The Issues
AIR TOXICS
The Portland area was shocked when a 2016 study from Portland State University revealed that Portland's air contained dangerous levels of cadmium and arsenic, 49 and 159 times the state air-safety benchmark. This has led to the Portland Metro Area being listed as one of the worst cities for air quality in the nation.
This finding caused an uproar and brought into focus a long-dormant issue in the Metro area, and Portlanders agitated for change, especially as specific glass producing industries located in residential areas were found to be the culprits.
Read some more background and a timeline of events as this story unfolded HERE.
Read our board's letter to DEQ advocating for stronger rules to fight air pollution.
Air Pollution Fact Sheets, created in partnership with the Oregon Environmental Council. Read the Spanish Version here.
Air Toxic Reports HERE.
WATER POLLUTION: PORTLAND HARBOR SUPERFUND SITE
In 2000, Portland Harbor was named a Superfund site. Superfund sites are areas where toxic chemicals have been suspected of being released into the environment and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determines an investigation of the type and severity of such releases is needed. Over the past century, contaminants including arsenic, chromium and the pesticide DDT have been released into the water and onto the shoreline surrounding Portland Harbor and have been found in the resident fish populations.
The EPA has finally announced a plan to deal with this issue. Read more about it HERE.
Many groups are working on these issues and are always looking for volunteers:
Water
Government Resources