Houston Air Quality John D. Wilson Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention

Happy New Year! Houston (cough cough) Aldine 150 µg/m 3 66 µg/m 3 12 Conroe 32 Channelview

World Trade Center Plume 24 hr. Mean = 25 ug/m 3

Unhealthy Air Days: 53 per Year Source: EPA Air Quality Index for the Houston Region, 2000–2003 J 5 10 FM A MJ J AS O ND Average Days per Month Very unhealthy (4) Unhealthy (15) Unhealthy for sensitive groups (34) Warning Level (0-1-0)(1-1-0)

Fine Particles 2001

Fine Particles in Houston GalvestonLa PorteChannelviewClintonAldineConroe Industry Gasoline Diesel Meat Cooking Minor Other / Unknown PM 2.5 (µg/m 3 ) Road Dust Synthesis of various data ( , ). Speciation from Matt Fraser, Rice University. Total PM 2.5 levels from TCEQ. California Standard Federal Standard

Freeway Impact on Fine Particles Additional Fine Particles Due to Freeway Traffic in 2020 (0.1 – 1.0 µg/m 3 )

Cancer Risk Additional Risk Due to Exposure to Air Pollution in Houston Area Industrial areas: – Additional risk of 500 – 1,000 per million – Highest measured risk at sites near western end of Houston Ship Channel Urban / suburban areas: –Additional risk of 200 – 450 per million Inadequate monitoring, especially outside Houston Ship Channel

Cancer Risk Additional Risk Due to Exposure to Air Pollution in Houston Area Diesel Particulates: 360 ( ) per million Butadiene: 32 ( ) per million Aldehydes: 27 (25-34) per million PAHs: (17) per million Metals: per million Benzene: 6 (4-14) per million Other organics: 1 (1-6) per million Acrolein Acrylonitrile

Chronic Disease & Air Pollution Worst pollutants (in order) Acrolein Formaldehyde Arsenic Ozone Diesel particulates Systems threatened (in order) Respiratory Skin and sense-organ Gastrointestinal & liver Cardiovascular & blood Neurotoxicity Developmental Kidney

Houston Air Quality John D. Wilson Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention

Which of the Following Caused the Most Death in the U.S., in 2001? a)Fine Particles:64,000(est.) b)Flu and pneumonia:62,000 c)Motor Vehicles:43,800 d)Suicides:30,600 e)Drugs:21,700 f)Homicides:20,000 g)Alcohol:19,800 h)Malaria:9 Source: CDC. National Vital Statistics Reports, 2003: U.S.EPA, NRDC Houston: 435 deaths per year due to fine particulates according to the Sonoma Study

PM10 PM2.5 Fine Particles Get Deep Into Your Lungs

Primary Particle Emissions

Secondary Particle Formation Industrial, power plant, and motor vehicle emissions NO X forms ozone and fine nitrate particulate matter SO 2 : a dangerous gas that forms especially toxic acidic sulfate particulate matter

Indoor Particle Levels When particle levels are high outdoors, they may also be high indoors Prevent particles from entering residence or vehicle –Close windows –Run air conditioning on recycle mode Reduce indoor sources of particles –Don’t smoke inside –Reduce use of gas or wood stoves –Don’t vacuum Air cleaner with HEPA filter will reduce particle levels indoors

How to Reduce Risk Dose = Concentration x Ventilation Rate x Time –Reduce concentration – schedule activities when pollution levels lower –Reduce ventilation rate by taking it easier –Reduce time spent in vigorous outdoor activities Pay attention to symptoms Follow asthma action plan