Overview
Houston Southwest Freeway is an air monitoring station in Houston, Texas, operated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. It is part of the NEAR ROAD network, providing data on criteria pollutants and air quality.
Houston Southwest Freeway is an air monitoring station located at 5617 Westward Avenue in Houston, Texas, within the United States. Operated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), this station is part of the NEAR ROAD network, which focuses on monitoring air quality near major roadways to assess traffic-related pollution impacts. The station is operational and contributes to the broader US EPA Air Quality System (AQS) monitoring network. The station's technical specifications include its classification as a NEAR ROAD site, indicating its strategic placement to capture emissions from nearby highways. The last reported sample date is August 31, 2025, reflecting ongoing data collection. As part of TCEQ's network, it adheres to EPA monitoring standards for criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides, supporting regulatory compliance and public health assessments. Environmental monitoring at this station is significant for understanding urban air quality dynamics in Houston, a major metropolitan area with diverse industrial and vehicular emission sources. The data supports local and state air quality management programs, helps identify pollution trends, and informs community exposure assessments. This station plays a key role in the national effort to maintain and improve air quality standards under the Clean Air Act.
Environmental context
Houston, Texas, is a large urban and industrial hub with significant air quality challenges, including emissions from petrochemical plants, refineries, and heavy traffic. The NEAR ROAD network specifically targets roadside pollution, capturing real-time data on pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter. This station's location near the Southwest Freeway provides representative data on commuter exposure and helps evaluate the effectiveness of emission control policies. The monitoring contributes to the EPA's AQS database, supporting regulatory compliance and public health research.
Frequently asked questions
The station is located at 5617 Westward Avenue in Houston, Texas, United States.
As a NEAR ROAD station, it monitors criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides to assess traffic-related air quality.
The station is operated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
The NEAR ROAD network is a US EPA program that establishes air monitoring stations near major roadways to measure traffic-related pollution and support health studies.
Data from this station feeds into the EPA's Air Quality System (AQS), helping to enforce National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and inform public health advisories.
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