Exposure Testing Resources
If you are concerned that you, your neighbors or your children may be being exposed to excessive levels of pollutants--from whatever source, the following agencies will investigate your complaints and remedy them if possible.
City of Houston Rat-on-a-Rat Hotline
To report illegal dumping, water pollution, air pollution, or hazardous waste, junk cars, suspicious lots, serious trash violations within the city limits, call
713-525-2728. You will reach an operator between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm; an answering machine will record
after hours complaints.
City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services: Bureau of Air Quality Control
If you live within the City of Houston, call 713-640-4200 to report outdoor air pollution, chemical or gas odors in Houston between the hours of 8 am and 10 pm. After hours and on weekends, call the Harris County Division of Pollution Control at
713-920-2831.
City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services: Bureau of Occupational Health and Radiation Control
Responds for citizen complaints and performs site inspections involving indoor air pollution and surface contamination with hazardous materials, health and safety hazards in business, medical waste, lead and radiation. It also enforces No-Smoking and other related city ordinances and state regulations. Contact
713-640-4359.
City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services: Bureau of Water Quality
If you live within the City of Houston, call 713-640-4399 for water pollution complaints.
City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services: Childhood Lead
Poisoning Prevention Program
The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
Program provides blood lead testing for children from age six months to six
years of age. Community outreach and education, environmental investigation and
case management are provided. Call 713-794-9349.
City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services: Laboratory
Services and Well-Water Testing
Testing costs $8.00 per bottle of collected sample, which can be dropped off Monday–Friday, 8 am through 4 pm at either the Texas Medical Center or George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The sample must be obtained on the same day it is delivered for testing.
City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services: Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program
Free to qualifying families: low income and at least one child less than 72 months old with lead levels greater than or equal to 6 micrograms/deciliter. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call
713-794-9217.
Harris County
Pollution Control Hotline
To report pollution incidents in Harris County 24 hours a day, call 713-920-2831.
Harris County Department of Health, Pollution Control Division
HCDPC has the capabilities for soil testing, and can test for arsenic, lead, and petroleum hydrocarbons. They also perform FREE one-day collection events for hazardous waste. They have a 24-hour complaint line for the unincorporated areas of Harris County, and for inside the city limits of Harris County cities other than Houston,
713-920-2831. If you live outside Harris County, call the TNRCC at 713-767-3500.
Harris County Department of Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (follow “HCPHES” link)
Provides case management for children who have elevated blood lead levels; maintains a local database so that children with elevated lead levels can be more accurately tracked, evaluated, and monitored; provides education to physicians, families of children with elevated blood lead levels and others regarding the need for screening/re-screening, and how to identify and reduce sources of lead exposure; and conducts targeted screening for high-risk groups or in areas of high risk. Contact
713-439-6369.
Pollution Response System
Call 1-800-368-7229 to report pollution in Galveston Bay and in Brazoria, Chambers, Harris, Galveston, and Liberty Counties.
Clean Texas Program
This site has an extensive list of specific items for proper disposal or
recycling in your community. It also contains information on composting. You can
also call toll free 1-800-cleanup (253-2687). Texas Smoking Vehicle Program Hotline
Report
polluting vehicles online by license number, or call 1-800-453-7664.
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