Odors
Living in Seabrook, you may smell strange odors from time to time. Many of these odors are harmless according to Harris County Pollution Control; however, somethings a strange odor may mean something more.
Local Emergency Planning Committee
If you smell an odor in your area, please access EHCMA’s CAER Online mobile app first to see if any information is available. This app and the information posted to it is provided by the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), which comprises the cities of La Porte, Morgan's Point, and Shoreacres. Seabrook borders many of these communities, and while we do not have many chemical plants or refineries in our city, these communities do.
LEPC works with local governments to develop emergency plans and increase citizen awareness of the appropriate actions to take during a chemical emergency. The LEPC works closely with the cities, schools, and community to encourage emergency preparedness and provide shelter-in-place education to those who live and work in our area. As a part of this effort, the LEPC sponsors and participates in several community outreach events each year.
The emergency preparedness app launched by LEPC is available to anyone who would like more information on local hazards, notification sign-ups, alarm test schedules, damage report forms, evacuation maps, and much more!
Download the app today by searching "EHCMA CAER Online" at the Apple and Google Play stores. If no information is available about the odor on the CAER Online app, please report the odor to Harris County Pollution Control at 713-920-2831. You may also contact the Seabrook Office of Emergency Management at 281-291-5700 for questions or concerns.
Harris County Pollution Control
The mission of the Harris County Pollution Control Services Department is to protect the citizens of Harris County from environmental impacts through the firm, consistent enforcement of state and federal regulations. The ultimate goal of HCPCS is clean air, water, and proper management of waste. The activities of the Pollution Control Services Department are directed toward ensuring clean air and water for the citizens of Harris County consistent with the protection of public health, enjoyment of the property, and the protection of plant, animal, and marine life.
Activities include:
- Enforcing the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Air, Water, Solid Waste and Harris County Stormwater Rules and Regulations.
- Emergency response.
- Responding to citizen complaints regarding air, water, or solid waste problems.
- Monitoring, inspecting and investigating activities and facilities associated with air, water, stormwater, and solid and hazardous waste pollution.
- Laboratory analysis of water, soil, and solid waste samples to identify and quantify compounds that may be hazardous, a public nuisance, or detrimental to the environment.
- Reviewing and commenting on TCEQ permit renewals and amendments.
- Assessing and compiling reports and evidence relating to violations of environmental laws for civil or criminal litigation.
The Harris County Community Air Monitoring Program (CAMP) is designed to:
- Measure pollution levels that affect public and environmental health across Harris County.
- Identify emission sources that adversely impact local communities.
- Inform the public and elected officials on priorities related to clean air and environmental sustainability.
- Highlight patterns and trends that may support environmental regulatory activities.
Access The CAMP Dashboard
Access The Houston Regional Monitoring (HRM) Dashboard
Data courtesy of Houston Regional Monitoring
Access The CAMP and Houston Regional Monitoring (HRM) Locations
Plant Alarm Test Schedule for Port Road Facilities
Plant |
Area |
Day |
Time |
Frequency |
Sounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Acryl / Nippon Shokubai America Industries |
4631 Old Hwy 146 | Wed. | 12:30 p.m. for 15 minutes | Weekly | 6 Tones Emergency – Rapid Hi-Lo Evacuate – Slow Lo to Hi Security Alert – Siren Severe Weather – Wail General Information – Chimes All Clear – Steady |
| LBC Houston Terminals |
Port Rd / SH146 | Wed. | 9:00 a.m. | Weekly | 4 Tones Emergency – Rise & Continuous Tone Evacuate – Repetitive Whoops In-plant SIP – Hi-Lo Wail All Clear – Pulsing Air Horn |
INEOS STYROLUTION |
12222 Port Rd. | Wed. | 12:00 p.m. | Weekly | 1 Tone Evacuate – Long Blast, Long Pause Alert/Fire – Short Blast, Short Pause All Clear – Long Wail |
| Odfjell Terminals |
12111 Port Rd. | Wed. | 9:30 a.m. | Weekly | 3 Tones Emergency – Hi-Lo Evacuate – Rapid Intermittent All Clear – Flat |
| Bayport Terminal |
TBD | ||||
| Bayport Polymers BAYSTAR |
12212 Port Rd. | Wed. | 11:45 a.m. | Weekly | 3 Tones Fire – Short Blast, Short Pause Evacuation – Long Blast, Long Pause All Clear – Continuous |
General Information about Plant Alarms...
- Plant alarms are intended to notify plant employees about events inside their fence line.
- They consist of various sound patterns that communicate information to plant workers.
- Plant workers are trained to respond to in-plant alarms.
- In some cases, the nearby residents can hear in-plant alarms.
- Community alarms are intended to notify nearby residents of events that could be of concern to the public. They are installed by municipalities and cover several situations.
- The City of Seabrook does not have a community alarm.