EJ Screen PM 2.5

The PM 2.5 indicator is a measure of potential exposure to inhalable particles that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller. This is measured in terms of annual average concentration in air measured in micrograms per cubic meter. PM 2.5 information included in EJScreen highlights areas across the U.S. that are not meeting the national ambient air quality standard for PM 2.5. In other words, the levels of PM 2.5 present in these areas are deemed harmful to human health. The PM 2.5 indicator in EJScreen is a measure of potential exposure but not a measure of risk. The raw PM 2.5 data is compiled by census tract which is supplied for use in the tool by EPA’s OAQPS. For air toxics risk measures (as opposed to exposure) users can turn to EJScreen’s other three indicators: cancer risk, respiratory HI, and diesel PM.