Key pollutants
EZ access to Houston & national air quality data
One of the requests we get quite often is help interpreting the various air quality forecasts and updates on current conditions.
We've taken a stab at simplifying this for you. Our new "Air quality conditions and forecasts" page provides a single location to find the best available information from:
- the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
- the US Environmental Protection Agency;
- Harris County; and
- the University of Houston Institute for Multi-dimensional Air Quality Studies.
Please let us know if you have questions or suggestions about this resource.
Mercury - a different kind of air pollutant
Many fish commonly caught or consumed in the Houston area are contaminated by mercury from air pollution.
Mercury is a neurotoxin and, according to the Texas Medical Association, “threatens human health and child
development.” In adults, mercury can permanently damage the brain and cardiovascular system and reduce fertility. Affected infants and young children may experience irreversible damage to their intelligence,learning capabilities, vision, and hearing.
Greenhouse gases in Houston
Houston is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, which are a cause of global warming and other evidence of human-induced climate change. The intensive amount of refinery and chemical plant production, along with electric generation, mean that this region's greenhouse gas emission rate is among the highest in the world.
Key pollutants
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