When buying a home, Houstonians often consider the school district or the size of their backyard. But they might not think about the neighborhood’s environmental condition – a relevant issue in a city ranked as one of the 10 most polluted cities in the country.

A new Houston Landing investigation reveals how in one community, Greater Fifth Ward, people are moving into the area unaware that it is a designated cancer cluster, with higher than average occurrences of cancer.  

READ MORE: Houston’s Greater Fifth Ward is a cancer cluster. Why don’t all the new residents know?

Real estate agents and home sellers are only required to reveal what they already know about the property, and have no obligation to do further research to better inform potential residents. So how can a resident feel confident that their home is safe?

From checking an area’s air quality to understanding how the city operates its water system, here are things you may want to consider if you plan to purchase or rent a home in the city of Houston. 

Check the cancer cluster map

For Greater Fifth Ward’s cancer cluster, the city of Houston has an explainer detailing the history of the pollution. 

By looking at the map published by Houston’s Health Department, it’s possible also to identify whether a property is located in or near the cancer cluster.

Check the air quality 

Inyang Uwak, research and policy director for Air Alliance Houston – a nonprofit advocacy group, said her first step would be to go to www.airnow.gov and enter a ZIP code for the area you are interested in living in. The website shows the current air quality for the area, plus it can forecast up to four days of air quality. 

Air Alliance Houston also has interactive maps that can show what industries are in a certain area and what toxins are being released from those facilities. 

Houstonians should also consider other air quality factors, she said, such as a home’s proximity to freeways, concrete plants, trains or even barbecue restaurants, all of which can impact air quality.

The closer an individual is to a freeway, for example, the closer they are to traffic-related air pollutants, Uwak said. If an individual lives in an apartment near a freeway, they should try to find a unit more centrally located within the complex, rather than one facing the freeway. 

“If you have a child that has asthma, or you yourself have issues, you wouldn’t want to be very close to the freeway,” she said. 

Additionally, gas stations, dry cleaners and auto body shops can also release pollutants into the air, so she recommends living at least a block away from those spots if possible. 

Check the water quality

Individuals can call 311 or email waterquality@houstontx.gov if they are concerned about the taste, odor or color of their drinking water. 

Houston Public Works oversees drinking water quality, along with wastewater and sewage treatment operations. And as stated in the department’s 2022 water quality report, just because some contaminants are found in drinking water, doesn’t necessarily mean there’s an imminent health risk. For example, low levels of arsenic may be found in some of Houston’s drinking water, but according to the report, it is below state and federal action levels. 

Lead may also be found in drinking water due to copper pipes made or installed before 1986, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, the city cannot control in-home plumbing components, according to the 2022 report.

To lower the risk of lead exposure, people can flush their tap for “one or two minutes before using water for drinking or cooking,” according to the report.  Everyone has a different risk tolerance, and some people, such as those who are immunocompromised or elderly, could be more vulnerable to contaminants than others.

Individuals can call the national Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or learn about lead on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website.

Check the soil quality  

For over a century, Houston has been a hub for industry. Because of this, many properties in the city are brownfields, which is a piece of property that is or may be contaminated from previous industry, such as a gas station or old trash incinerator, said Danielle Getsinger, the CEO and cofounder of Community Lattice, an organization focused on land revitalization.

However, they are not all classified as such, because once a property is classified as one, it can drop in market value by up to 36 percent. 

If an individual is buying property, the best thing to do is to try to understand its history.

“If you’re looking at a property, I mean, frankly, just look around,” Getsinger said. “Is there a gas station nearby? Is there an industrial operation? Does it smell funny?” 

“Everything within the city has potential for environmental contamination, whether it’s in your house because of the lead-based paint, because of asbestos, or using pesticides in the backyard,” she said. 

Erin Jones, public relations officer at Houston Public Works, said the department does not routinely test soil for residents. A resident would have to get a contractor to test for them.

However, according to the city’s Brownfields Redevelopment Program, before taking ownership of a property with a “questionable past,” developers are highly advised to get a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment performed.

This assessment analyzes the property’s land without any actual sampling. A developer may gather historical information or any other documentation on the land’s conditions. Only after this due diligence, and if the developer finds it necessary, actual sampling could be conducted on soil, air and groundwater. 

Consider an environmental assessment

When purchasing a property, individuals can pay for an environmental assessment, which is conducted by an environmental specialist. The environmental assessment can cost around $2,000 or more. 

What the law says

For homebuyers, an individual will receive a seller’s disclosure notice agreement for the property they are interested in purchasing, and they must acknowledge any conditions listed from the seller. 

The agreement informs them of the home’s conditions, including basic things like appliances and smoke detectors. It also must ask if the seller is aware of any environmental conditions in the home, such as lead-based paint, asbestos components, or previous flooding.

However, renters and buyers  should do their own due diligence as well, since there is always the possibility that they are not getting the full story, such as whether the home is in a cancer cluster or on the same site as previous heavy industry. 

This could mean researching the neighborhood, talking to neighbors, or attending a community meeting. Potential buyers and renters can check with Houston Super Neighborhood presidents to get further information as well.  

For home renters, Texas Tenant Advisor recommends people tour their exact unit and request any repairs before signing a lease. Click here to check out the Landing’s guide to renter’s rights.

This story has been updated with information from the city’s Brownfields Redevelopment Program and the city’s role in soil testing

Hi! My name is Angelica Perez, and I am one of Houston Landing’s Civic Engagement reporters. I write explainers and guides on all types of things from how the city maintains roadway stripes to how to navigate the naturalization process. ¡También hablo español! ¿Qué notas te gustaría leer? What questions do you have about Houston? Email me your ideas at angelica@houstonlanding.org.

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