As part of its commitment to the citizens of Greater San Antonio, CPS Energy sponsored a study by the University of Texas School of Public Health San Antonio and Houston.  The study was conducted to estimate the health impacts on those living in Bexar County as a result of modeled air pollution exposures from its current and planned operations. 

Exposures to pollutants emitted or affected by CPS Energy were estimated to be low, typically less than one-hundredth of EPA standards. On more than half the days of the modeled years, CPS Energy emissions of nitric oxide reduced Bexar County’s 8-hour average ozone levels.  The most important pollutant in terms of health effects is fine particulate matter, PM2.5.  The results of two nationwide studies of this pollutant were used to estimate that, of the roughly 9,000 non-accidental deaths in Bexar County, between 7.7% and 19.6% might be affected by exposure to PM2.5 from all emissions sources, including motor vehicles.  CPS Energy PM2.5 emissions may impact 0.09% to 0.23% of the 9,000 deaths. These numbers are best estimates and are subject to considerable error. 

Cardiovascular and respiratory-related causes of deaths are those most likely affected.  In 2002, there were 1,200 asthma-related hospital admissions. Of that total, CPS Energy may have been responsible for up to 0.06%, which is less than one hospital admission.  Mercury was considered as a special case due to its effects through diet. The mercury levels in Calaveras and Braunig lake fish were measured and calculated to be well within EPA and FDA dietary guidelines. CPS Energy is estimated to contribute less than 1/1000th of the mercury in these lakes.