CalEPA Releases Preliminary 2026 Disadvantaged Communities Designation for Public Comment

Earlier this month, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment released CalEnviroScreen 5.0, an updated version of state’s environmental justice mapping tool used to identify communities experiencing high pollution burdens and environmental health challenges. The update adds two new indicators:

1. Diabetes Prevalence: Reflects vulnerability to pollution, recognizing that exposure to pollution leads to worsening health outcomes for individuals with diabetes.
2. Small Air Toxic Sites: Incorporates pollution sources like oil and gas wells and small stationary sources of air toxins, including gas stations and dry cleaners, which were not previously included in the tool.

As a publicly accessible resource, CalEnviroScreen helps Californians learn more about pollution impacts in their community. The tool is also used by state agencies to help direct investments and environmental protection efforts toward disadvantaged communities.

Using the newly released version of CalEnviroScreen, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) has also announced the preliminary 2026 Disadvantaged Communities Designation (DAC), which was last updated in 2022.

CalEPA invites public comments on the Preliminary DAC Designation by 5:00 p.m. on August 14, 2026. Please email written comments to DACinquiries@calepa.ca.gov.

Once the public comment period has concluded, CalEPA will address public input and use it to update the Final 2026 DAC Designation. For questions, please contact Amy Gilson at amy.gilson@oehha.ca.gov.