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Air Quality Successes - Air Toxics
Texas’ air quality has made huge strides in the past few decades. The state has devoted significant resources for air monitoring and research to advance the science and find innovative ways to improve air quality.
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Air Quality Successes - Air Toxics
Texas’ air quality has made huge strides in the past few decades. The state has devoted significant resources for air monitoring and research to advance the science and find innovative ways to improve air quality.
- Monitoring Sites
Texas has the most extensive, aggressive monitoring program in the country.
- As of May 2014, there are more stationary monitors that measure volatile organic compounds (like benzene) in the state of Texas than in any other state.
- Evaluation of these data show that, overall, air in Texas is safe to breathe.
GeoTAM Viewer
The Geographical Texas Air Quality Monitoring viewers allow users to access information about air quality monitors, view and print maps of areas of interest, and obtain details about selected air monitors and their surrounding area.
- As of May 2014, there are more stationary monitors that measure volatile organic compounds (like benzene) in the state of Texas than in any other state.
- Evaluation of these data show that, overall, air in Texas is safe to breathe.
GeoTAM Viewer
The Geographical Texas Air Quality Monitoring viewers allow users to access information about air quality monitors, view and print maps of areas of interest, and obtain details about selected air monitors and their surrounding area.
- Benzene in Texas
Benzene in Texas
- Benzene is released into the air by a variety of sources (e.g., industry, automobiles, lawnmowers, etc.), and is one of the most widely monitored air toxin due to its ability to cause cancer.
- Over 90 percent of the monitors operating from 2000-2014 (29 total across the state) showed a decrease in benzene annual average concentrations.
- In 2014, all monitors in Texas had annual average benzene concentrations below the state’s safe level (Air Monitoring Comparison Value or AMCV).
- For more information on benzene, visit: Final Development Support Documents
- Benzene is released into the air by a variety of sources (e.g., industry, automobiles, lawnmowers, etc.), and is one of the most widely monitored air toxin due to its ability to cause cancer.
- Over 90 percent of the monitors operating from 2000-2014 (29 total across the state) showed a decrease in benzene annual average concentrations.
- In 2014, all monitors in Texas had annual average benzene concentrations below the state’s safe level (Air Monitoring Comparison Value or AMCV).
- For more information on benzene, visit: Final Development Support Documents
- Benzene Trends
Houston is one of the most industrialized regions of the state.
- From 2000 to 2014, over 90 percent of the benzene monitors (13 total that were active in 2000 and 2014) in the Houston Region showed a decrease in annual average concentrations.
- In 2014, all monitors in the Houston Region had annual average benzene concentrations well below the state’s safe level (Air Monitoring Comparison Value or AMCV).
- From 2000 to 2014, over 90 percent of the benzene monitors (13 total that were active in 2000 and 2014) in the Houston Region showed a decrease in annual average concentrations.
- In 2014, all monitors in the Houston Region had annual average benzene concentrations well below the state’s safe level (Air Monitoring Comparison Value or AMCV).
- APWL
Significant decreases in concentrations of chemicals of concern have been observed since being listed on the APWL.
- Benzene Example
Benzene and Lynchburg Ferry: An Example of Reduction
- In 2002, benzene at the Lynchburg Ferry area was added to the APWL following exceedances in mobile monitoring.
- In 2006, industry in the area entered into emissions-reduction agreements.
- In 2007, benzene investigations occurred, a citizen focus group was established, and the TCEQ collaborated with the Coast Guard to determine emission sources.
- In 2010, after a clear trend of benzene reductions were observed, benzene was removed from the APWL.
- From 2003 to 2014, there was a 77 percent reduction in benzene concentrations in the area.
- In 2002, benzene at the Lynchburg Ferry area was added to the APWL following exceedances in mobile monitoring.
- In 2006, industry in the area entered into emissions-reduction agreements.
- In 2007, benzene investigations occurred, a citizen focus group was established, and the TCEQ collaborated with the Coast Guard to determine emission sources.
- In 2010, after a clear trend of benzene reductions were observed, benzene was removed from the APWL.
- From 2003 to 2014, there was a 77 percent reduction in benzene concentrations in the area.
- Barnett Shale
Barnett Shale AutoGC Data
- The Barnett Shale is a hydrocarbon-producing geological formation consisting of sedimentary rocks and stretching from the city of Dallas west and south, covering 5,000 square miles.
- As of December 2012, all hourly average and annual average concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reported at TCEQ Region 4(Dallas/Fort Worth) automated gas chromatograph (autoGC) monitoring sites were below their short-term and long-term air monitoring comparison values (AMCVs) and would not be expected to cause acute or chronic adverse health effects, vegetation effects, or odor concerns.
- The Barnett Shale is a hydrocarbon-producing geological formation consisting of sedimentary rocks and stretching from the city of Dallas west and south, covering 5,000 square miles.
- As of December 2012, all hourly average and annual average concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reported at TCEQ Region 4(Dallas/Fort Worth) automated gas chromatograph (autoGC) monitoring sites were below their short-term and long-term air monitoring comparison values (AMCVs) and would not be expected to cause acute or chronic adverse health effects, vegetation effects, or odor concerns.
- Canister Data
Barnett Shale Canister Data
- As of December 2012, all annual average concentrations of VOCs and carbonyls from canister samples were below their respective short-term and long-term AMCVs and would not be expected to cause acute or chronic adverse health effects or vegetation effects.
- Between 1997-2012, there was a clear decrease in total hydrocarbons per drilled well for 85-99 percent of the canisters examined.
* Site-specific basis for the “total” hydrocarbons (i.e., the sum of the 12 analyte means when all 12 means were observed)
- As of December 2012, all annual average concentrations of VOCs and carbonyls from canister samples were below their respective short-term and long-term AMCVs and would not be expected to cause acute or chronic adverse health effects or vegetation effects.
- Between 1997-2012, there was a clear decrease in total hydrocarbons per drilled well for 85-99 percent of the canisters examined.
* Site-specific basis for the “total” hydrocarbons (i.e., the sum of the 12 analyte means when all 12 means were observed)
- Accolades
Accolades on TCEQ Guidelines on Effects Screening Levels, Reference Values, and Unit Risk Factors
- Texas is a leader in the development of scientifically based guidelines to protect public health and the environment.
- Texas develops its own guideline levels for air pollutants, unlike most other states.
- These guideline levels are set to prevent short and long-term health effects, vegetation effects, and nuisance odors.
- This method underwent an external scientific peer review and two rounds of public comment, making the method and levels developed using it scientifically sound.
- Other states and countries (e.g., Canada, Australia) closely watch and are using the levels developed by Texas.
- Texas is a leader in the development of scientifically based guidelines to protect public health and the environment.
- Texas develops its own guideline levels for air pollutants, unlike most other states.
- These guideline levels are set to prevent short and long-term health effects, vegetation effects, and nuisance odors.
- This method underwent an external scientific peer review and two rounds of public comment, making the method and levels developed using it scientifically sound.
- Other states and countries (e.g., Canada, Australia) closely watch and are using the levels developed by Texas.
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