Industry Blocks Progress on Reducing Toxic Pollution 

For years, industry has cried for “sound science” and tried to paint environmentalists as unreasonable.  Yet despite the scientific community’s agreement that Houston’s toxic pollution is harmful to public health, industry stopped all attempts to address the problem at the recently concluded Texas Legislature. Who’s being unreasonable?

A joint press release of GHASP and Mothers for Clean Air 

The Houston-Galveston area leads the nation in industrial emissions of air toxics, according to a new report by Environment Texas, Toxic Pollution and Health. These chemicals can cause a variety of health effects, from cancer to diseases of the reproductive, respiratory and neurological systems. The data underscore the need for improved control of air toxics in Houston-area communities.

A recent GHASP report that examines state investigations of industrial cooling towers indicates that emissions from these sources may have declined by as much as 90% between 2002 and 2005. The report is based on a review of 20 investigations conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) during 2004-2005, as compared to a previous review of 12 TCEQ investigations from 2002-2003.