Industrial activity and automobiles both play major roles in making
Houston's air the second most polluted air in the country due to ozone smog
and high levels of "air toxic" (airborne materials that produce
a harmful effect on a biological system). During the last year the Houston
Metropolitan Area had 69 ozone health alerts and on four separate days during
the last year, ground levels of ozone were higher than those in any other
city in the country. According to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA)
Toxic Release Inventory in 1995, Texas led the nation in toxic air emissions
with 128 million pounds. In the eight counties comprising the
Houston Metropolitan Area, 32 million pounds of this Texas total were emitted.
This figure represents 90% of the total air emissions generated by the entire
state of California. More than half of Houston's industrial air pollution comes from
"grandfathered" (see below) and exempt industrial facilities. Cars and trucks are also important
contributors to ground level ozone. Emissions from one poorly maintained vehicle
can equal those from 25 properly maintained vehicles.
Why is this important?
Scientific studies demonstrate current pollution levels
in our air can complicate respiratory disorders and cardiopulmonary diseases,
leading to premature death. Recent medical studies have found correlations
between particulate pollution levels and ozone to respiratory problems and
cancers especially in sensitive populations such as children and the elderly. Click here for
more information on: Citizens Clean Air Project, Billboard Contest
Info, or Grandfathered facilities