Environmental Public Health Indicators Project

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• Criteria pollutants in ambient air (core)
• Hazardous or toxic substances in ambient air (core)
• Motor vehicle emissions (core)
• Residence in non-attainment areas (core)
• Unusual pattern of asthma events (core)
• Unusual pattern of cardiovascular or respiratory events (for which ambient air hazards are suspected) (core)
• Programs that address motor vehicle emissions (core)
• Alternate fuel use in registered motor vehicles (core)
• Availability of mass transit (core)
• Programs that address hazardous or toxic substances in the ambient air (optional)

Type: Hazard Indicator

Suggested Measures:

1. Annual high levels of criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), PM10, sulfur dioxide (SO2) (core)
2. Tons of criteria pollutants released in ambient air (core)

Potential Data Sources:

• EPA: National Air Quality and Emissions Trends Report; NMMAPS; NEI; TRI/EPCRA; AIRS [external link]
   
• States or local jurisdictions: environmental protection agencies, especially those with indicator projects; Urban Air Toxics Programs

Technical Supplement:

The technical supplement provides specific methods for using the above indicator and measures. It includes definitions, measurement criteria, data sources and surveillance systems, related indicators and limitations. If your agency is using or plans to use EPHIs, the technical supplement will provide you with a consistent method so that your results will be comparable to those of other agencies using the same indicator. To obtain a copy, please contact EPHI Project staff at 770-488-3473.

Type: Hazard Indicator

Suggested Measures:

1. Tons of one or more hazardous and toxic substances released in ambient air (core)
2. Number of reports of noncompliance for emissions releases (developmental)

Potential Data Sources:

• ATSDR: HSEES
   
• EPA: National Air Quality and Emissions Trends Report; NMMAPS; NEI; TRI/EPCRA; AIRS [external link]
   
• NOAA (NWS) [external link]
   
• States or local jurisdictions: Environmental protection agencies, especially those with indicator projects; Urban Air Toxics Programs

Technical Supplement:

The technical supplement provides specific methods for using the above indicator and measures. It includes definitions, measurement criteria, data sources and surveillance systems, related indicators and limitations. If your agency is using or plans to use EPHIs, the technical supplement will provide you with a consistent method so that your results will be comparable to those of other agencies using the same indicator. To obtain a copy, please contact EPHI Project staff at 770-488-3473.

Type: Hazard Indicator

Suggested Measures:

1. Vehicle miles driven per capita (core)
2. Average fuel efficiency of registered motor vehicles (optional)

Potential Data Sources:

• CB: census data [external link]
   
• DOE (EIA) [external link]
   
• DOT (FHA): NPTS [external link]

Technical Supplement:

The technical supplement provides specific methods for using the above indicator and measures. It includes definitions, measurement criteria, data sources and surveillance systems, related indicators and limitations. If your agency is using or plans to use EPHIs, the technical supplement will provide you with a consistent method so that your results will be comparable to those of other agencies using the same indicator. To obtain a copy, please contact EPHI Project staff at 770-488-3473.

Type: Hazard Indicator

Suggested Measures:

1. Percentage of human population residing in non-attainment areas (for criteria air pollutants) (core)

Potential Data Sources:

• CB: census data [external link]
   
• EPA: National Air Quality and Emissions Trends Report; NMMAPS

Technical Supplement:

The technical supplement provides specific methods for using the above indicator and measures. It includes definitions, measurement criteria, data sources and surveillance systems, related indicators and limitations. If your agency is using or plans to use EPHIs, the technical supplement will provide you with a consistent method so that your results will be comparable to those of other agencies using the same indicator. To obtain a copy, please contact EPHI Project staff at 770-488-3473.

Type: Health Effect Indicator

Suggested Measures:

1. Number of asthma-related deaths (core)
2. Incidence of asthma (core)
3. Rates of hospitalization and emergency department visits for acute asthma events (core)
4. Number of work-days missed because of asthma (optional)
5. Number of school-days missed because of asthma (optional)
6. Proportion of population filling prescriptions for asthma medication (developmental)

Potential Data Sources:

• CDC: NHAMCS, NHDS, NVSS
   
• States or local jurisdictions: CDI surveillance; ME/C; vital statistics

Technical Supplement:

The technical supplement provides specific methods for using the above indicator and measures. It includes definitions, measurement criteria, data sources and surveillance systems, related indicators and limitations. If your agency is using or plans to use EPHIs, the technical supplement will provide you with a consistent method so that your results will be comparable to those of other agencies using the same indicator. To obtain a copy, please contact EPHI Project staff at 770-488-3473.

Type: Health Effect Indicator

Suggested Measures:

1. Incidence of cardiovascular or respiratory events (core)
2. Rates of hospitalization and emergency department visits for acute cardiovascular and respiratory events (core)

Potential Data Sources:

• CDC: NHAMCS, NHDS, NVSS
   
• States or local jurisdictions: CDI surveillance; vital statistics

Technical Supplement:

The technical supplement provides specific methods for using the above indicator and measures. It includes definitions, measurement criteria, data sources and surveillance systems, related indicators and limitations. If your agency is using or plans to use EPHIs, the technical supplement will provide you with a consistent method so that your results will be comparable to those of other agencies using the same indicator. To obtain a copy, please contact EPHI Project staff at 770-488-3473.

Type: Intervention Indicator

Suggested Measures:

1. Proportion of population residing in jurisdictions that have vehicle emissions mandates (core)
2. Number of public education messages to encourage the use of personal transportation alternatives (e.g., "Ozone action day") (optional)

Potential Data Sources:

• CB: census data [external link]
   
• DOT (FHA): NPTS [external link]
   
• States or local jurisdictions: Environmental protection and transportation agencies, especially those with indicator projects

Technical Supplement:

The technical supplement provides specific methods for using the above indicator and measures. It includes definitions, measurement criteria, data sources and surveillance systems, related indicators and limitations. If your agency is using or plans to use EPHIs, the technical supplement will provide you with a consistent method so that your results will be comparable to those of other agencies using the same indicator. To obtain a copy, please contact EPHI Project staff at 770-488-3473.

Type: Intervention Indicator

Suggested Measures:

1. Proportion of registered vehicles powered by alternative fuel (core)

Potential Data Sources:

• DOE (EIA) [external link]
   
• States or local jurisdictions: Transportation agencies

Technical Supplement:

The technical supplement provides specific methods for using the above indicator and measures. It includes definitions, measurement criteria, data sources and surveillance systems, related indicators and limitations. If your agency is using or plans to use EPHIs, the technical supplement will provide you with a consistent method so that your results will be comparable to those of other agencies using the same indicator. To obtain a copy, please contact EPHI Project staff at 770-488-3473.

Type: Intervention Indicator

Suggested Measures:

1. Proportion of population for whom mass transit is available (core)
2. Proportion of population who chose personal transportation alternatives (e.g., walking, bicycling) (optional)

Potential Data Sources:

• CB: census data [external link]
   
• CDC: BRFSS; NHIS
   
• DOT (FHA): National Bicycle and Walking Study; NPTS [external link]
   
• States or local jurisdictions: CDI surveillance; transportation agencies

Technical Supplement:

The technical supplement provides specific methods for using the above indicator and measures. It includes definitions, measurement criteria, data sources and surveillance systems, related indicators and limitations. If your agency is using or plans to use EPHIs, the technical supplement will provide you with a consistent method so that your results will be comparable to those of other agencies using the same indicator. To obtain a copy, please contact EPHI Project staff at 770-488-3473.

Type: Intervention Indicator

Suggested Measures:

1. Number of jurisdictions that have air toxics monitoring programs (optional)
2. Number of operating permits for releases of hazardous air pollutants (optional)
3. Number of fines for hazardous releases violations (optional)

Potential Data Sources:

• EPA [external link]
   
• States or local jurisdictions: environmental protection agencies

Technical Supplement:

The technical supplement provides specific methods for using the above indicator and measures. It includes definitions, measurement criteria, data sources and surveillance systems, related indicators and limitations. If your agency is using or plans to use EPHIs, the technical supplement will provide you with a consistent method so that your results will be comparable to those of other agencies using the same indicator. To obtain a copy, please contact EPHI Project staff at 770-488-3473.