Archives > Flower Mound Leader > News
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Report: VOCs below TCEQ levels
By Chris Roark, Croark@acnpapers.com
It was more of the same news for the latest ambient air quality study in Flower Mound.
According to the fourth-quarter study, which was conducted by independent environmental testing agency Kleinfelder, Inc., “the observed concentrations appear to be consistent with published background ambient air concentrations observed in similar urban environments and consistent with the earlier sampling in Flower Mound and collected by others in similar environments.”
The study took place from Nov. 16-17 at nine locations around Flower Mound. Eight of the locations were the same sites of the previous studies: 300 feet of the Furst Ranch Pad site, at the Armstrong-Huggins pad site, the intersection of Sunnyview Lane and High Road, west of Fire Station No. 2 on Shiloh and Cross Timbers roads, northwest of the Sam Wilson pad site along Scenic Drive, the western parking area of Liberty Elementary School north of Quail Run, on Timber Creek Road and next to the Gerault Park baseball fields.
The study observed about 60 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and tentatively identified compounds, such as benzene and carbon disulfide.
The report stated that while some of the VOCs were above detection levels, none of them surpassed short-term effects screening levels (ESL) or Air Monitoring Comparison Values (AMCV).
AMCV is a standard developed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that refers to all odor-, vegetative- and health-based values used in reviewing air monitoring data. ESLs are used for air permitting and air monitoring.
Among the VOCs observed was benzene, which is a known carcinogen.
The short-term ESL for benzene, as determined by TCEQ, is 54 parts per billion (ppb). Benzene’s short-term AMCV level, which assumes one hour of exposure to the chemical, is 180 ppb. Benzene’s long-term AMCV level, which assumes exposure to the chemical 24 hours a day, seven days a week for 70 years, is 1.4 ppb.
The highest level of benzene detected in the fourth-quarter study was 0.35 ppb, which was detected at the Hilliard site.
For the year, the highest detection of benzene at any of the sites in Kleinfelder quarterly studies in Flower Mound was at the Scenic Drive location in February. That measured a 1.07 ppb.
The results are similar to those from the Auto GC monitoring station near the intersection of Cross Timbers and Shiloh roads, which was provided to the town by TCEQ.
“It’s encouraging to see that the latest round of testing supports the trend that we’ve seen over the past year in our previous independent analysis and the results that are being produced by TCEQ’s Auto GC station,” said town spokesman Michael Ryan.
To view the report, go to http://www.flower-mound.com/env_resources/pix/pdf/FlowerMoundAirEval_4thQuarterFinal_1-5-11[RF].pdf.
In addition to the fourth-quarter results, the town has announced that it will increase its ambient air quality testing from quarterly to monthly. It will also expand its scope to include sulfides and formaldehyde. Supplemental testing will take place to test for sulfides and formaldehyde.
Those will join other efforts in town to track air quality, including the Auto GC station. The device monitors the air quality 24 hours a day and provides results online. The town also plans to hire a second full-time gas inspector.
“We’ve increased the frequency of the testing in 2011 from quarterly to monthly in order to provide a more consistent timeline for thorough data analysis,” Ryan said.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
They may have an occasional leakage, but that short of an exposure is no problem. Even if the thing explodes, it probably won't damage anyone's property except the well owners'. "