HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 9187 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 9187
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 2, 2010
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• SUBJECT: RESULTS OF RECENT AIR QUALITY SAMPLING CONDUCTED BY
THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
City staff attended a January 27, 2010, press conference wherein the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality(TCEQ) released the results of an air quality investigation performed in and around Dish and Fort
Worth during the weeks of August 24-28th, October 9-16`h, and December 14th. The purpose of this report
is to explain the purpose and results of this report as well as to clarify recent media reports on those air
quality tests.
As part of this study, the emissions from many sites were evaluated using FLIR Systems, Inc. camera
technology and a toxic vapor analyzer. As a result of this evaluation, only 94 sites were identified as
having suspected emissions at levels that supported further testing. The executive summary of this report
states that, of the 94 sites that were sampled, TCEQ only documented two sites with benzene levels present
that demanded immediate action. Both sites -- a compressor station and well site -- were located in Wise
County. The site operators were notified of the emissions issues and onsite repairs were made. Upon
retesting, both sites had levels that were consistent with background levels for this area.
TCEQ identified an additional 19 sites that showed the presence of benzene at levels that may require
action by facility operators. Levels at these sites were below the short-term level of 180 ppbv, but above
the long-term level of 1.4 ppbv. One site was located in far north Fort Worth on US 287, approximately
0.6 mile north of Willow Springs Road. Laboratory analysis indicates that benzene was detected at a level
of 3.2 ppbv. TCEQ stated that there was no need for alarm, based on these results. TCEQ reported that
benzene levels quickly dissipated to background levels as the samplers increased their distance from the
source. There are no reports of any detectible levels of benzene at any residences or other receptor sites.
Repairs are in progress at sites where elevated levels of benzene were detected. TCEQ also stated that they
are committed to continued monitoring and investigation in this area to ensure that emerging issues are
addressed and repairs are made as promptly as possible. They are planning another round of air quality
testing in a few months to rescreen the area for emissions followed by another round of canister and auto-
gas chromatography sampling. In the interim, TCEQ is installing permanent stationary monitors in Dish
and at the Eagle Mountain Lake monitoring site, continuing their 12-hour complaint response protocol, and
continuing routing reconnaissance and investigations of the area. TCEQ has undertaken a review of
permitting rules that apply to oil and gas drilling operations to ensure that authorizations and permits are
enforceable, that the regulations serve to protect public health, and that the agency properly regulate
operations located at oil and gas sites.
If you have any questions about this information, please contact Brian K. Boerner, CPM, CHMM,
Environmental Management D*rector at 817-392-8085.
Dale A. Fisse' a P.E.
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS