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Air study results show no elevated levels
By Chris Roark, croark@acnpapers.com
The results of the latest ambient air quality test in Flower Mound show little change from previous tests.
The third quarter test, which took place Aug. 25, shows that a number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are at concentrations above sample detection limits but below applicable regulatory comparison values. Further, it reveals that none of the VOCs noted exceed the Air Monitoring Comparison Values (AMCVs) or the short-term Effects Screening Level (ESLs).
AMCV is a standard developed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that refers to all odor-, vegetative- and health-based values used in reviewing air monitoring data.
“In general, the observed concentrations appear to be consistent with published background ambient air concentrations observed in similar urban environments and consistent with the earlier sampling in Flower Mound and collected by others in similar environments,” stated the report from the test conducted by Dr. Kenneth Tramm and Paul Hamilton of Kleinfelder Central Inc., an independent environmental testing agency.
The report also stated that the current ambient air observations appear to be consistent with urban ambient air and not indicative of significant releases or fugitive emissions from the nearby natural gas activities in or near Flower Mound. However, it recommended periodic evaluation in light of the changing nature of gas drilling.
Among the compounds examined were benzene and carbon disulfide. Benzene’s comparison value in this study was up to 0.46 parts per billion (ppb), well below TCEQ’s short-term ESL value of 180 ppb. Carbon disulfide’s value was up to 2.1 ppb, below TCEQ’s short-term ESL value of 10 ppb.
This was the third ambient air quality test conducted by Kleinfelder in Flower Mound this year.
This test took place at the same eight locations as the first quarter test in February: the Armstrong-Huggins gas well pad site, the intersection of High Road and Sunnyview, Scenic Road at the Wilson pad entrance, a Liberty Elementary School near Quail Run Road, Gerault Park, Furst Ranch, the Morriss Road park site and Fire Station No. 2.
The May test included four additional sites and used Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methods to increase the amount of detectable compounds and to provide better detection for previously-identified Tentatively Identified Compounds (TICs). That test revealed a limited number of VOCs above detection levels but below AMCV levels. Acetone was detected above AMCV levels, but the report attributed it to laboratory interference.
In September, the town council voted to amend the fee schedule, which includes raising the gas inspection fee from $500 per year to $4,250 per year. The increase is expected to generate $280,500 per year, but that money will go toward an additional fulltime employee for the environmental services department with a vehicle, more frequent gas well inspections, monthly ambient air quality tests and the purchase of a toxic vapor analyzer and a photo ionization detector.
“At the first of the year, we’re going to begin monthly samplings,” said Matt Woods, director of environmental services. “And we might have more. So our air monitoring will be increased to get more data.”
In addition, the town has received an autoGC air quality monitor from TCEQ to provide 24-hour air quality monitoring online. Woods said it is being built right now and could be up and running in November.
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