A Mixed Picture of Portland’s Air Pollution

March 27 2015- Residents of Portland, Ore., recall how thick smog used to spoil the views of Mount Hood. But these days, it seems the mountain is visible whenever the sun shines.

Air quality monitoring stations have found that some pollutants, including carbon monoxide, ozone, particulate matter and other common pollutants, are far better controlled than in the past. But odors or visible haze don't always accompany toxic air, says Jessica Reichers of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

Air toxics, a broad category of 187 pollutants that cause health problems, are a growing concern. A 2012 modeling study found 14 of the Portland area's 19 most common air toxins surpass state benchmarks for clean air. Left unchecked, 15 are expected to exceed benchmarks by 2017. At the north Portland station, average benzene levels in 2013 exceeded the benchmark by more than five times. The same was true of arsenic.

The major causes are: vehicle exhaust, followed by smoke from outdated wood stoves, industrial activity and construction. Motorized lawn and garden care is a big contributor.

Oregon has taken some steps to address air toxics -- requiring outdated woodstoves to be removed from homes upon sale, for example -- but other states have done more. California is phasing out diesel trucks built before 2010. Portland residents say their state needs to do more.

Read the full oregonlive.com post here.

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