Exceptional Event Demonstrations for Particulate Matter
Demonstrations supporting the proposed exceptional events for particulate matter data.
About Exceptional Events
Definition
Exceptional events are unusual or naturally occurring events that affect air quality and are not reasonably controllable or preventable. Wildfires are an example.
How They Affect Monitoring Data
States can request that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exclude air quality monitoring data affected by an exceptional event from determining if an area met an air quality health standard . The demonstration documents below were developed in support of TCEQ's proposed exceptional event flags.
EPA Regulations and Guidance
Exceptional event regulations and guidance are provided on EPA's Treatment of Air Quality Data Influenced by Exceptional Events website.
Current Exceptional Event Demonstration Proposal
El Paso, Nueces, and Harris County PM10 Demonstration for Three Days in 2021
- Demonstration Summary (English)
- Demonstration Summary (Spanish)
- Proposed PM10 Exceptional Event Demonstration Report (English only) posted 6/27/2023
Public Comment Period: Closed
TCEQ posted this demonstration for written public comment on Jun. 27, 2023. We will submit all comments received or postmarked by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Jul. 31, 2023, to the EPA along with the final demonstration. No public hearing will be held for this action.
Previous Exceptional Event Demonstrations
El Paso Demonstrations
December 23, 2020 PM10 Exceptional Event
- Demonstration Summary (English)
- Demonstration Summary (Spanish)
- Final PM10 Exceptional Event Demonstration Report (English only) posted 1/6/2023
- Public Comments Received from October 26, 2022 to December 2, 2022 (English only)
- 1/2/2023 Letter to EPA Submitting Demonstration (English only)
2017-2018 PM10 Exceptional Events
- Final 2017-2018 Exceptional Events Demonstration (English Only)
2010-2012 PM2.5 and PM10 Exceptional Events
- Final 2010-2012 Exceptional Events Demonstration (English Only)
- Addendum (English Only)
Houston Clinton Monitor Demonstrations (English Only)
2012 Exceptional Events
2011 Exceptional Events
2010 Exceptional Events
Related Topics
- Ozone Exceptional Event Demonstrations
- Mitigation Plans for Exceptional Events in Texas
- EPA Review of TCEQ Mitigation Plans
- International transport demonstrations to Texas nonattainment areas
- TCEQ Index of Air Topics lists a wide range of programs and how the agency is working to improve air quality in Texas