Public Concerned About Houston's Worsening Smog

HOUSTON -- Some Houstonians voiced their concerns Monday that the air we breathe is getting worse in parts of the city, KPRC Local reported.

Dangerous levels of smog are in various parts of the city, according to state officials.

One of the last areas in Harris County scheduled to meet federal health standards for ground-level ozone will be around Burnett Bayland Park in southwest Houston on Bissonnet at Braeburn, officials said.

Predictions show that it will be 2018 before the levels are federally safe.

"I did not even know that the quality of the area around here was that bad," a resident said.

"We put a man on the moon. We can clean up the air in Houston. We just need cooperation and we need leadership," said Jane Laping, with Mothers For Clean Air.

Houston's bad air starts with industrial plants and the ship channel releasing nitrogen oxide, which becomes ozone when mixed with sunlight. Wind carries the plume across the city.

"Houston is a perfect ozone creating machine. It's just a combination of all of the industry down here, all of the cars down here and the weather," said Andy Saenz with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Members of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality heard from the public, which was outraged that another federal deadline will not be made.

"We deserve clean air. Who doesn't deserve clean air if you want to live?" resident Annie Stewart said.

Officials said Houston has made progress on vehicle emissions, but there's more work to be done.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recommended that ships use low-emission diesel fuel and implement better monitoring and controlling of pollution from storage tanks.

The Environmental Protection Agency will have the ultimate decision on what measures should be taken.

The second session for public comments will be held Monday at 6 p.m. at 3555 Timmons Lane.

Written comments, via letters or e-mail, are also accepted but must be received by Feb. 12.

For more information visit Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.