboard

    The MyEnvironment dashboard is built around specific environmental themes. By clicking these sections, you can drill down into the data that impacts your daily life.

    Assessing Air Quality (MyAir)

    This section helps you stay informed about the air you breathe:
    * Air Quality Index (AQI): View current, forecast, and historical pollution data.
    * UV Index: Check the predicted intensity of ultraviolet radiation for your area.
    * Air Facilities Map: See regulated facilities near you that may influence local air quality.
    * Radon Information: Review state-level data on radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas.

    Evaluating Water Resources (MyWater)

    Protecting local water is vital. Use this section to examine nearby water health:
    * Water Quality Assessments: Check the status of your local streams, rivers, and lakes.
    * Drinking Water Sources: Identify your local water providers and community systems.
    * Permit Tracking: View data on facilities that have permission to discharge pollutants into nearby waters.
    * Streamflow Data: Access real-time monitoring insights provided by the USGS.

    Advanced Environmental Insights

    Beyond basic air and water reports, you can use specialized modules to dive deeper:

    * MyLand: Locate Brownfields, Superfund sites, and waste management facilities.
    * MyHealth: Access county-level estimates regarding cancer risks linked to air toxics.
    * MyClimate: Track greenhouse gas emissions and monitor local temperature and precipitation trends.
    * MyEnergy: View the balance between local energy production and consumption.

    > Pro Tip: Toggle the ‘Layers’ menu to overlay historical data on current pollution levels to identify long-term trends in your neighborhood.

    Turn Data Into Action

    MyEnvironment is designed to help you become a better advocate for your community. You can download datasets in CSV or KML formats or use the ‘Print Map’ function to create visual evidence for local town hall meetings. By integrating this information with the Water Quality Portal, you can present a clear, evidence-based case for change.

    As emphasized by the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative (EDGI), contextualizing this data is a foundational step in utilizing civic technology to advance environmental justice.