Helping Houston residents monitor air quality and report pollution

Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

Residents of communities along the Houston Ship Channel united at the Galena Park Library to discuss air pollution and find solutions to protect themselves from industry emissions at a community event hosted by The Texas Tribune.

One resident shared the overpowering odor of rotten eggs and onions in her neighborhood, while a local bakery owner sought advice on preparing for potential chemical incidents. A young mother eagerly learned how to file air quality complaints with the state environmental agency while holding her baby.

Living near one of the world’s largest petrochemical complexes, these communities experience polluted air and strange odors as part of daily life. Yet, they have often felt neglected and unheard.

This event, part of The Texas Tribune’s community engagement efforts, was inspired by previous reporting on environmental health impacts in these communities. It aimed to bridge information gaps, distribute stories in person, and host a community-focused event.

From major chemical fires to routine industrial releases, residents near the Ship Channel face continuous environmental hazards.

A joint investigation by the Tribune and Public Health Watch into a 2019 chemical fire in Deer Park found dangerous benzene emission levels post-fire, with delayed communication of the risk to residents.

…
[Add more engaging content and visuals]
…

As The Texas Tribune’s signature event of the year, The Texas Tribune Festival brings Texans closer to politics, policy and the day’s news from Texas and beyond. Browse on-demand recordings and catch up on the biggest headlines from Festival events at the Tribune’s Festival news page.