The environmental justice movement seeks to alleviate environmental and health disparities and involve communities in the decisions that affect their environment. Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Fair treatment means that no group of people, including a racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic group, bears more than their fair share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, and local programs and policies including permitting certain pollution producing facilities to operate in specific areas of the City.

Learn more about environmental justice.

If you believe there is an environmental or health hazard in your community, you can report it for investigation by the Department of Public Health.

You can report environmental justice concerns by contacting the Department of Public Health’s environmental justice coordinator at EJcomplaints@phila.gov or (215) 685-9433. Please be prepared to provide the location and description of the hazard.

The Health Department is working to advance environmental justice in partnership with affected local communities.

Air Management Services, which issues Philadelphia air permits, revised its environmental justice policy effective May 29, 2025. Under the updated policy, residents of environmental justice neighborhoods have more opportunities to learn about facilities in their area and share feedback during the permitting process.

When a facility applies for a Title V (major source) permit in a state-designated environmental justice area, Air Management Services will:

• Gather information about the project and surrounding community, including site history and pre-existing community environmental concerns.
• Develop and implement a community outreach plan that incorporates community organizations, residents, and other stakeholders.
• Post information about the project on the Health Department website, in a format that is accessible to the local community.
• Notify residents of updates or events, such as public meetings or comment periods, using the Air Management Services email listserv or other communication methods.

Though all Title V permits in environmental justice areas will be automatically considered under this policy, additional projects may be included at the discretion of Air Management Services. If you would like us to consider a project under this policy, you can submit a request using the Air Management Services Opt-In Request Form.

If you have questions about Air Management Services’ environmental justice policy, or need help submitting an “Opt-in” request, please contact the environmental justice coordinator at EJcomplaints@phila.gov or (215) 685-9433.

The City of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, sex, age, religion, or sexual orientation in the administration of its programs and activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

The Health Department complies with all applicable laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “federal non-discrimination laws”).

The Health Department’s Environmental Justice Coordinator is responsible for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning non-discrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7 (Non-Discrimination in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency), including the federal non-discrimination laws identified above.

If you have any questions about this notice or any of the Health Department’s non-discrimination programs, policies, or procedures, you may contact:

Environmental Justice Coordinator
Philadelphia Department of Public Health
7801 Essington Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19153
Phone: 215-685-9433
Email: EJcomplaints@phila.gov

If you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a Health Department program or activity, you may contact the environmental justice coordinator identified above or visit Title VI Nondiscrimination Policy to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination.

The Health Department does not intimidate or retaliate against any individual or group because they have exercised their rights to participate in or oppose actions protected/prohibited by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7, or for the purpose of interfering with such rights.

The City of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs or activities and complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).

The Health Department provides effective communication and reasonable modifications for qualified persons with disabilities, so they can equally take part in Health Department programs, services, and activities. Changes include alternative formats and case-by-case changes to programs, services, or activities to ensure equal access. Effective communication and reasonable modifications are provided free of charge.

If alternative communication or modifications are needed for an event, allow as much time as possible, but at least five (5) business days prior to the event to process your request.

Neither Section 504 nor the ADA require the Health Department to take action that would impose an undue financial or administrative burden or fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services.

To submit a reasonable accommodation request, please visit Submit a reasonable modification request.

The Health Department and its agents will not coerce, intimidate, retaliate against, or discriminate against any individual for exercising a right under Section 504 or for assisting or supporting another to exercise a right under Section 504.

Complaints of discrimination by a Health Department owned or operated program, service, or activity to persons with disabilities should be directed to the Director of ADA Compliance:

Director of ADA Compliance, City of Philadelphia
ADA.Request@phila.gov
1400 John F Kennedy Blvd.
City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107

To submit a grievance under the City’s ADA and/or Section 504 policies, please visit Submit an ADA grievance against the City.

In cooperation with the Mayor’s Office, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health is committed to compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 2 C.S. § 561 et seq. (Act 172 of 2006) and the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter § 8-600 and § A-200 in ensuring meaningful access to City services and programs for individuals with Limited English Proficiency (“LEP”).

For information on the Health Department’s LEP policies, seeking accommodations, and filing a grievance, please visit Language Access Plans (“Department of Public Health Language Access Plan”).

Complaints of discrimination will be received by the environmental justice coordinator.

• First, the coordinator will identify whether the complaint is complete and in writing.
• Then, the coordinator will determine whether the complaint qualifies for investigation.
• If the complaint is both complete and qualified for investigation, an investigation will take place.
• Within 120 days of accepting a qualified complaint, the coordinator will investigate and respond to the complainant.
• For more details about the complaint process, and the complaint form itself, visit Title VI Nondiscrimination Policy.