The state’s environmental tool skews which communities are designated as disadvantaged, researchers say.
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About 16% of Census tracts in the state could be ranked differently with alterations in EnviroScreen’s model, according to the study. The findings come as scientists are increasingly demonstrating that algorithms can be as biased as the humans who create them, and that CalEnviroScreen evaluates 21 environmental, public health and demographic factors to identify which neighborhoods are most susceptible to environmental harm. Among the factors considered: air pollution and drinking water contaminants, pesticide usage, toxic releases, low birth weight infants, poverty and unemployment rates. The tool then ranks the 25% most disadvantaged communities in California — which determines which neighborhoods get billions of dollars in government and private funds.