Houston's air quality has dramatically improved and will continue to improve

Houston's air quality is monitored and analyzed using the most thorough network in the country

HRM and its members recognize our responsibility and have made significant investments as part of our commitment — but we can and will do better.

The Houston Regional Monitoring Network (HRM)

With more than 50 air monitors, Houston has the most extensive monitoring network in the U.S. The Houston Regional Monitoring Network is an important part of Houston's air monitoring system. HRM is committed to the scientific understanding of air quality in the Houston area. Our efforts focus on demonstrating attainment of all air quality standards.

Since 1980, HRM-member companies have invested nearly $30M in air monitoring. HRM operates nine air monitors in the region and has an annual operating budget of $2.2 million.

The goal of the Houston Regional Monitoring network is to provide our members with the best scientific air quality data available. Using this data, our members are able to make the best decisions about ways to effectively reduce air emissions.

We share this data with the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality, the City of Houston and Harris County. We also share data with citizens, elected officials and other agencies.

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Our Measuring Process

HRM, along with state and federal agencies collects air samples throughout the year to measure the level of certain compounds in the ambient air. Together with the monitoring conducted by state and federal agencies, we have a comprehensive understanding of the state of air quality in the Houston-area.

We collect air samples at each of our nine monitoring stations. We measure for:

• Ozone
• Particulate Matter
• Oxides of Nitrogen
• Carbon Monoxide
• Sulfur Dioxide
• Lead

• 157 VOCs are emitted by industries, utilities, small businesses, vehicles, household sources, and vegetation
• VOC samples are taken using EPA-approved methods and equipment. We sample every sixth day for a 24-hour period at each monitoring site.
• HRM has gathered approximately 8,400 VOC samples in the past 21 years with more than one million VOC results obtained by these samples.
• The Sampling methods are routinely audited using EPA-approved methods.

• Temperature, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, net solar radiation (solar energy)

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Analyzing the Data

• EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
• known benchmark concentrations
• computer modeling results
• data from other cities

We also share our results with the general public, participate in Educational Outreach activities and in numerous studies and committees with the goal of improving air quality in the Houston area.

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Last Update: 03/18/2009