A new map of pollution statewide, put together by the Los Angeles Times, is based on data from the Environmental Protection Agency that allows people to check out census tracts — there are more than 8,000 of them — to see how toxic their home or workplace is. You can navigate by dragging your mouse along or simply by entering an address or ZIP Code in the search box.
The environmental impact index allows people to get very specific. They can find out about diesel particulate matter, drinking water toxicity, ozone concentration and toxic releases into the air.
Here’s the draft report upon which the data are based, as well as the L.A. Times story, which notes that the EPA’s new approach comes in the wake of heavy criticism for assessing California’s environmental hazards only by its 1,800 ZIP Codes.