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A colorless, odorless gas, carbon monoxide results from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels,
most often in motor vehicles and power plants. Carbon monoxide can interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen to the heart, brain, and other tissues. People with heart disease and
unborn or newborn children are especially susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.* Carbon monoxide has also been identified as a possible precursor to the formation of ozone.* High ambient levels of carbon monoxide are most common in colder months.
Sources of carbon monoxide vary by location, although in all cases, emissions from mobile sources far outstrip
industrial or small business sources. In Texas, only El Paso has consistently exceeded the 8-hour ambient air quality standard for carbon monoxide, although levels measured in recent years
are lower than those measured ten years ago. For example, in 2000, El Paso only exceeded the 8-hour standard on two occassions, while in 2001, it only exceeded the standard once*. El Paso is a special case because of its mountanous terrain which traps air in colder, winter months, and because it shares a common airshed with Ciudad Juárez and is affected by that city's air pollution. In addition, Dallas exceeded standards twice in 1985, while Houston exceeded standards nine times between 1974 and 1986.
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1995 CARBON MONOXIDE EMISSIONS BY MAJOR SOURCE CATEGORY IN MAJOR TEXAS CITIES
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METROPOLITAN AREA
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TOTAL
(TONS PER DAY)
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SOURCES BY PERCENT
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MAJOR
INDUSTRIAL
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MINOR
INDUSTRIAL
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MOBILE
ON-ROAD
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MOBILE
OFF-ROAD
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Houston / Galveston / Brazoria
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4045
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8%
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1%
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59%
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32%
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Dallas / Ft. Worth
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3973
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0.5%
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0.5%
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71%
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28%
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Beaumont / Port Arthur
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579
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20%
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3%
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49%
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28%
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El Paso
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449
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2%
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1%
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72%
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25%
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Source: Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission,
Revisions to the State Implementation Plan for Carbon Monoxide (CO) (September 1995)
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Note: El Paso totals do not include emissions from Ciudad Juarez, across the border in Mexico.
Stationary/Area Sources:
Major industrial sources (petroleum storage and petrochemical facilities, major manufacturing plants, gasoline pipelines, power plants) and area minor industrial sources (gasoline stations, dry cleaners, oil and gas production, small coating and painting operations, small print shops, landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, consumer commercial solvent use).
Mobile Sources:
Off-road (recreational boats, agricultural, construction, industrial equipment, lawn and garden equipment, airplanes) and on-road (highway vehicles, both gasoline and diesel).
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