Overview
Smith Point Hawkins Camp is an operational air monitoring station in Anahuac, Texas, managed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. It contributes to the US EPA Air Quality System network, tracking criteria pollutants and supporting region
Smith Point Hawkins Camp is an air monitoring station located at 1850 Hawkins Camp Rd in Anahuac, Chambers County, Texas. Operated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), it is part of the broader US EPA Air Quality System (AQS) network, which monitors ambient air quality across the United States. The station serves the Houston-Galveston area, a region with significant industrial and urban emissions. The station collects data on criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides, in line with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). As a TCEQ-operated site, it follows rigorous quality assurance protocols and reports data to the EPA's AQS database. The last sample date was September 18, 2024, indicating ongoing operation. The station's location near the Gulf Coast provides valuable data on coastal air quality influences. This monitoring station plays a key role in assessing air quality trends in Chambers County and the surrounding region. Its data supports public health advisories, regulatory compliance, and research on pollution transport from industrial sources. The station contributes to the state's air quality management efforts, helping to protect communities and ecosystems in the Houston metropolitan area.
Environmental context
The station is situated in a coastal area near the Gulf of Mexico, where air quality can be influenced by emissions from petrochemical facilities, shipping, and urban sprawl from Houston. Monitoring criteria pollutants like ozone and PM2.5 is critical due to the region's nonattainment status for ozone under the NAAQS. The site's representativeness is enhanced by its location away from immediate local sources, providing background air quality data for the region.
Frequently asked questions
Smith Point Hawkins Camp is located at 1850 Hawkins Camp Rd in Anahuac, Chambers County, Texas, United States.
The station is operated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), which manages air quality monitoring across Texas.
As part of the US EPA Air Quality System, the station monitors criteria pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, in accordance with NAAQS.
Data from the station is reported to the EPA's AQS database and used for compliance with the Clean Air Act, including state implementation plans and public health alerts.
Chambers County is near industrial zones and the Gulf Coast, making air monitoring essential for tracking pollution from refineries, petrochemical plants, and maritime activities, and for protecting public health.
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