This post was updated on May 20, 2022, to correct the attribution of the agency that found the 12.8 million pounds of particle pollutants. Oregon DEQ had collected the raw data and had been stated as finding the 12.8 million figure. But, it was corrected to credit the Oregon Environmental Council, who completed additional analysis, to come to this figure.
Multnomah County will mark the 14th Air Quality Awareness Week May 2, 2022 to May 6, 2022 with a public education campaign and call for residents to help improve our community’s air quality. The campaign is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s celebration of our nation’s progress in improving air quality over the last 50 years. You can follow the campaign on the Health Department’s social media, on Instagram and Facebook, and also on our website at /air-quality-public-health-problem.
- Multnomah County residents breathe the dirtiest air in Oregon and face the highest risk of pollution-related cancer from air toxics.
- Multnomah County earns a “C” for 24-hour particle pollution and ozone.
- To raise awareness during Air Quality Awareness Week, the Multnomah County Health Department is conducting wood smoke demonstration and the “Shared air, Shared Action” education campaign.
What is happening with Air Quality
Rising ozone levels in Multnomah County have jeopardized the state’s compliance with the federal Clean Air Act. Diesel emissions continue unabated as old, dirty motors land in Oregon — driven here from neighboring states with tighter environmental regulations that don’t allow them. In fact, some residents breathe in up to 25 times more than the state’s benchmarks for already lenient limits of diesel, according to a 2019 study commissioned by local governments.
Wood smoke accounts for a significant part of fine particle pollution that is linked to seven of the 10 leading causes of death in Multnomah County.
The American Lung Association’s State of the Air report card uses the most recent three years of air pollution data compiled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In this year’s report, released this month, Multnomah County, included in the Vancouver-Portland-Salem metropolitan area, ranks 19th in the report’s top 25 polluted cities. The Oregon Environmental Council reports that 12.8 million pounds of particle pollution come from wood burning alone, which is comparable to the amount of pollution released from a wildfire.
A 2020 Portland State University report showed that air pollution was a top concern for people in Portland, but only 1 out of 3 people worry about the health effects. Among other health effects, air pollution shortens lives, increases premature births and causes or worsens lung and heart disease.
“Keeping our air clean is more than just protecting ourselves and our homes. When you’ve done all the things for yourself–buying air filters, fans, and plants– it begs the question: what about others?” said Jonathan Cruz, an air quality program specialist at Multnomah County Public Health. “The air you breathe isn’t clean unless it’s clean for everyone. You can protect yourself by learning more about the problem and how to support others. ”
‘Shared Air, Shared Action’ educates residents on the urgency of air pollution in our region, what people can do to protect themselves and how we can work towards collective change. There are several actions that people can take during this week.
What you can do at home:
- Keep a healthy home
- Indoor air pollution can be caused through everyday things such as burning wood, cooking, vacuuming, harmful chemicals, and even mopping. Avoid burning wood, unless it is your only source of heat. Recent studies have also shown that gas stoves in houses have been linked to increased illness and rates of respiratory disease.
- If you rent, ensure that you have good airflow on good air days by opening doors and windows.
- Electrify everything! Remove combustion sources to keep indoor and outdoor air clean. Exchange your gas powered appliances, such as cars and lawn equipment, for electric powered ones.
- If you own your home, consider exchanging gas stoves and wood burning devices for healthier options.
- Check your local Air Quality Index to know what the air quality is like.
- Upgrade your filters or use an air cleaner on poor air days if you can.
- Weatherize your home: Verde Builds has a new program that installs a very efficient heating/cooling pump for homes that have an electric furnace or electric wall heat. With about $4,000 in incentives. The program serves marginalized communities, seniors, low-income households and mobile homes. For more information, visit verdebuilds.org or call 503.290 8570.
- Multnomah County also provides weatherization services to low-income households who rent or own their home at no cost. This program saves people money and improves indoor air quality. For more information, visit /dchs/weatherization,
What you can do in the community:
- We can be all air quality experts by creating shared language about what’s in our air. Community air monitoring plays an important role in supporting effective action to reduce air pollution and toxic air. To learn more about community monitoring, contact Neighbors for Clean Air at neighborsforcleanair.org.
“We are constantly breathing in air and the quality of that breath affects life in a minute way that adds up over time,” Zubair Ahmed, a resident of Multnomah County. Zubair, who is featured in the campaign videos, lives with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, which causes him pain during days where the air quality is poor. In order to protect himself, he relies on air filters and his housemates to help protect the air indoors, which is costly and time consuming.
Frontline communities of people of color and low-income households, who are impacted the most from air pollution, are often also called on to organize collectively to respond to the crisis of air pollution. Among the organizations working to improve air quality and health outcomes are Verde, Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Neighbors for Clean Air. Through their direct service and place-based work, these organizations are working to educate the community and keep our climate healthy for all.
##
Media Contacts
Alicia Mendez, Multnomah County Communications: 971 400 9592; alicia.mendez@multco.us
Scott Moshier, Health Department Communications: 503.320.7587; scott.moshier@multco.us
