1. Shell Center for Sustainable Development Seminar
Measurement Data is Crucial To Understanding Ozone Non-Attainment Issues in Houston
Walt Crow
Shell Center for Sustainable Development Seminar
October 6, 2004

2. Background
HRVOCs participate in the “rapid” and “efficient” formation of ground-level ozone in Houston
Reductions in both emissions of NOx and VOC will be necessary to achieve attainment of both the 1-hour and 8-hour ozone standards in Houston
Carefully crafted measurements are needed to:
understand ozone formation mechanisms;
characterize the complex meteorology of the region;
better understand emission source and reactivity profiles;
help validate photochemical and meteorological model performance;
validate emission inventory estimates
assess impact of transport of photochemical oxidants
develop effective emission control strategies
document improvements in air quality; and
ensure compliance with proposed regulations.

3. What New Monitoring Initiatives Are Planned or are Underway?
TexAQS II will focus on both urban and regional ozone formation and transport processes needed to develop effective strategies for complying with the:
1-hour ozone and 8-hour ozone standards in Texas
The EISMN (Enhanced Industry Sponsored Monitoring Network) has added seven new automated GCs to HGB region to gather information needed to:
develop reactivity source profiles
help reconcile differences in reported emissions inventories
help verify emission reductions of certain reactive VOCs
New rules require real-time monitoring of HRVOCs from Flares, Cooling Towers, and uncontrolled Process Vents

4. What New Monitoring Initiatives Are Planned or are Underway (Continued)
EMRS (Environmental Monitoring and Response System) - a TCEQ/Industry initiative to use near-real-time monitoring data to alert industry participants when elevated pollutant levels are detected in the atmosphere. EMRS will:
prompt the investigation of facility of activities
file routine notification reports to the agency
will lead to best management practices to reduce emissions industrial pollutants
Expanded ground-based ozone monitoring network in Houston area
TCEQ is evaluating new remote sensing methods for monitoring real-time destruction efficiencies from industrial flares

5. Automated Gas Chromatograph

6. Passive Radiometric-FTIR System

7. Passive FTIR At Flare Test