FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

More than 100 neighborhood sensors show PM2.5 averages above the current federal annual health standard as scrutiny of Houston-area particle pollution grows

HOUSTON, TX — A growing network of more than 100 community air monitors is revealing persistent fine-particle pollution across 10 Houston and Harris County-area communities, with annual-average PM2.5 measurements above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s current annual standard of 9 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) as analyzed by Air Alliance Houston’s Community Air Monitoring Program, or C.A.M.P.

The findings come as the Houston region faces renewed attention over fine-particle pollution following the EPA’s strengthening, and subsequent proposed rollback, of the annual PM2.5 standard from 12 µg/m³ to 9 µg/m³.

Air Alliance Houston’s neighborhood-scale monitoring provides an additional layer of information about pollution where people live, work, learn and play. The C.A.M.P. network has grown from roughly 50 sensors serving five communities in 2023 to more than 100 sensors across 10 communities today.

Among the communities monitored, Cloverleaf, Galena Park/Jacinto City and East Houston/Settegast recorded the highest annual-average PM2.5 concentrations in the C.A.M.P. network.

Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, consists of particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Exposure is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular harm, with children, older adults and people with existing health conditions among those at greater risk.

“Given these ongoing trends across the Greater Houston area, regulations and enforcement around particulate matter emissions need to be strengthened rather than rolled back.” said Anthony D’Souza, C.A.M.P. Manager. Dawson Phillips, research and policy coordinator added, “further loosening regulations, as proposed by our federal and state government, would only lead to a greater number of such morbidities experienced by residents, especially those in fenceline communities.”

100+ sensors, 10 communities

Air Alliance Houston currently operates community air-monitoring networks in:

Baytown; Channelview; Cloverleaf; Deer Park; East Houston/Settegast; Galena Park/Jacinto City; Kashmere Gardens/Greater Fifth Ward; Near Northside/Northline; and Pasadena. 

The monitors track several major categories of air pollution, including fine particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and volatile organic compounds.

The expanded network is designed to help residents better understand pollution patterns at the neighborhood level, including changes over time and differences between communities located near industrial facilities, highways, freight corridors and other pollution sources.

The data also show differences among pollutants and communities. Communities near the Houston Ship Channel, including Jacinto City, Pasadena and Cloverleaf, recorded comparatively higher volatile organic compound readings during portions of the monitoring period, with increases particularly noticeable in Mayo and Junio 2026.

Ozone followed a different pattern. The maximum eight-hour ozone concentration recorded by the network decreased from 95 parts per billion in 2025 to 67 parts per billion in 2026. Air Alliance Houston’s analysis points to greater rainfall in 2026 as a likely factor contributing to lower ozone formation.

Despite those lower ozone readings, the persistence of PM2.5 across the network demonstrates why year-round community monitoring remains important.

Filling in the neighborhood-scale picture

Regulatory air monitors provide essential information used by state and federal agencies to determine compliance with air-quality standards. Community monitoring serves a different but complementary purpose: placing more monitors closer to homes, schools, parks, churches and other locations where residents spend their time.

Air Alliance Houston emphasizes that C.A.M.P. sensors are community monitoring instruments and are not a substitute for federal regulatory monitors. The network is intended to identify local pollution patterns, help residents understand potential exposures, and inform requests for further investigation, pollution reduction and stronger protections.

The organization is now expanding community monitoring into additional communities, including East Aldine, La Porte, Texas City, Conroe and Greater East End.

Residents can view Air Alliance Houston’s community air-quality information and learn more about the C.A.M.P. network at airalliancehouston.org.

###