The greater Houston area has long been plagued by high levels of pollution, registering some of the highest levels of any metro region in the United States.
Unfortunately, air pollution is a significant contributor to every major health and social issue, which is why the situation in Houston is particularly troubling.
The sources of air pollution in Houston are diverse and include everything from transportation emissions to industrial plants, refineries, and chemical plants.
The regulatory environment in Texas is notoriously lenient, which exacerbates the problem.
According to the American Lung Association, Houston ranks ninth for ozone and fifteenth for particle pollution. The Houston-Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA, which includes the city of Houston, has 517 facilities in the Toxic Release Inventory, surpassing other major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC, in toxic air substance releases.
Sadly, the health impacts of this pollution are severe. For example, within a two-mile radius of the Port of Houston, leukemia rates among children are 50 times higher than those for outlying areas. In Galena Park, toxic sludge dumped from the port looks like small hills covered over by grass.
In another neighborhood, plans are moving forward to build a cement factory opposite a major hospital.
The hardest-hit communities in the Houston area are often lower-income and communities of color. These communities face regular emissions from industrial facilities and are taking matters into their own hands by installing air monitors to collect data, proving the direct link between the plants and pollution.
The data collected from these air monitors is needed to help hold state regulators and polluters accountable and to make informed health decisions.
In conclusion, the situation in Houston is a stark reminder of the importance of addressing air pollution. It is not only a public health issue but also a social justice issue. The communities most affected by pollution are often those with the least power to effect change. However, by working together and using tools like air monitors to collect data, these communities can hold polluters and regulators accountable and work towards a healthier future for all.
For more information, visit Air Alliance Houston.
