This is a collection of informational and practical resources for Minnesotans concerned about environmental health issues. Vote for the tools/maps/directories that you find most useful. This list is meant to be informational. Environmental Illness Network Minnesota cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information on the listed websites, nor should this list be construed as a list of endorsements or recommendations.
This interactive Minnesota map links to "Public Health Assessments & Health Consultations" from the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry.
For those concerned about having too much exposure to potentially carcinogenic electromagnetic radiation from cell phone towers, this website can provide useful information about their locations. For information about potential cell phone tower health risks, check out this video: http://youtu.be/AEOcB7Svhvw
"Find a local green contractor and get information about remodeling, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, recycling and eco-friendly home building."
A map of which neighborhoods in Minneapolis have the most and least trees.
"Keep old lighting like CFLs out of landfills by finding convenient recycling locations in Minnesota! Simply choose a material to recycle and check out the drop-offs near you."
Conservation Minnesota's social map of favorite Minnesota locations to be outdoors.
"We are an energy efficiency cooperative based in the South Minneapolis community with a focus on the four Phillips Neighborhoods, Central, Powderhorn, and Corcoran. We offer products and services to help you save energy and money in your home, but more than that, we work to help you connect with your neighbors to build the energy future that you want to see." You can read about how the program helps neighbors join together to get solar energy in this Twin Cities Daily Planet article: http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2013/04/29/neighborhood-solar-and-insulation-programs-grow-across-twin-cities
"The County Health Rankings show us that where we live matters to our health. The health of a community depends on many different factors - ranging from health behaviors, education and jobs, to quality of health care, to the environment."
A directory of Minnesota businesses that use at least some organic ingredients: "The 2009 Minnesota Directory of Organic Buyers lists approximately 100 Minnesota-based retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and other buyers of organic commodities and food products."
"A directory of green businesses and organizations throughout Greater Minnesota. All listings are approved by a review team..."
"Driftwatch is a tool to help protect pesticide-sensitive crops and habitats. Managers of ecologically sensitive areas and owners of commercial fields may register for notification of pesticide applicators."
A zip-code searchable directory of hand-picked, local, sustainable, organic listings.
"In the United States, 49 million Americans receive their drinking water from surface sources located within 50 miles of an active nuclear power plant."
"Extreme weather is happening—and it's causing extremely big problems. To make matters worse, global warming increases the likelihood that we'll see even more extreme weather in the future."
Greenhouse Gas Data Publication Tool
If you enter your zip code into this search tool, the EPA will provide you with all sorts of information about what you may be exposed to in your particular environment.
Do you live near a polluted national priority superfund site that hasn't been cleaned up yet? This map might be able to help you find out.
"This search allows you to retrieve Safe Drinking Water data from the SDWIS database in Envirofacts. You may select among four possible search options: water system name, county name, population served, and/or system status. "
A map of existing frac sand mines in Houston County, Minnesota. Frac sand is extremely health hazardous. Once it gets into your lungs it doesn't come out. There have been many accounts of frac sand blowing off trucks, off uncovered railroad cars, and near mines.
"The following map is not complete. It is a beginning look at the frac sand operations in the regional area. Most, if not all, of the frac sand operations in Trempealeau County, Wabasha County and Buffalo County are recorded. Winona County has yet to be done, along with Houston County."
This map shows concentrations of cancer cases pinned on Fridley Patch's interactive map.
"An online map of community gardens across the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. Please note: Not all community gardens are on this map. If your community garden is not on the map, contact info@gardeningmatters.org to learn how to get your garden on!"
"Gluten Free Registry™ is the most comprehensive searchable database of gluten-free friendly restaurants, bakeries, grocers, caterers and travel destinations for people with Celiac Disease or following a gluten-free diet. iPhone and Android apps available. Website includes an interactive map, extensive community driven reviews and ratings, an online store, and a gluten-free event calendar." This links to the Minnesota search results.
