Air Pollution in Houston, Texas

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the increased level of air pollution in Houston, Texas that has occurred in recent years. The paper attempts to identify the extent of the air pollution problem in Houston today and what factors contribute to its existing levels. A review of the peer-reviewed and scholarly literature, as well as governmental sources, to this end is followed by a summary of the research and salient findings in the conclusion.

Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In their recent essay, "Perceived Risk and Citizen Preferences," Gerber and Neeley (2005) report that, "Harris County is located in the eastern part of the state and includes the City of Houston, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States, with correspondingly high levels of crime and the dubious honor of surpassing Los Angeles several years ago as having the poorest air quality in the country." In reality, though, Houston faces many of the same problems as other large cities around the world, but in some cases, these problems are especially pronounced there. For example, weather conditions in Houston are extreme, and the vast majority of businesses and many homes are air-conditioned out of necessity. According to Cherni (2002), "High temperatures and unbearable humidity reign for more than six months of the year; average temperatures range between 56oF and 76oF, with a relative humidity of 76 percent. To facilitate life in this climate, most buildings are air-conditioned. Houston's population cocoons itself from the heat within artificially air-conditioned buildings; indeed air conditioning has played an important role in the city." In fact, the hot season in Houston generally lasts from May until October, and while other large metropolitan areas also experience higher summer mean temperatures, there are few suffer from the inordinately high humidity levels that characterize the Houston area. In this regard, Thomas and Murray (1991) report that although commercial air conditioning was first introduced into Houston in 1923, the majority of business locations were equipped with air-conditioning following the end of World War II. According to Cherni, "Central air conditioning was an essential factor in attracting business to Houston. Homes, cars and schools were air-conditioned in the 1950s and 1960s, followed by other specialized sites in the 1970s. By the mid-1970s, the middle and upper classes had almost completely insulated themselves from the four to five months of severe summer heat and humidity."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cherni, Judith A. Economic Growth versus the Environment: The Politics of Wealth, Health and Air Pollution. New York: Palgrave, 2002.
• Gerber, Brian J. and Grant W. Neeley. (2005). "Perceived Risk and Citizen Preferences for Governmental Management of Routine Hazards," Policy Studies Journal 33(3): 395.
• Sorelle, R. (1990, July 11). "US health care gets bottom summit ranking," Houston Chronicle, 21A82.
• Thomas, R.D. and Murray, R.W. Progrowth Politics. Change and Governance in Houston, Institute of Governmental Studies and University of California at Berkeley: IGS Press, 1991, 37 in Cherni at 82.

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