Rev. Dr. William Barber III, Environmental Justice Advocate, graduate of Drew University, photograph by UU World, Flickr

Stressors

In September 2020, Governor Phil Murphy authorized the Environmental Justice (EJ) Law. Legislature and research demonstrate that lower-income, minority communities suffer disproportionately from environmental and health stressors.

Under the EJ Law “Environmental or public health stressors” means sources of environmental pollution, including, but not limited to, concentrated areas of air pollution, mobile sources of air pollution, contaminated sites, transfer stations or other solid waste facilities, recycling facilities, scrap yards, and point-sources of water pollution including, but not limited to, water pollution from facilities or combined sewer overflows; or conditions that may cause potential public health impacts, including, but not limited to, asthma, cancer, elevated blood lead levels, cardiovascular disease, and developmental problems in the overburdened community (OBC). 

The map below illustrates Environmental Justice Law Combine Stressor Summary for Madison Borough and the surrounding area. The data displays a range from yellow to dark blue. The darker the area meaning that are more forms of pollution affecting that given area. The different forms pollution that is being covered by the map are Air, Ground, Water, and etc., ranging from 0- 25.

In Madison Borough, the amount of environmental stressors are not very high as compared to others cities, generally in the 12-15 range. However there are couple of outliers areas on the southeast of the borough, sitting at around 18. This research highlights areas that need more attention when it comes to pollution exposure and associated risks. 

About the Data Source 

The data collected on the map are hosted by NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection Bureau of GIS. This dataset provides information on Environmental and Public Health Stressors for each block group in New Jersey to help implement the New Jersey Environmental Justice Law codified at N.J.S.A. 13:1D-157 et seq (EJ Law).

This dataset can be found here

To download one page slide of this summary on EJ Law/Stressors click here