Town of Flower Mound Releases Independent Ambient Air Sampling Report

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Town of Flower Mound Releases Independent Ambient Air Sampling Report

Based upon direction provided by the Town Council, the Town of Flower Mound contracted with an independent environmental testing agency (Kleinfelder Central, Inc.) in January to conduct ambient air sampling at several locations within the Town. Samples were collected at eight locations throughout Flower Mound. The agency released a comprehensive air study report and final data table on March 11, 2010, that outlined test results for 57 chemicals/compounds, 40 Volatile Organic and 17 Tentatively Identified, including benzene and carbon disulfide.

According to the report, benzene levels at all eight testing locations were either not detectable or registered well-below the applicable Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) standards. Only carbon disulfide was noted above the TCEQ short-term effects screening level (ESL). The study indicated that carbon disulfide levels at five of the eight locations were either not detectable or registered below the applicable TCEQ standard. Three samples indicated the presence of carbon disulfide at levels marginally exceeding the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's short-term ESL of 10 parts per billion (ppb) for carbon disulfide. Samples taken at the Furst Ranch site were 18.5 ppb, the Morriss Road park site were 11.2 ppb, and the Fire Station #2 site were 69 ppb. In considering the working conditions of the Town's firefighters at Fire Station #2, it is important to recognize the 69 ppb readings taken at that location are well below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible workplace exposure limit. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established 2,240 ppb as a health-protective screening level.

When comparing readings released in the independent report to TCEQ standards for long-term and short-term carbon disulfide exposure, it is significant to note that the TCEQ standards are currently under review by the agency and have been questioned, internally and externally, as being unrealistically low. An internal TCEQ memo, dated February 8, 2010, characterized the levels as "very conservative," and noted that they were more than 200 times lower than the values utilized by the Environmental Protection agency and 32-300 times lower than those used by other known environmentally-conservative agencies including the California Environmental Protection Agency. The document also stated that "recent significant health concerns expressed outside of the agency regarding these reported carbon disulfide levels appear unwarranted." The complete memo can be viewed at www.flower-mound.com.

The complete Ambient Air Evaluation Report, a map of the testing locations, and a exposure level comparison chart are available at www.flower-mound.com. The Town of Flower Mound will commission an additional level of sampling to provide a more in-depth analysis of the study results. In addition, the Town is currently exploring several air quality monitoring options including regular odor checks, the purchase of a toxic vapor analyzer, the purchase of an infrared gas-imaging camera, the installation of a permanent air monitoring station, and the reporting of any irregularities to TCEQ and the appropriate gas drilling company.

Posted 03/11/2010.