1 of 20

Community �Air Monitoring Program

Data Overview

2 of 20

Air Pollutants

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

Oxides of nitrogen – released by vehicles, industries, and burning fossil fuels

​

​

​

Causes irritation of respiratory system, contributes to ozone pollution

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

Highly reactive carbon compounds – released by vehicles, refineries, and other industries

​

​

​

​

Causes irritation of eyes, respiratory system, may cause cancer or organ damage, contributes to ozone pollution

Ozone (O3)

Ground level ozone – forms from reactions between NOx and VOCs in sunlight and heat.

​

​

Causes breathing difficulties, respiratory issues and irritation

Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

Tiny particles - dust, dirt, smoke, soot, and smaller – released by industries, vehicles, construction sites, fires, unpaved roads

​

​

Contributes to heart & lung issues, asthma, cancer, mortality

2

3 of 20

C.A.M.P�Communities��&��A.A.H.�Air Monitors

4 of 20

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

Includes Nitric Oxide (NO) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

5 of 20

EPA 1 hour

6 of 20

EPA Annual

7 of 20

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Includes benzene, ethylene, formaldehyde, butadiene, propane, and ethane among many others

8 of 20

9 of 20

Total VOC: Monthly Averages

10 of 20

Ozone (O3)

Ground level ozone that contributes to smog formation

11 of 20

EPA 8-hour

12 of 20

Ozone: Monthly Averages

13 of 20

Particulate Matter 2.5�(PM2.5)

14 of 20

EPA 24-Hour

15 of 20

EPA Current Annual

EPA Proposed Annual

16 of 20

REVIEW

17 of 20

Summary conclusions

NOX

VOC

O3

PM2.5

LONG TERM:

​

Galena Park / Jacinto City: Highest average

(3x EPA annual standard)

SOURCES:

​

Industrial and petrochemical presence and traffic along Ship Channel

Truck traffic

SHORT TERM:

​

Galena Park / Jacinto City:

3,022 exceedances of EPA

1 hour standard

LONG TERM:

​

Pasadena : Highest average, especially over the summer

SHORT TERM:

​

Pasadena: Highest and most prolonged & frequent peaks

SOURCES:

​

Industrial and petrochemical presence and traffic along Ship Channel

LONG TERM:

​

Gulfton: Highest average

followed by Galena Park and

Near Northside / Northline

SHORT TERM:

​

Galena Park:

867 exceedances of EPA

8-hour standard

SOURCES:

​

High traffic, industrial emissions, and severe urban heat island effect

LONG TERM:

​

Galena Park: Highest average

Followed by Kashmere Gardens

and Northline

SHORT TERM:

​

Galena Park:

22 exceedances of EPA

24-hour standard

SOURCES:

​

Concrete batch plants, industrial emissions, smoke, and fires, traffic

18 of 20

Short Term Exceedances: All Neighborhoods

NOX

VOC

O3

PM2.5

Galena Park / Jacinto City:

3,022 exceedances of EPA

1 hour standard

​

No EPA standard:

​

Cannot measure exceedances

Kashmere Gardens

34 exceedances of EPA

1 hour standard

​

Near Northside/Northline:

260 exceedances of EPA

1 hour standard

​

Pasadena:

101 exceedances of EPA

1 hour standard

​

Gulfton

No exceedances of EPA

1 hour standard

​

Galena Park / Jacinto City:

867 exceedances of EPA

8 hour standard

​

Kashmere Gardens

No exceedances of EPA

8 hour standard

​

Near Northside/Northline:

251 exceedances of EPA

8 hour standard

​

Pasadena:

19 exceedances of EPA

8 hour standard

​

Gulfton

238 exceedances of EPA

8 hour standard

​

Galena Park / Jacinto City:

22 exceedances of EPA

24 hour standard

​

Kashmere Gardens

2 exceedances of EPA

24 hour standard

​

Near Northside/Northline:

2 exceedances of EPA

24 hour standard

​

Pasadena:

No exceedances of EPA

24 hour standard

​

Gulfton

No exceedances of EPA

24 hour standard

​

19 of 20

Caveats / Limitations

  • EPA Standards:
    • Guidelines for public health protection. Regularly updated / revised
    • Just because averages aren’t at/near limit, doesn’t mean there aren’t effects to health
    • Short-term spikes can still have significant effects

​

  • Monitors:
    • Limited by wind direction, technology (pollutants measured)
    • Area of location: Results may be affected by seemingly smaller events
      • E.g.: Idling cars, household events, fireworks, outages, etc.
    • Sensitivity: A high measurement point to multiple possible sources. Cannot pinpoint 100%
    • There may be pollution levels and types that are not being caught
    • Limited number of monitors across neighborhood: Not everywhere

19

20 of 20

Thank you!