Spring Branch/Memorial Chapter

Getting Organized

"People are drawn to environmental issues for many different reasons, but for me it was a simple matter of my family's health," explains Margaret McCoy. "The I-10 Freeway expansion will have a profound impact on our air quality, and I felt it was time to get involved." Although in its early stages, the group hopes to emphasize the need for a collective voice to bring awareness of the air quality issue, as well as create fun events for the whole family.

The start of this new organization on May 28, 2003 marks the formation of the fifth chapter of Mothers for Clean Air in the Houston area, joining in the larger organization's commitment to educate the public about Houston's air quality and its effects on health. The group is open to all community members.

Katy Freeway Air Pollution Study

Pollution Expands with Freeways

Ever wonder how much that black sooty exhaust from 18-wheelers and other diesel vehicles would increase if we expanded our freeways? So do members of the Spring Branch/Memorial Chapter of Mothers for Clean Air who live along the soon-to-be expanded Katy Freeway. When they found out that the environmental study that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) prepared for the expansion did not include this type of exhaust, they raised $5000 to hire Matt Fraser, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University. Dr. Fraser compared fine particulate levels from vehicle exhaust along six miles of the Katy Freeway, between IH-610 and Beltway 8, at the current use of 280,000 vehicles per day and the expected use of 397,600 vehicles per day. Dr. Fraser calculated that particulate pollution from the freeway would increase 42% when the construction project is complete. He found that particulate levels were higher 1500 – 2000 feet from the freeway along the entire six mile section, but highest near the intersection of the freeway and the 610 West Loop (Figure 1.).

This information is of interest because studies have shown that children and adults in schools, day care centers and retirement homes within 2000 feet of the freeway are most at risk from the health effects of increased air pollution. The Mothers for Clean Air Chapter is presenting the results of the study to elected officials, school board members, business associations, and the TxDOT to make these groups aware of the health impacts from expanding the Katy Freeway as well as from other highway expansion projects in the greater Houston area.