Action Alert: Help Oregon's Kids Breathe Easier!

Asthma and other respiratory illnesses can be triggered by air pollutants, such as diesel exhaust and formaldehyde, which are also known or suspected carcinogens. Air quality and computer modeling indicates that at least 26 hazardous air pollutants like these are present in every Oregon county, at levels that are at least 10 times higher than federal health benchmarks.

Since these hazardous air pollutants are not regulated by the Clean Air Act in the same way that smog and ozone are, Oregon took a bold step forward in 2003 when it adopted the nation's most far-reaching program to curb "air toxics."

As a first step in implementing that program, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is now proposing to adopt ambient benchmarks for 49 air toxics. Unfortunately, even though DEQ's own rules require that the benchmarks be reasonably protective of human health, in some cases, they are proposing levels that are less protective.

Please take a few minutes before the comment deadline of April 4 to join Oregon Environmental Council in urging DEQ to revisit their proposed benchmarks for a handful of chemicals (including formaldehyde and diesel particulate matter) and adopt benchmarks that represent a more protective standard. It is a matter of erring on the side of public health and safety, and following the intent of the law.

You can comment by email (send to hope.bruce at deq.state.or.us), via FAX (503-229-5675) or regular mail (Bruce Hope, Oregon DEQ, Air Quality Division, 811 SW Sixth Ave., Portland, OR 97204).