Pollution Analyst
How it works→
City · TRI 2024

Houston, Texas Pollution

98 TRI facilities inside the city limits and 457 public water systems serving residents. In-city TRI releases held roughly steady year over year (+4%). Toxic releases concentrations are up 47% since 2010.

FIPS 4835000 · population 2,296,253 · Harris County

Top facilities Water systemsPathwaysEquity context
IN-CITY TRI RELEASES · 2010–2024
Bar chart of annual values from 2010 to 2024, in lb. Most recent year (2024): 6.1M.6.2M'10'12'14'16'18'20'22'246.1M
Anomaly engine

Notable Signals

UNRESOLVED VIOLATION · SDWIS VIOLATION

Contaminant 7500

Unresolved Volatile Organic Chemical Rule violation cited in 2021 (contaminant 7500).

EPA SDWIS record →

UNRESOLVED VIOLATION · SDWIS VIOLATION

Contaminant 7500

Unresolved Volatile Organic Chemical Rule violation cited in 2020 (contaminant 7500).

EPA SDWIS record →

UNRESOLVED VIOLATION · SDWIS VIOLATION

Contaminant 5000

Unresolved Phase I/II/V Inorganic Chemical Rules violation cited in 2025 (contaminant 5000).

EPA SDWIS record →

UNRESOLVED VIOLATION · SDWIS VIOLATION

Contaminant 8000

Unresolved Revised Total Coliform Rule violation cited in 2023 (contaminant 8000).

EPA SDWIS record →

Showing the 4 most editorially weighted signals out of 207. Lower-severity signals fold into the chemical breakdown and history charts below.

Pollutant pathways

Houston Pollutant Multi-Year Trends

CRITERIA AIRSINCE 2010

PM2.5 annual mean (NAAQS 9 µg/m³ (annual))Health riskFine inhalable particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller. They travel deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream — linked to asthma, heart disease, stroke, and premature death.

10.37 µg/m³ · -3% YoY · -18% since 2010

PM2.5 annual mean (NAAQS 9 µg/m³ (annual)) concentrations have fallen 18% since 2010.

CRITERIA AIRSINCE 2010

PM2.5 24-hour 98th percentile (NAAQS 35 µg/m³ (24-hour))Health riskFine inhalable particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller. They travel deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream — linked to asthma, heart disease, stroke, and premature death.

23.56 µg/m³ · +1% YoY · -23% since 2010

PM2.5 24-hour 98th percentile (NAAQS 35 µg/m³ (24-hour)) concentrations have fallen 23% since 2010.

CRITERIA AIRSINCE 2010

Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max (NAAQS 0.070 ppm (8-hour))Health riskGround-level ozone (smog) forms when vehicle and industrial emissions react in sunlight. Inflames the airways, triggers asthma attacks, and worsens heart and lung disease.

0.082 ppm · +1% YoY · -21% since 2010

Ozone 8-hour 4th-highest daily max (NAAQS 0.070 ppm (8-hour)) concentrations have fallen 21% since 2010.

CRITERIA AIRSINCE 2010

NO₂ annual mean (NAAQS 53 ppb (annual))Health riskA tailpipe and combustion gas. Concentrates near busy roads and industrial sites; raises risk of airway inflammation, asthma, and lower respiratory infections in children.

8.7 ppb · -4% YoY · -42% since 2010

NO₂ annual mean (NAAQS 53 ppb (annual)) concentrations have fallen 42% since 2010.

HAZARDOUS AIR2020 VINTAGE

Lifetime cancer risk all pollutants (100 in a million (EPA elevated threshold))Health riskEPA-modeled added cancer cases per million residents from a lifetime of breathing local air toxics. EPA flags 100-in-a-million as elevated.

40.6 per million · 2020 vintage

Single-vintage exposure modeling — EPA cadence is multi-year, so no trend line yet.

HAZARDOUS AIR2020 VINTAGE

Formaldehyde ambient mean (0.077 µg/m³ (1-in-a-million URE))Health riskAn air toxic emitted by refineries, wood products, and combustion. EPA classifies it as a known human carcinogen — long-term inhalation raises cancer risk.

1.79 µg/m³ · 2020 vintage

Single-vintage exposure modeling — EPA cadence is multi-year, so no trend line yet.

HAZARDOUS AIR2020 VINTAGE

Benzene ambient mean (0.13 µg/m³ (1-in-a-million URE))Health riskAn air toxic from gasoline, refineries, and tobacco smoke. A known human carcinogen — chronic exposure is linked to leukemia and other blood cancers.

0.17 µg/m³ · 2020 vintage

Single-vintage exposure modeling — EPA cadence is multi-year, so no trend line yet.

TRI AIRSINCE 2010

TRI air releases (5.1 fugitive + 5.2 stack)Health riskToxic chemicals reported by industrial facilities as released into the air — fugitive leaks plus smokestack emissions. Higher pounds means more inhaled exposure for nearby residents.

1.3M lb · -3% YoY · +3% since 2010

TRI air releases (5.1 fugitive + 5.2 stack) concentrations are roughly unchanged from 2010.

TRI WATERSINCE 2010

TRI water releases (5.3)Health riskToxic chemicals reported by industrial facilities as discharged to surface waters (rivers, lakes, the ocean). Affects fishing, recreation, and downstream drinking-water intakes.

2.1M lb · +5% YoY · +683% since 2010

TRI water releases (5.3) concentrations have more than doubled since 2010.

TRI LANDSINCE 2010

TRI land + off-site releasesHealth riskToxic chemicals released to land on-site or transferred off-site for disposal — landfills, deep-well injection, and similar. Risks groundwater contamination over time.

2.7M lb · +7% YoY · +4% since 2010

TRI land + off-site releases concentrations are roughly unchanged from 2010.

GHGSINCE 2010

Greenhouse gases (GHGRP large emitters, through 2023)Health riskGreenhouse gases reported by large industrial emitters under EPA's GHGRP, in metric tons of CO₂ equivalent. Drives climate warming and the heat-related health effects that follow.

431.6M metric tons CO₂e · +7% YoY · +43% since 2010

Greenhouse gases (GHGRP large emitters, through 2023) concentrations are up 43% since 2010.

Top facilities · TRI 2024

Largest Emitters Inside The City

FacilityTop chemicalTotal releasesYoY
Valero Refining - Texas L.P. Houston RefineryValero Energy CORPNitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)Health riskDrinking-water nitrate causes methemoglobinemia ('blue-baby syndrome') in infants; EPA MCL is 10 mg/L as N. (EPA)2.2M lb+6%
Huntsman International LLCHuntsman CORP1,4-DioxaneHealth riskIARC Group 2B possible carcinogen; persistent in groundwater, resists conventional treatment. EPA HRL 0.35 µg/L (10⁻⁶ cancer risk). (IARC, EPA)598k lb+31%
Metalplate Galvanizing LPMetalplate Galvanizing LPZinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR)497k lb+15%
Metalplate Galvanizing LPMetalplate Galvanizing LPZinc compoundsHealth riskGenerally low acute toxicity. Chronic high-dose exposure disrupts copper absorption and immune function. (ATSDR)341k lb+0%
Allied Power GroupAllied Power Group LLCAluminum oxide (fibrous forms)Health riskFibrous forms can damage the lungs similar to other particulate dusts. (NIOSH)333k lb+5%
Houston Refining LPLyondellbasell Finance CoDiethanolamineHealth riskSkin and eye irritant. Reacts with nitrites to form nitrosamines (probable carcinogens). (NIOSH)312k lb-13%
Enduro Composites Inc.-Houston Central Green FacilityStyreneHealth riskIARC Group 2A probable carcinogen; central-nervous-system effects from inhalation. (IARC, EPA)189k lb-9%
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber COThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber CoStyreneHealth riskIARC Group 2A probable carcinogen; central-nervous-system effects from inhalation. (IARC, EPA)174k lb-21%
Pci Nitrogen LLCPasadena Commodities International LLCAmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)126k lb-0%
Invista HoustonKoch INCAmmoniaHealth riskSevere respiratory and eye irritant; high concentrations cause chemical burns to lung tissue. (EPA)107k lb+13%
Drinking water · SDWIS

Water Systems Serving Houston

1697 unresolved violations on the SDWIS record across utilities serving this city.

SDWIS · 5-YR WINDOW
457

Utilities serving

SDWIS · 5-YR WINDOW
5,179,309

Population served

SDWIS · 5-YR WINDOW
122

Health-based · 5yr

SDWIS · 5-YR WINDOW
1,697

Unresolved

Water systemPWSIDPopulation servedHealth-based · 5yrStatus
Trail Of The Lakes Mud MunicipalTX10106179,48026UNRESOLVED
Harris County Wcid 114 MunicipalTX10103175,16018UNRESOLVED
Southwest Harris County Mud 1 MunicipalTX10119111,5815UNRESOLVED
Mission Bend Mud 2 MunicipalTX101182610,1554UNRESOLVED
West Harris County Mud 10 MunicipalTX10120686,6974UNRESOLVED
Kleinwood Mud MunicipalTX10104404,8724UNRESOLVED
Renn Road Mud MunicipalTX10118344,4644UNRESOLVED
Cypresswood Utility District MunicipalTX10104324,3053UNRESOLVED
Rice University PrivateTX10109088,4152UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 144 MunicipalTX10109233,2192UNRESOLVED
Northwoods Mobile Home Park PrivateTX1011956452UNRESOLVED
Northwest Harris County Mud 29 MunicipalTX10122933,0001UNRESOLVED
West Houston Mhc PrivateTX10105836301UNRESOLVED
Harris County Fwsd 45 MunicipalTX10105455041UNRESOLVED
Tidwell Forest New Subdivision PrivateTX10132472251UNRESOLVED
Aldine Gardens Mobile Home Park PrivateTX10108251261UNRESOLVED
Harris County Leadership Academy MunicipalTX10132051251UNRESOLVED
Renes Water System PrivateTX10105781001UNRESOLVED
Reed Estates Water System PrivateTX1010945961UNRESOLVED
Bluebonnet Mobile Home Park PrivateTX1010691931UNRESOLVED
Padok Timbers Subdivision Ws PrivateTX1012130921UNRESOLVED
Zam Zam Water Supply PrivateTX1011747871UNRESOLVED
Villa Utilities PrivateTX1011183851UNRESOLVED
Cna Plaza Apartments PrivateTX1010689801UNRESOLVED
Sunset Mobile Home Park 2 PrivateTX1011972781UNRESOLVED
Lone Willow Mhp West PrivateTX1010663751UNRESOLVED
Tallows Mobile Home Park PrivateTX1010863721UNRESOLVED
Country Living Mobile Home Park PrivateTX1011638721UNRESOLVED
Satsuma Park Villa Mobile Home Park PrivateTX1010763661UNRESOLVED
Peek Road Mobile Home Park PrivateTX1012861631UNRESOLVED
Tepatitlan Mobile Home Park PrivateTX1010667421UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 24 MunicipalTX101057214,7963Returned to compliance
City Of Houston MunicipalTX10100132,970,5432Returned to compliance
Harris County Mud 196 MunicipalTX10130027,0262Returned to compliance
Mcfarland Village Apartments PrivateTX10129821202Returned to compliance
Roving Meadows Water System PrivateTX10122601052Returned to compliance
Estates Water Corp PrivateTX1010675582Returned to compliance
Central Harris County Regional Water Aut MunicipalTX101342902Returned to compliance
Harris County Mud 46 MunicipalTX10109035,4181Returned to compliance
Mayde Creek Mud MunicipalTX10116895,1001Returned to compliance
Five Oaks Mobile Home Subdivision PrivateTX10118329151Returned to compliance
Kingmont Mobile Home Park PrivateTX10128924201Returned to compliance
Bayou Forest Village Mobile Home Park PrivateTX10119952971Returned to compliance
Deer Trail Mobile Home Park PrivateTX10106861261Returned to compliance
Fairway Mobile Home Village PrivateTX1010795841Returned to compliance
La Casita Homes Ii PrivateTX1010648751Returned to compliance
K Lake Terrace PrivateTX1012710541Returned to compliance
Balaban Apartments 2 PrivateTX1011028501Returned to compliance
Sunset Mobile Home Park 1 PrivateTX1011984451Returned to compliance
K Estates Water System PrivateTX1012868401Returned to compliance
North Channel Water Authority MunicipalTX101309201Returned to compliance
Harris County Mud 82 MunicipalTX101063018,9900UNRESOLVED
Northwest Park Mud MunicipalTX101059318,1680UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 53 MunicipalTX101072017,8560UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 26 MunicipalTX101071517,1780UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 105 MunicipalTX101122714,9250UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 285 MunicipalTX101267714,2680UNRESOLVED
Newport Mud MunicipalTX101036213,1910UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 49 MunicipalTX101146210,8930UNRESOLVED
Harris County Wcid 109 MunicipalTX101035910,1340UNRESOLVED
Harris-Fort Bend Counties Mud 3 MunicipalTX10133659,2970UNRESOLVED
Sunbelt Fwsd High Meadows Subdivision MunicipalTX10102928,9460UNRESOLVED
West Park Mud MunicipalTX10119308,1060UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 468 MunicipalTX10133697,9440UNRESOLVED
Northwest Harris County Mud 12 MunicipalTX10119017,8390UNRESOLVED
Emerald Forest Utility District MunicipalTX10105417,3260UNRESOLVED
Sagemeadow Utility District MunicipalTX10103866,9870UNRESOLVED
West Harris County Mud 2 Chase MunicipalTX10110296,9210UNRESOLVED
Mills Road Mud MunicipalTX10111076,7170UNRESOLVED
North Park Pud MunicipalTX10107456,7080UNRESOLVED
Mission Bend Mud 1 MunicipalTX10117186,5460UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 400 - East MunicipalTX10134166,0660UNRESOLVED
Prestonwood Forest Utility District MunicipalTX10104675,9400UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 43 MunicipalTX10105655,9400UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 70 MunicipalTX10116905,7630UNRESOLVED
Northwest Harris County Mud 19 MunicipalTX10119275,5350UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 148 Kingslake MunicipalTX10109385,4480UNRESOLVED
West Harris County Mud 7 MunicipalTX10122285,2890UNRESOLVED
Harris County Improvement District 18 MunicipalTX10134795,0250UNRESOLVED
Northwest Harris County Mud 32 MunicipalTX10130345,0160UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 495 MunicipalTX10135325,0070UNRESOLVED
North Green Mud MunicipalTX10103314,9410UNRESOLVED
Harris County Wcid 92 MunicipalTX10101244,7520UNRESOLVED
Sunbelt Fwsd Woodland Oaks Subdivision MunicipalTX10107584,5780UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 344 MunicipalTX10129744,5180UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 365 MunicipalTX10130094,4610UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 172 MunicipalTX10129704,4040UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 342 MunicipalTX10129734,0350UNRESOLVED
City Of Bunker Hill Village MunicipalTX10101063,7710UNRESOLVED
Northgate Crossing Mud 2 MunicipalTX10130783,7530UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 401 MunicipalTX10132893,7500UNRESOLVED
Encanto Real Utility District MunicipalTX10106873,7170UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 11 MunicipalTX10104263,6450UNRESOLVED
Harris County Wcid 132 MunicipalTX10104133,5010UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 257 MunicipalTX10129853,5010UNRESOLVED
Harris County Ud 15 MunicipalTX10117783,4890UNRESOLVED
Oakmont Pud MunicipalTX10129813,4500UNRESOLVED
West Harris County Mud 17 MunicipalTX10122383,3540UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 23 MunicipalTX10106493,1700UNRESOLVED
Harris County Wcid Fondren Road MunicipalTX10102493,1440UNRESOLVED
Harris County Wcid 161 MunicipalTX10136123,1290UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 480 MunicipalTX10134002,9640UNRESOLVED
Morton Road Mud MunicipalTX10116852,8170UNRESOLVED
Timberlake Improvement District MunicipalTX10104472,7750UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 542 MunicipalTX10135732,5920UNRESOLVED
Harris County Wcid 99 MunicipalTX10106842,3430UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 422 MunicipalTX10136322,3070UNRESOLVED
Generation Park Management District MunicipalTX10133871,6870UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 552 MunicipalTX10138431,6830UNRESOLVED
West Harris County Mud 4 MunicipalTX10118251,5810UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 205 MunicipalTX10127041,5600UNRESOLVED
North Forest Mud MunicipalTX10102981,5450UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 261 MunicipalTX10128661,4520UNRESOLVED
Louetta Road Utility District MunicipalTX10105361,4100UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 551 MunicipalTX10136881,2690UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 255 MunicipalTX10127661,1850UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 321 MunicipalTX10129138820UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 578 MunicipalTX10137645760UNRESOLVED
Ralston Acres Water Supply Corporation MunicipalTX10101963850UNRESOLVED
Greenland Square Subdivision Ws PrivateTX10130553570UNRESOLVED
Kirby Landing Community PrivateTX10138352850UNRESOLVED
Lincoln Square Subdivision Pws PrivateTX10131111890UNRESOLVED
Champion Lakes Estates Water Plant PrivateTX10131461740UNRESOLVED
Aldine Oaks Mhp PrivateTX10106581500UNRESOLVED
Suburban Mobile Home Park 2 PrivateTX10107601200UNRESOLVED
Country Living Apartments PrivateTX10115011050UNRESOLVED
Cypresswood Mhp PrivateTX1011112960UNRESOLVED
Highland Meadows Mobile Home Park PrivateTX1010914870UNRESOLVED
Fairview Mobile Home Community PrivateTX1011268840UNRESOLVED
Fairview Gardens Mhp PrivateTX1010821750UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 25 Brook Hollow West S MunicipalTX1010422690UNRESOLVED
Granger Subdivision PrivateTX1013325600UNRESOLVED
Harris County Mud 478 Water Plant 1 MunicipalTX101386600UNRESOLVED

Showing the 133 systems with recorded health-based or unresolved violations. 324 additional systems are in compliance with no recorded health-based violations in the past 5 years and are not individually tabulated.

A public water systemis the regulated entity, not the city. EPA's SDWIS definition covers anything serving 25+ people for 60+ days a year or with 15+ service connections — that includes municipal utilities (City of Stockton), water districts, mobile home parks operating their own wells, schools, and small private subdivisions. Each system is independently monitored. Some systems serve multiple cities; some cities are served by many systems.

Superfund / NPL sites

Federal Cleanup Sites In Houston

Sites on EPA's Superfund National Priorities List, plus deleted sites whose cleanup objectives EPA has finalized. Federal-facility sites (defense, DOE, etc.) are flagged separately. Each link routes to a per-site page.

Methodology →

SiteStatusFederal facilityPrimary contaminant
Crystal Chemical Co.NPL FINALNoArsenicHealth riskIARC Group 1 carcinogen via inhalation and ingestion. EPA MCL 10 µg/L; chronic exposure causes skin, lung, bladder cancer and cardiovascular disease. (IARC, EPA, ATSDR)
Geneva Industries/Fuhrmann EnergyNPL FINALNo1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-Octachlorodibenzo[B,E][1,4]Dioxin (Ocdd)
Jones Road Ground Water PlumeNPL FINALNoChloroethene (Vinyl Chloride)Health riskIARC Group 1 carcinogen — angiosarcoma of the liver. Final TCE/PCE biodegradation product; commonly found in groundwater plumes. EPA MCL 2 µg/L. (IARC, EPA)
Many Diversified Interests, Inc.NPL FINALNoLeadHealth riskNeurotoxin. Even low childhood exposure impairs cognitive development; chronic adult exposure damages kidneys and the cardiovascular system. (EPA, ATSDR)
North Cavalcade StreetNPL FINALNoNaphthaleneHealth riskIARC Group 2B possible carcinogen; causes hemolytic anemia, especially in infants. (IARC)
Patrick BayouNPL FINALNo—
Sol Lynn/Industrial TransformersNPL FINALNoPolychlorinated Biphenyls (Pcbs)Health riskPCBs. IARC Group 1 carcinogen; immune, reproductive, and neurological effects; bioaccumulate in fish and breast milk. Banned in 1979; persist as legacy contamination. (IARC, EPA)
South Cavalcade StreetNPL FINALNoArsenicHealth riskIARC Group 1 carcinogen via inhalation and ingestion. EPA MCL 10 µg/L; chronic exposure causes skin, lung, bladder cancer and cardiovascular disease. (IARC, EPA, ATSDR)
Us Oil RecoveryNPL FINALNo—
Harris (Farley Street)DELETEDNoNitrate/Nitrite
Equity context · ACS 2018-2022 · USEPA-clone EJ disparity

Who Lives In Houston

Houston, Texas (Census place block groups): 2,296,253 residents. City disparity score for pm2.5 (fine particulate) sits well above the reference burden (191). Why we surface this →

POPULATION SHARE
19.6%

Low-income

POPULATION SHARE
76.4%

People of color

POPULATION SHARE
6.5%

Under age 5

POPULATION SHARE
11.6%

Over age 64

NATIONAL PERCENTILE · vs all US block groups (population-weighted; ranked against the national EJScreen indicator distribution)

  • PM2.5 (fine particulate)Health riskFine inhalable particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller. They travel deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream — linked to asthma, heart disease, stroke, and premature death.88in the highest 20% nationally
  • OzoneHealth riskGround-level ozone (smog) inflames the airways. Even short exposures trigger asthma attacks and worsen chronic lung and heart disease.70above the national median
  • Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)Health riskA tailpipe and combustion gas. Concentrates near busy roads and industrial sites; raises risk of airway inflammation, asthma, and lower respiratory infections in children.96in the highest 5% nationally
  • Diesel particulateHealth riskSoot from diesel engines (trucks, trains, ports, construction). EPA classifies it as a likely human carcinogen and a major driver of childhood asthma near freight corridors.78above the national median
  • Toxic releases (RSEI)Health riskEPA's Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators score — weights TRI chemical releases by toxicity, where they go, and how many people are nearby. Higher means greater modeled cancer and chronic-health risk.98in the highest 5% nationally
  • Traffic proximityHealth riskPopulation-weighted distance to high-volume roads. Living close to heavy traffic raises exposure to PM2.5, NO₂, and diesel exhaust — and the cardiovascular and asthma risks that follow.81in the highest 20% nationally
  • Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing)Health riskShare of housing built before 1960, when lead-based paint was common. Dust from deteriorating paint is the leading cause of childhood lead poisoning, which permanently impairs cognitive development.54near the national median
  • Superfund site proximityHealth riskPopulation-weighted distance to NPL Superfund sites — the most contaminated waste sites in the country. Nearby groundwater, soil, and air can carry industrial solvents, metals, and other long-lived contaminants.79above the national median
  • RMP-facility proximityHealth riskDistance to facilities holding chemicals at quantities large enough to require an EPA Risk Management Plan (refineries, fertilizer plants, etc.). These pose acute exposure risk during accidental releases.89in the highest 20% nationally
  • Hazardous-waste site proximityHealth riskDistance to RCRA hazardous-waste handlers (treatment, storage, disposal facilities). Indicates potential exposure to industrial chemicals in air, soil, and groundwater.71above the national median
  • Underground storage tanksHealth riskDensity of underground tanks (gasoline, heating oil, industrial fluids). Leaking tanks are a leading source of benzene and other volatile organic compounds in groundwater drinking-water supplies.79above the national median
  • NPDES wastewater proximityHealth riskDistance to permitted industrial wastewater dischargers. Closer proximity raises exposure to pollutants released into surface waters used for fishing, recreation, and downstream drinking-water intakes.82in the highest 20% nationally
  • Drinking-water non-complianceHealth riskEPA score for public water systems with health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violations. Higher means more residents on systems that recently exceeded safe limits for contaminants like lead, arsenic, or nitrate.76above the national median
EJ disparity scores · population-weighted across city block groups (100 = national reference; higher = greater disparate burden)
IndicatorDisparity scoreReading
PM2.5 (fine particulate)191well above the reference burden
Ozone53below the reference
Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)198well above the reference burden
Diesel particulate160well above the reference burden
Toxic releases (RSEI)208severely above the reference burden
Traffic proximity164well above the reference burden
Lead-paint risk (pre-1960 housing)77below the reference
Superfund site proximity136moderately above the reference
RMP-facility proximity178well above the reference burden
Hazardous-waste site proximity143moderately above the reference
Underground storage tanks152well above the reference burden
NPDES wastewater proximity125moderately above the reference
Drinking-water non-compliance3well below the reference

Source: Census ACS 2018-2022 (5-year) + USEPA-clone EJ blockgroup stats (raw indicators + EJ disparity mirror).

Health context

Co-Located Health Indicators

Modeled adult-prevalence estimates published by CDC PLACES, paired with this city's pollution and demographic context. Comparisons are ecological, not causal — pollution and disease prevalence covary at the area level, but the data does not attribute any individual's diagnosis to local exposure. How this section works →

Adult asthma (current)

BRFSS 2023
9.4%
-1% vs Texas mean-6% vs US mean

CDC PLACES · 2025 release · BRFSS 2022-2023

COPD prevalence

BRFSS 2023
5.9%
+10% vs Texas mean+9% vs US mean

CDC PLACES · 2025 release · BRFSS 2022-2023

Coronary heart disease

BRFSS 2023
5.6%
+10% vs Texas mean+11% vs US mean

CDC PLACES · 2025 release · BRFSS 2022-2023

Diabetes (diagnosed)

BRFSS 2023
13.9%
+17% vs Texas mean+38% vs US mean

CDC PLACES · 2025 release · BRFSS 2022-2023

Frequent mental distress

BRFSS 2023
17.1%
-2% vs Texas mean+0% vs US mean

CDC PLACES · 2025 release · BRFSS 2022-2023

PLACES uses BRFSS-modeled small-area estimates, not individual records. Crude prevalence shown above is the local rate as published; comparators are age-adjusted vs the Texas mean and the US mean — both population-weighted across counties — so geographies with different age structures stay apples-to-apples. Sources: CDC PLACES · 2025 release · BRFSS 2022-2023.

Sources.