PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland State University, the city of Portland and Multnomah County are all pitching in money for more air and soil testing over the next 2 years.
In an announcement Wednesday, the school said it will spend $60,000 on the effort. In all, the 3 agencies will spend $125,000 towards the new research.
The testing will focus on 6 sites, says Robert Liberty with the PSU Institute for Sustainable Solutions.
“Part of what will come out of this is a heightened awareness of not just a particular set of metals, but a whole range of pollutants including things that may be more and less significant to our health,” Liberty told KOIN 6 News.
Clean air advocates welcome the news.
“It’s a great movement forward,” said Mary Peveto with Neighbors for Clean Air. “I think this is finally a real indication that health and risk based assessment is going to inform our decision making. It’s fantastic. It’s really great to be having this resource for the community.”
The toxic air issue began in February when high levels of cadmium and arsenic were found in the air in Southeast Portland, near Bullseye Glass. In North Portland, high levels of toxics were found near Uroboros Glass.
The DEQ and the Oregon Health Authority say that toxic air data continues to show that there are low health risks for Portland residents.
