PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Multiple state agencies are investigating possible health risks related to high levels of cadmium and arsenic in the air in Southeast Portland.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Health Authority and Multnomah County Health Department are investigating the potentially dangerous effects of the metal pollutants.
Air quality data from SE 22nd Avenue and Powell Boulevard was collected “as part of an area wide effort to understand sources and distribution of arsenic and cadmium air pollution,” according to a state news release.
Health effects related to arsenic and cadmium exposure depend on “how much a person is exposed to and for how long,” the OHA reports. So far, officials say the metals are at levels above short and long-term health benchmarks.
According to the American Cancer Society, “exposure to high levels of arsenic has been linked to several types of cancer.” Short-term exposure to air with high levels of arsenic can reportedly cause a sore throat and irritated lungs.
Breathing air with very high levels of cadmium can severely damage the lungs, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. Long-term exposure to lower levels of cadmium can cause bones to become fragile and break easily.
KOIN 6 News will have more details as they become available.
Filed under: Environment, Health, Local News, Multnomah County, Oregon, Portland
