The city wants to monitor air quality and measure cancer-causing emissions near two petrochemical plants, one of which announced plans for expansion last year.
A grant totaling close to half a million dollars from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will help the city of Houston monitor air pollutants including 1,3-butadiene in neighborhoods at high risk for poor air quality.
As Ysabella Kempe explains in Smart Cities Dive, “Exposure to this air pollutant, which smells like gasoline, can cause cancer and trigger short-term health impacts including eye and throat irritation, headaches and nausea.”
According to Loren Hopkins, the Houston Health Department’s chief environmental science officer, “This air monitoring effort was born out of concerns about ‘amazingly high concentrations’ of 1,3-butadiene the city detected near two adjacent chemical plants.” One of the plants, Texas Petrochemical, announced expansion plans in 2022 in spite of community concerns.
“Much of the grant funding will go toward the ‘very expensive’ equipment and sampling needed to monitor air quality, but the city also will use it to pay community partners helping with the project, Hopkins said.” The city also plans to monitor benzene, formaldehyde, and ethylene oxide.
FULL STORY: ‘Amazingly high’ air pollution near Houston chemical plants gets EPA monitoring support
Under Pressure, EPA Tightens Soot Standard
In what could be viewed as a classic environmentalist vs. business showdown, the EPA tightened by 20% the annual standard for soot over the objection of industry and some in Congress who fear it will dampen economic growth.
Poorest NYC Neighborhoods Pay Price for Delivery Boom
The rise of ‘last-mile’ e-commerce warehouses — and their attendant truck traffic and air pollution — is disproportionately impacting the most historically disadvantaged parts of the city.
Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
How Community Science Connects People, Parks, and Biodiversity
Community science engages people of all backgrounds in documenting local biodiversity, strengthening connections to nature, and contributing to global efforts like the City Nature Challenge to build a more inclusive and resilient future.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Dear Tesla Driver: “It’s not You, It’s Him.”
Amidst a booming bumper sticker industry, one writer offers solace to those asking, “Does this car make me look fascist?”
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Santa Clarita
Ascent Environmental
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service