Environmental Monitoring

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TX

Environmental Monitoring for sustainability and resilience

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) leads one of the most extensive air monitoring programs in the United States. Since 2019, the state agency has procured 12 Magellan MX500 Vehicle-Mount weather stations for their Mobile Command Posts, which are deployed for emergencies as well as routine data gathering.

CBS Austin's Chief Meteorologist Chikage Windler states in a 2023 article: “In addition to analyzing air pollution on samples in the lab, the TCEQ can also monitor air quality on the go with its Mobile Monitoring Vans.

"Each is equipped with spectrometers to measure air quality plus an onboard weather station. That allows air quality and weather data to be used together to help track pollution levels and where higher concentrations may spread downwind from a natural disaster site or hazmat situation.”

TCEQ is headquartered in Austin but tracks environmental data all across the state with the help of their mobile command posts, testing for over 80 different harmful pollutants and chemicals.

Ground-level ozone is another area of concern. Low air quality and specific summer weather conditions can lead to smog, according to Ryan Vise, Director of External Relations for TCEQ. They issue Ozone Action Days when conditions are favorable for ozone to form. “Hot summer days, when there's no or little wind, when it cannot be dispersed as easily in the air,” explains Vise.

Disclaimer: The content, findings, opinions, and conclusions are the work of the author and do not necessarily represent findings, opinions, or conclusions of the TCEQ.

“Each (van) is equipped with spectrometers to measure air quality plus an onboard weather station. That allows air quality and weather data to be used together to help track pollution levels and where higher concentrations may spread downwind from a natural disaster site or hazmat situation.”

Links for additional information:

Magellan MX™ Weather Stations

TCEQ Website