TCEQ Toxicology
Toxicology News!!!
The public comment period for 3 proposed DSDs has begun!!
External Scientific Peer Reviews!!
TCEQ Guidelines to Develop Toxicity Factors Now Finalized!!
Cumulative Risk Assessment Questions and Answers
- What Is Toxicology?
- What Do TCEQ Toxicologists Do?
- Research Projects
- Congressional Testimony
- Air Pollutant Watch List (APWL)
- Development Support Documents (DSDs)
- Effects Screening Levels (ESLs) used in the review of air permitting data
- Air Monitoring Comparison Values (AMCVs) used in the review of ambient air monitoring data
- Toxicological Evaluations of Ambient Air Monitoring Data
- Toxicology Staff and Contact Information
- Sign Up to Receive APWL, ESL List, AMCV List, and Other TCEQ Toxicology Announcements
What Is Toxicology?
Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms. A toxicologist is trained to examine the nature of those effects and assess the probability of their occurrence.
Toxicology is used to help the TCEQ make scientifically sound decisions when developing environmental regulations and policy. TCEQ toxicologists help by identifying chemical hazards, evaluating potential exposures, and assessing risks.
What Do TCEQ Toxicologists Do?
TCEQ toxicologists provide toxicological support for a broad range of agency activities. They assist with stakeholder meetings and drafting rules, as well as making technical recommendations regarding agency permitting, monitoring, and enforcement.
- Conduct the toxicological evaluations of air permit applications;
- Develop Effects Screening Levels;
- Evaluate environmental data collected from the air, water, and soil;
- Evaluate ambient air monitoring data;
- Contribute toxicological expertise to agency enforcement and emergency-response activities;
- Coordinate all agency activities that assess risks to human health;
- Notify private drinking-water well owners of potential groundwater contamination as required by legislation in Texas Water Code 26.408 also known as House Bill 3030;
- Stay abreast of environmental-health issues and initiatives emerging nationally; and
- Review Baseline Risk Assessments and various other remediation-related documents submitted under the Texas Risk Reduction Program and the Risk Reduction Rules for state and federal Superfund sites.
In all areas of responsibility, the division strives to ensure consistency of reviews across the agency.
Research Projects
The TCEQ Toxicology Division has been involved with numerous studies investigating human exposure to airborne toxic chemicals and the potential of these exposures to cause adverse health effects. These studies have been critically important: they have not only led to a greater understanding of air pollution and more knowledgeable decision-making by the TCEQ, but they have also become an invaluable way to address community concerns, since many of these studies were originally requested by citizens.
Studies have been completed in Houston, Midlothian, and the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Additional studies are being planned for the Corpus Christi and Barnett Shale areas. (The Barnett Shale is a large natural gas reserve encompassing more than 5,000 square miles and covering at least 17 counties in North Texas.)
Air Pollutant Concentrations Near Texas Roadways
Hillcrest Community Environmental Investigation (HCEI)
Houston Air Toxics Biomarkers of Exposure Study (HATBES)
Houston Exposure to Air Toxics Study (HEATS)
Midlothian, TX Ambient Air Collection & Analytical Chemical Analysis
Congressional Testimony
March 20, 2013
US House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology -
Subcommittee on Environment Hearing:
“Improving EPA's Scientific Advisory Processes ”
June 6, 2012
US House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology -
Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment Hearing:
“EPA’s Impact on Jobs and Energy Affordability”
October 6, 2011
Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy Hearing:
“Chemical Risk Assessment: What Works for Jobs and the Economy?”
October 4, 2011
Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment Hearing:
“Quality Science for Quality Air”
Toxicology Staff and Contact Information
You may e-mail us at tox@tceq.texas.gov . If you wish to reach a particular staff member, please put “Attn:” and the staffer’s name in the subject line.
Sign Up to Receive ESL List, AMCV List, and Other TCEQ Toxicology Announcements
For instructions on how to join the Toxicology Announcement List, click here.
