Tests show Portland’s air pollution not affecting dirt

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Soil tests show Portland’s toxic air doesn’t seem to pose a long-term health risk. People who live right across the street from Bullseye Glass may find high levels of cadmium on their soil. But test results ordered by The Oregonian show the soil even a few blocks away doesn’t show high levels of arsenic or cadmium.

The newspaper’s results largely mirror those found in samples taken by the U.S. Forest Service and a day care center near Bullseye.

Oregon officials say the test results are not comprehensive and shouldn’t be read as an “all clear” sign. They say much more data is needed to understand risk levels in Portland’s air pollution hot spots and plan to release their own test results soon.

The tests do not consider the health impact of breathing pollutants in the air.