Another Air Quality Failure: Houston Region Had Worst Year on Record for Fine Particulates
by the Galveston Houston Association for Smog Prevention, May 2006
Over the past several years, measurements of air pollution in the Houston region have inched towards the federal health standards for fine particle air pollution, coming in at barely acceptable levels. New data show that in 2005, the region may have crossed the line, exceeding those limits. Depending on how EPA interprets the data, Houston could be declared an air quality non-attainment area for fine particles.
“Not only have state environmental officials failed to adequately address the ozone problem in Houston, they have failed to be proactive in preventing fine particle pollution,” said John D. Wilson, executive director of GHASP. “Thanks to their inaction and delays, Houston may now be in violation of two clean air standards.”
Fine particles, particularly those from diesel emissions, are the form of air pollution most likely to cause disease and death. They are defined as having a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, which is narrower than a human hair. Fine particles are easily inhaled into the lungs, and from there can pass into the bloodstream.
“This is an issue we’re taking very seriously,” said state representative Jessica Farrar. “Fine particles from diesel pollution likely cause more cases of cancer in Houston every year than all other air toxics combined.”
It appears likely that Houston’s increase in fine particles is due in part to increased industrial activity and shipping activity in the region. For example, a recent Port of Houston Authority publication touts 2005 as “another record-breaking year” and reports that it had “a nine percent increase in tonnage.” Unfortunately, along with this record-breaking activity comes record-breaking pollution – especially diesel pollution.
“The state’s air monitoring data shows that along with higher levels of particles, we’re also seeing higher levels of sulfur,” Wilson said. “That’s consistent with increased diesel pollution, because diesel fuel contains sulfur. Marine diesel fuel, in particular, has high sulfur content.”
The question of whether Houston has crossed the line will depend on how the EPA interprets the data. The official monitor, 9525 Clinton Drive in the City of Houston, reported an average of 15.00 micrograms per cubic meter, but the backup monitor used for quality control reported an average of 15.33. Depending on how the quality control data are used, the final measurement could exceed 15.05, which would result in a federal determination that the Houston region exceeds the standard. To put it in perspective, the determination will be made based on a mass equivalent to 1/20,000th of a grain of sand.
State representative Ana Hernandez represents the district where the high levels of pollution have been measured, and said that although increased industrial activity may be a boon to the region’s economy, companies must be considerate of nearby neighborhoods.
“The people who live and work in and near these industrial centers are the ones who suffer most from the pollution they generate,” Hernandez said. “They pay for the pollution with their health and sometimes their lives.”
Over the past decade, business and industry have used their political muscle to put the brakes on clean air regulations. Their messengers have minimized Houston’s air pollution problem by emphasizing that “Houston is in violation of only one clean air standard – ozone.”
“This data is a wake-up call for all the groups out there who keep insisting that our air quality problem isn’t that bad,” Wilson said. “State environmental officials need to quit trying to prove that we’ve squeaked by the standards and actually focus on cleaning up Houston’s air.”
