"Texas' Lax Stance on Industrial Air Pollution Risks Sparks Concern among Public Health Officials"

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has proposed maintaining a target cancer-risk level for air pollution permits that public health officials consider inadequate to protect communities exposed to multiple sources of industrial emissions. The TCEQ's existing target cancer risk level of 1 in 100,000, in use since 2006, is seen as under-representing the actual risks faced by communities near industrial complexes. Scientists and public health officials are calling for a lower target risk level of one in 1 million to account for cumulative impacts of pollution. The TCEQ received over 200 comments requesting a lower target risk level, while the Texas Chemical Council supported the proposed level. Critics argue that the TCEQ's proposal lacks transparency and public input, and that tighter standards are needed to protect public health.