Community Air Monitoring Network
Monitoring Our Air
Greater Houston is home to over 500 facilities listed in the EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). In 2017, more toxic pollution was released in the Houston Metropolitan area than by the top five U.S. Metropolitan economies combined. Lax land-use policies and sprawling residential development have resulted in industrial and transportation-related air pollution sources being located near many Houston communities. At the same time, the current monitoring network has been designed to determine compliance with federal air quality standards and is often inadequate for identifying localized sources of air pollution which could put public health at risk. Significant gaps in the public air monitoring network mean many Houstonians don’t know what’s in the air they are breathing.
The below map shows the locations of TRI facilities in Harris County and existing air monitors, illustrating the lack of monitoring coverage in many high-risk areas.
Harris County VOC monitoring locations (purple crosses) and PM 2.5 (red crosses) with TRI facility locations (dots). The polygons encapsulate the nearest monitor for the area within.
What we’re doing
A community-based air monitoring network
We are collaborating with Harris County, partners, and community groups to help inform the expansion of the county’s air monitoring network. Additionally, we are building our own community-based air monitoring network to supplement regional efforts. We currently have air quality monitors in Pasadena and Galena Park/Jacinto City and three of Houston’s ‘Complete Communities’: Kashmere Garden, Gulfton, and Near Northside, with plans for more. This low-cost network is being designed to address neighborhood-level air quality concerns in communities with the greatest risks. It will comprise a mix of air monitors, including the already installed Purple Air particulate matter monitors and APIS air monitors that will detect common pollutants. This additional air monitoring capacity will help identify and raise awareness about air pollution sources in neighborhoods most impacted by poor air quality. Equally importantly, it will guide mitigative strategies and public policy to protect health.
Want to host an air monitor or have questions?
We are working in many communities, including Pasadena, Galena Park, Kashmere Gardens, Near Northside, and Gulfton.
Please contact Juan Flores at [email protected] | 713.553.6351
Learn more
A local look at air pollution highlights inequalities within cities
Chemical & Engineering News, June 20, 2021
‘This Is How We Defend Ourselves’ — Harris County Residents Install DIY Pollution Monitoring Network
Houston Public Media, February 8, 2021
The Fire Triangle: Shelter in Place
Texas Public Radio, January 31, 2021
‘We’ve got to defend ourselves’: Pasadena residents join other communities monitoring their own air quality
Houston Chronicle, January 19, 2021
Harris County, Houston aim to fix air monitoring that ‘seemed like chaos’ during ITC fire County boosts pollution efforts, staff in response to spring chemical fires
Houston Chronicle, October 14, 2020
Harris County boosts pollution efforts, staff in response to spring chemical fires
Houston Chronicle, September 10, 2019
Recent Posts
Searching for volunteers to host air monitors in the Gulfton area
[email protected]2021-11-14T20:31:31-06:00October 11th, 2021|News|
Follow-Up: Community Air Pollution Mapping Sessions – July 8 – August 19, 2021
riikka2021-08-19T18:15:56-05:00August 17th, 2021|Events, Past Events|
Community Air Pollution Mapping Session Series – May 12 – 25
[email protected]2021-09-15T14:01:31-05:00May 4th, 2021|Events, Past Events|