Clearing the Air in Houston: Using Science to Address Policy

The Houston-Galveston region hosts a large petrochemical complex and depends on automobiles as the primary mode of transportation. Compared to similar areas, the Houston region has elevated ambient levels of toxic air pollutants. The lack of either federal or state standards for the control of toxic air pollutants has made it difficult for local governments to address the health, economic, and quality of life issues created by elevated pollution levels. In order to develop a scientific basis for addressing these issues the City of Houston, and the Houston Endowment, initiated two research activities. An expert task force was created to advise the mayor's office, and a study was conducted on the scientific basis for developing ambient air guidelines and standards in many states and other jurisdictions. The mayor's task force developed a priority list of twelve high risk ambient air chemical exposures and the study recommended setting statewide ambient air standards for four of the twelve chemicals. The city has developed three policy initiatives 1) a binding, agreement with one industrial facility to reduce its emission of a toxic air pollutant, 2) a five year plan based on similar voluntary agreements to significantly reduce benzene emissions, and 3) a proposal to modify an existing nuisance ordinance to include emission of toxic air pollutants. This collaboration provides a model for the development of tailored local solutions to environmental pollution problems with the cooperation of local industry. Funded by Houston Endowment, City of Houston.