Town of Flower Mound Receives First Report from Monthly Air Quality Monitoring Program

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Town of Flower Mound Receives First Report from Monthly Air Quality Monitoring Program

In order to strengthen its air quality monitoring program, the Town of Flower Mound began increasing ambient air testing frequency from quarterly to monthly evaluations in January. The monthly analyses test for more than 60 Volatile Organic Compounds and Tentatively Identified Compounds, including benzene. The Town also expanded the scope of the tests for the January evaluation to include reduced sulfur compounds and carbonyls, which includes formaldehyde.

The January sampling results for VOCs did not exceed the TCEQ Air Monitoring Comparison Values (AMCV), which were established as health-based values for reviewing air monitoring data. While there are not established AMCVs for the reduced sulfur compounds, the TCEQ Short-term Effects Screening Levels (ESLST) were exceeded for three compounds; carbonyl sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and carbon disulfide.

The evaluation report indicates the levels of the reduced sulfur compounds are not considered a health concern based upon multiple considerations outlined within the report. The report notes that, in general, the observed concentrations appear to be consistent with background ambient air concentrations observed in similar urban environments, and with earlier sampling conducted in Flower Mound and other comparable communities. The document also states that the January ambient air observations are not indicative of significant releases or fugitive emissions from the nearby natural gas activities in and/or surrounding Flower Mound. A memorandum from the TCEQ in 2010 noted the difference in EPA and California EPA standards relative to current TCEQ carbon disulfide ESLST of 10 parts per billion (ppb). According to the TCEQ, the comparable EPA sample screening levels for a school monitoring initiative and the California EPA reference exposure levels are 2,240 ppb and 2,000 ppb, respectively.

In addition to the monthly tests, supplemental testing for sulfides and carbonyls in future months will be conducted as needed. Supplemental testing is currently scheduled for March. All testing will be conducted by Kleinfelder, an independent authority in the field that also completed quarterly ambient air sampling in 2010. Flower Mound’s air quality is also continually evaluated by a new Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Auto GC monitoring station, and Flower Mound is in the process of hiring a full-time oil and gas inspector. This significant service level increase is being paid for by gas well operators via an approved increased permit fee. The January report is available for review at http://www.flower-mound.com/env_resources/pix/pdf/DFW11R030-January2011-1.pdf.

Posted 03/02/2011.