EPA Research in Texas

Explore EPA's research across the United States.

EPA researchers are working hard to protect communities across the nation. Learn about some of the work EPA researchers are doing in Texas.

For more EPA work, see EPA in Texas.

Corpus Christie Water Contamination

EPA researchers in the Office of Research and Development responded to a request for assistance from Region 6 in Texas after an asphalt emulsifying agent, Indulin AA-86, contaminated Corpus Christie’s water supply.  Together with Texas state agencies, EPA researchers established a health-based action level for the contaminant and supported an immediate need by the region, the state, and the city to protect public health. 

Ebola Decontamination

EPA researchers in the Office of Research and Development supported states, including Texas, in responding to the 2014 outbreak of Ebola in the United States. EPA researchers provided technical support related to decontamination products and best ways to use them, and they recommended the best decontamination methods for Person Protective Equipment, which was important to health care workers and others who came into contact with Ebola patients.  EPA also provided instruction on how waste contaminated with the Ebola virus should be managed and the fate of the virus in wastewater.

Village Green Installed in Houston Museum District

Houston, Texas, is world famous for contributions to the fields of science and space--and is now home to a solar-powered, EPA-designed Village Green air monitoring station. The installation features air sensors and meteorological instruments embedded into a park bench structure that continuously measure two common air pollutants (ozone and fine particulate matter, as well as wind speed and direction, temperature, and humidity. Learn more about Houston's Village Green. 

Tracking Emissions with Fenceline Monitoring Technology

EPA researchers are working with industry, states, and communities to develop low-cost and portable technologies that can be deployed next to an industrial complex for emissions testing. Read Tracking Emissions Using New Fenceline Monitoring Technology.

Mapping Moving Mangroves

Mangrove forests provide a number of ecosystem benefits such as preventing coastal erosion, reducing storm surges, and supporting habitats for endangered species such as manatees. EPA researcher Dr. Chandra Giri has dedicated years to studying the changes affecting mangrove ecosystems. Read Mapping Moving Mangroves.

EPA and Brownsville Team Up to Combat Zika Risk

EPA researchers are partnering with the city’s Department of Public Health and local universities to identify hotspots and the factors that lead to the mosquito’s spread. This way, steps can be taken to address underlying conditions that allow the mosquitoes to breed, rather than relying solely on pesticide spraying. Read about how EPA is working with Brownsville and EPA to address zika risk. 

EPA Mobile Labs Help Restore Drinking Water Systems

EPA’s network of regional laboratories assisted Texas in the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri, dispatching three mobile drinking water labs into areas in San Antonio, Fort Worth, and Houston to provide bacteriological analysis of drinking water samples. EPA also ensured Superfund sites were secure following the storm, assisted public drinking water systems with rapid assessments and analyses, and helped coordinate emergency response activities with Texas, and other federal agencies. Read EPA Deploys Mobile Labs to Work with Texas to Restore Drinking Water Systems.

Making Progress on Lead Research Goal

EPA researchers have been working on various aspects of lead research to support the Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts. As part of this work, researchers are using a range of scientific data and tools to better understand the key drivers of blood lead levels and reduce childhood lead exposures. Read A Year in Review: Progress on the Research Goal of the Federal Lead Action Plan. 

DIY: Build Your Own Village Green Air Monitoring Station 

If you live in a city with a Village Green station, monitoring air quality can be as easy as a walk in the park. EPA’s Village Green stations are park benches with innovative air quality measurement systems built right into them. Anyone interested in establishing their own Village Green-like station can learn how by viewing the new instructional manual and video. Read A DIY Dream: Build Your Own Village Green Air Monitoring Station.

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Last updated on April 15, 2025