According to many, Houston is a land flowing with milk and honey. Everyone and their favorite celebrity is either moving here or simply buying land. Two years ago, the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Places to Live” ranking for 2023-2024 stated “A paycheck goes further in Houston than it does in other major metro areas, with affordable housing and free or cheap attractions like biking along Buffalo Bayou and exploring the 7,800-acre George Bush Park. The affordability of this region, which is located in southeastern Texas and home to more than 7 million residents in the metro area, is attracting new people from across the country and around the world.” Houston was ranked number 39 when that report came out; today Houston ranks number 140. What changed?
Houston, a city known for its resilience and dynamic energy, is facing a pressing issue that demands our immediate attention — air quality. As we delve into the intricacies of the 2023 air quality in Houston, it becomes evident that the air we breathe is a collective responsibility, and the time to act is now.
In recent years, Houston has been grappling with air quality concerns that extend beyond the regular challenges of an urban environment. The city’s industrial landscape, vehicular emissions, and geographic susceptibility to weather patterns contribute to the complexity of this issue. According to recent air quality reports, Houston has experienced elevated levels of pollutants, including ozone and particulate matter, which pose significant risks to public health.
Recently, Air Alliance Houston took Houston Media on a Toxic Bus Tour of the Houston Ship Channel. Along the way, we stopped to speak with residents and ambassadors who have an active share in assisting AAH in its mission to reduce public health impacts from air pollution through research, education, and advocacy. During the tour, they also shared a report that examined the health impacts and related costs that are associated with Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5), Sulfur dioxide (SO2), and Nitrogen oxides (NOx) released by 47 of the largest point source industrial facilities in Harris County, using air dispersion modeling. The health outcomes of interest were excess mortality and asthma hospitalizations. The health implications of poor air quality are far-reaching. Respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, and exacerbated pre-existing conditions are just the tip of the iceberg. Vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory ailments, bear the brunt of these environmental hazards. The invisible menace in the air is affecting the very fabric of our communities, brown and black communities to be exact.
It was interesting to note “Houston’s Arrow” pointing to the harrowing fact that where you live in Houston determines how long you live on Earth. In the additional diagram below there is a 20-year gap in life expectancy between black and brown communities, majority white communities.
Where you live, learn, play, and work should not determine your health. Everyone has a right to breathe clean air. Unfortunately, that is not the case in Houston.
The question then arises — what is being done to address this growing concern?
Houston, being the forward-thinking city that it is, has taken steps to mitigate air quality issues. Increased monitoring and data collection initiatives aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the sources and patterns of air pollution. Regulatory measures are being revisited and strengthened to ensure industries comply with stringent emissions standards. However, the effectiveness of these measures depends on collaborative efforts from both the public and private sectors. Here is where you come in.
Individual choices, too, play a pivotal role. From opting for sustainable transportation options to reducing energy consumption, every action we take contributes to the overall improvement of air quality. Environmental education campaigns and events like those implemented by Air Alliance Houston can empower Houstonians to make informed decisions about their lifestyle choices and their impact on the air we all share.
On December 7th, there will be a webinar and in-person informational meeting Air Alliance Houston is inviting you to!
1) Webinar: Health Impacts of Air Pollution: How Providers Can Address the Harm
Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023
Time: 12 pm-1:30pm
Where: Online Via Zoom
Register Here: https://secure.airalliancehouston.org/a/addressing-airpollution
*The media advisory and invitation are also attached to this email.
2) Texas Coastal Materials (LBJ Hospital) Informational Meeting
Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023
Time: 6 pm
Where: New Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in the gym
711 Kelley Street Houston, TX 77026
Joining webinars and in-person events like these are opportunities for you to showcase your commitment to keeping your community healthy. It’s also a call to action for citizens, businesses, and policymakers alike to collaborate in crafting a future where we don’t just survive but thrive. Houstonians have overcome adversity before; this challenge should be no exception. By acknowledging the severity of the air quality issue, engaging in open dialogues, and implementing innovative solutions, we can breathe life into a cleaner, healthier Houston.
About Air Alliance Houston:
Air Alliance Houston was founded in the late 1980s to reduce the public health impacts of air pollution and advance environmental justice through research, education, and advocacy. Every environmental decision is an opportunity for community voice. Those who have been harmed by air pollution must influence decisions made about air pollution. The lack of transparency in the current environmental decision-making process is an intentional decision to disenfranchise communities.
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airalliancehouston.org/our-work/media-resources/
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