Sacrifice Zone
A geographic area that has been permanently impaired or deemed expendable for the sake of broader economic growth or industrial production. These zones almost exclusively impact low-income or minority populations.
Related terms
Overburdened Community A term officially adopted by the EPA and state governments to describe minority, low-income, tribal, or indigenous populations that experience a disproportionate amount of environmental harm and health risk compared to the general population. Environmental Justice The principle that all people, regardless of race or income, deserve equal protection from environmental hazards and equal access to a healthy environment. Disadvantaged Community A community designated by federal or state government as bearing a heavy combination of environmental, economic, and health burdens, qualifying it for targeted investment under programs like Justice40. Minority Population In EPA usage, a population whose share of a racial or ethnic minority group is meaningfully higher than that of the surrounding reference population. Low-Income Population Households whose income falls below a defined threshold (often a percentage of the federal poverty level), used as a vulnerability marker in environmental justice screening.