Tools

EPA has developed tools such as maps, calculators, databases, and other searchable systems, that can be used to view and gather information about emissions and other releases for specific industries and communities. Use the following tools to view and gather information about your community.

Mapping Tools:

The US Census Bureau’s interactive mapping tool, American Fact Finder is a data dissemination tool for accessing and mapping Census 2000 and other census data.

Community-Focused Exposure and Risk Screening Tool (C-FERST) - is still under development but will link to and build upon other community-focused tools, and it will provide state-of-the-science approaches for characterizing community exposures to environmental contaminants that lead to cumulative risks. These tools include information, strategies, human exposure models, databases, sampling/analytical methods, GIS maps, and web applications.

Clean Air Markets - Interactive Mapping - provides supplementary maps that allow the user to display geo-spatial data on an interactive 3D platform. The maps come in the form of a KMZ file (a compressed KML file) that is downloaded directly to your computer.

EJView - is formerly known as the Environmental Justice Geographic Assessment Tool. EJView is a mapping tool that allows users to create maps and generate detailed reports based on the geographic areas and data sets they choose. EJView includes data from multiple factors that may affect human and environmental health within a community or region.

EnviroMapper - provides access to several EPA databases to provide you with information about environmental activities that may affect air, water, and land anywhere in the United States. With Envirofacts, you can learn more about these environmental activities in your area or you can generate maps of environmental information.

My Environment - a powerful web-based tool that provides a range of federal, state and local information about environmental conditions and features for an area of your choice.

Calculators:

Diesel Emissions Quantifier (Quantifier) - an interactive tool that can help evaluate clean diesel projects by estimating emission reductions, cost effectiveness, and health benefits The Quantifier has been developed as a tool for those without modeling experience.

Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator - can help you understand and translating abstract measurements into concrete terms you can understand and may be useful in communicating your greenhouse gas reduction strategy, reduction targets, or other initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Databases:

Air Data - Links to data systems, maps, and additional information, including:

Air Compare - provides local air quality information to help you make informed, health-protective decisions about moving or vacationing. This area is primarily intended for the general public. It provides summary information from the Air Quality System.

Air Data - provides reports and maps of air pollution data for the entire United States based on criteria that you specify. This area is primarily intended for the general public. It provides summary information from the Air Quality System.

Map Air Monitoring Sites - provides a collection of KML files that can be used to display the locations of the sites in the major air monitoring networks. Annual and daily data can also be downloaded from links within the maps. This area is primarily intended for air quality analysts and communications specialists. It provides summary information from the Air Quality System.

Air Explorer - is a collection of user-friendly visualization tools for air quality analysts. The tools generate maps, graphs, and data tables dynamically. This area is primarily intended for air quality analysts and communications specialists. It provides summary information from the Air Quality System.

AIRNow - offers daily air quality forecasts as well as real-time air quality conditions for over 300 cities across the US, and provides links to more detailed State and local air quality information. This area is intended for those with an interest in the most up-to-date information about air quality and health.

Air Quality System (AQS) - is EPA's repository of ambient air quality data. AQS stores data from over 10,000 monitors; 5000 of which are currently active. State, Local and Tribal agencies collect the data and submit it to AQS on a periodic basis. This area is intended for those in the state, local and tribal agencies and within EPA who load data into the AQS database or use data from this database for analysis. Registration is required.

Air Trends - provides national and local air quality trends information. Data tables and reports document EPA's assessment of trends in terms of air quality, emissions, and meteorological changes over time. This area is primarily intended for technical users. It provides summary information from the Air Quality System.

AQS Data Mart - is a copy of the data in AQS and is available for anyone to extract information from. It contains over 1.6 billion measurements of air quality; all of those collected by EPA since 1980. This area is intended for those who need large volumes of data or need detailed information not available elsewhere. Registration is required and open to anyone.

AQS Data Page - The most requested data from the Air Quality System (AQS) are posted on this web page. This site contains approximately 170 files of nationwide data. There is one file per year (from 1993-2006) for each of the criteria and related pollutants. The data on this page are updated 2-4 times per year. This area intended for those who need large volumes of raw air quality data.

CASTNET - The Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) is the nation's primary source for data on dry acidic deposition and rural, ground-level ozone. Operating since 1987, CASTNET consists of over 80 sites across the eastern and western United States and is cooperatively operated and funded with the National Park Service. This area is intended primarily for analysts who wish to download acidic deposition or ozone data from these monitors.

Clean Air Markets: Data and Maps - an internet application that allows users easy access to industry source emissions data, providing simple viewing and reporting capabilities as well as print and download options. related to emission trading programs.

Clean Energy eGRID - The Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) is a comprehensive source of data on the environmental characteristics of almost all electric power generated in the United States. eGRID is unique in that it links air emissions data with electric generation data for United States power plants.

Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) - a Web-based tool that provides public access to compliance and enforcement information for approximately 800,000 EPA-regulated facilities. ECHO provides communities with important enforcement and compliance information about regulated facilities. ECHO integrates information about facilities from separate media-specific data systems. Anyone with access to the Internet can use ECHO.

Envirofacts - a one-stop source for environmental information. Retrieve information from multiple sources of Envirofacts' System Data for your area of interest.

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program - provides communities with information about toxic chemical releases and waste management activities and to inform industry, government, non-government and the public on chemical releases. You can search by zip code for a report of TRI chemical releases in your neighborhood.

Other Tools:

Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Resource Guide - a tool that will enable users to navigate EPA's Web site and find information about toxics in their local communities. Under CARE, EPA works with communities to help them come together collaboratively to investigate the toxics problems in their communities. The goals of CARE are to reduce risks and empower communities to become stewards of their own environment.

Community-Based Risk Assessment - Community-based risk assessment (CBRA) is an approach to investigate multiple chemical and non-chemical stressors faced by a community while working in partnership with the community to instill confidence and trust among the public.

EPA’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Home Page provides information for requesting documents under FOIA. The FOIA applies only to federal agencies. It does not apply to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local government agencies. Each state has its own public access laws that should be consulted for access to state and local records.

Green Communities Toolkit - toolkit provides step-by-step guidelines for planning and implementing sustainable actions at the local level. Instructions include how to conduct a trends analysis and develop a future community vision.

iTree - a state-of-the-art, peer-reviewed software suite from the USDA Forest Service that provides urban forestry analysis and benefits assessment tools. The i-Tree Tools help communities of all sizes to strengthen their urban forest management and advocacy efforts by quantifying the structure of community trees and the environmental services that trees provide.

Superfund Community Involvement Toolkit - This Web-based toolkit provides a guide for community involvement in EPA’s Superfund process. Although intended for EPA staff, this toolkit includes useful information on communication strategies, conflict resolution, and dealing with the media.

Tribal Lifeline Project - The Tribal LifeLine Project provides open access to exposure and risk assessment tools that can take into consideration the unique diets and exposure scenarios for Tribal people and other focused populations.

Tools

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