Frequently asked questions 

What are air toxics and are they a problem in Oregon?

Air toxics are generally defined as air pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health problems. Air toxics may also disrupt reproductive processes, cause birth defects and can cause serious environmental and ecological problems. (Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Pollutants) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) originally regulated 188 air toxics, also known as hazardous air pollutants, but there have been some changes since 1990. EPA studies indicate that Oregonians are being exposed to certain air toxics at potentially harmful levels.

According to EPA’s National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) using 1999 data to estimate concentrations of 178 air toxics in Oregon, there are 20 toxic air pollutants estimated to occur above levels of concern (levels below which no adverse health effects are expected). The twelve of most concern are: diesel particulate matter; polycyclic organic matter (POM); benzene; acrolein; chromium VI; acetaldehyde; naphthalene; 1,3 butadiene; 1,1,2,2, tetrachloroethane; arsenic compounds; tetrachloroethylene (perc); and formaldehyde. All of these except acrolein are known or suspected to cause cancer.

While the NATA provides only estimates, air monitoring in some parts of the country found some of the same pollutants at even higher concentrations than predicted by the study. Better information for Oregon is currently under development but it is clear that health concerns about air toxics support emission reduction efforts.

Are air toxics only a problem if you live close to an industrial plant?

In addition to considering the expected pollution from large manufacturing facilities, studies have looked at air toxics being released by a variety of small sources. Many of these studies show air toxics at levels of concern not only near large facilities, but also in areas where releases from many small sources all contribute to pollution in the air we breathe. These sources include cars and trucks (mobile sources), construction machinery, printers, auto repair and auto body shops and numerous other small businesses (area sources) that use paints or chemical cleaners.

Although each of these activities may only release a small amount of toxic air pollution, the combined effect can be significant. Many cities show air toxics levels of concern that come primarily from these kinds of activities. Even the use of household chemicals can play an important part in raising the concentrations of air toxics, both indoors and outdoors.

Are air toxics only a problem in big cities like Portland?

According to various studies, high concentrations of air toxics also appear in other areas of the state, including most counties outside the Portland metropolitan area. The highest concentrations of air toxics are in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties, where population and vehicle use are highest and where there is the most industrial and business activity. However, air toxics at levels of concern can be found anywhere in the state where there are motor vehicles, fuel burning, small businesses using chemicals and larger industrial activities.

What progress has been made to solve this problem?

Both federal and state officials are working to reduce air toxics releases. Since 1990, the EPA began a new, more effective approach to reducing toxic air pollutants. New regulations on large and small manufacturers resulted in considerable reductions of air toxics coming from many types of industrial processes. DEQ has adopted regulations that are identical to EPA’s and it inspects facilities to make sure that these regulations are followed. Additional regulations on cars, trucks, and other mobile air pollution sources will go into effect over the next few years.

In 2003, DEQ formed a state air toxics program that uses the best available science to identify and solve air toxics problems statewide. An Air Toxics Science Advisory Committee has helped DEQ develop its own health benchmarks. Now that these benchmarks are in place the Committee is helping DEQ draft guidance for using them to evaluate air toxic problems, design emission reduction efforts and measure progress towards protecting the health of Oregonians.

Though much more is needed to address air toxics, DEQ has several long-standing programs that have sought to reduce air pollution and have also contributed to reductions in toxic air pollutants. These include:

• Vehicle inspection programs in Portland-Metro and Medford areas
• Permitting of industrial sources
• Providing assistance to small businesses to adopt Best Management Practices (BMPs)
• Public outreach and education efforts
• Air Pollution Advisories

Can DEQ's air toxics program really improve air quality?

Yes, DEQ’s air toxics program will focus efforts on reducing the important sources of air toxics.

Oregonians need more information about air toxics and how air pollution may be affecting us. Until recently, the only available forum for Oregonians to voice concerns has been through DEQ’s industrial source permitting process. That process focuses attention on large industrial point sources but does not provide an opportunity for DEQ to discuss the effects of other significant pollution sources. A variety of studies show the importance of reducing non-industrial sources of air toxics to improving human health.

DEQ’s air toxics program will provide Oregonians with vital information about the air we breathe. More importantly, it will identify the factors that affect the quality of that air and our own individual roles in protecting it. Finally, this approach will give Oregonians the tools needed to decide how to protect our community's air, our health and the health of our families, friends and neighbors.

What can the public do to reduce air toxics?

• Because motor vehicles emit the most air toxics, we can all help by driving less (reducing trips, using public transportation, carpooling and telecommuting).
• As consumers, we can choose products that emit fewer volatile organic compounds, which are usually air toxics as well. Many paints and other products are now available in low toxicity formulations.
• Other ways of reducing air toxics include reducing woodstove use, tuning up vehicles, and using cleaner burning small engines.

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