The criteria pollutants of most concern in Portland are ozone and fine particulate matter. In recent years air toxics have taken center stage as pollutants of concern throughout the Portland region. Air toxics are generally defined as air pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health problems.
What is Oregon’s air quality index?
AQ Permits and Technical Assistance The Air Quality Index is a daily index of air quality that reports how clean the air is and provides information on potential health risks. Oregon’s index is based on three pollutants regulated by the federal Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, particle pollution and nitrogen dioxide.
How did Oregon meet national standards for air pollution?
In 1980, only 30% of Oregonians lived in clean air areas that met national health standards for air pollution. Today, all areas in Oregon meet these standards. This success is the result of clean air strategies developed by DEQ with the participation of affected communities, businesses and citizens.
How bad is air pollution in the US?
Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
What does a high level of air pollution mean?
The higher the value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. For example, a value of 50 or below represents good air quality with little potential to affect even those with respiratory conditions, while a value over 300 represents hazardous air quality and is likely to affect even healthy individuals
Why is air quality poor in Portland OR?
Air pollution in Portland comes from a range of sources, including a combination of mobile sources (motor vehicles), stationary sources (smoke stacks from power plants and factories), and area sources (agricultural areas and wood burning fireplaces).
Does Oregon have air pollution?
In 1980, only 30% of Oregonians lived in clean air areas that met national health standards for air pollution. Today, all areas in Oregon meet these standards.
What state has the most toxic air?
The Top Seven U.S. States with the Worst Air Quality#1: California. California consistently ranks as the most polluted state in the country. ... #2: Pennsylvania. ... #3: Texas. ... #4: Washington. ... #5: Oregon. ... #6: Alaska. ... #7: Utah.
Where is the most toxic air?
Top 10 Countries with the Worst Air Pollution - PM2.5 exposure (µg/m³) - State of Global Air 2020 (2019 data)Niger - 80.1.Qatar - 76.Nigeria - 70.4.Egypt - 67.9.Mauritania - 66.8.Cameroon - 64.5.Bangladesh - 63.4.Pakistan - 62.6.More items...
What city in Oregon has the cleanest air?
ClatsopReal-time Oregon Cleanest city ranking#cityUS AQI1Clatsop02Depoe Bay03Warrenton04Gearhart46 more rows•Aug 31, 2022
What is the biggest environmental issue in Oregon?
The air pollutants of greatest concern in Oregon are fine particulate matter, air toxics, and ground level ozone (smog). * Fine particulate matter (PM2. 5)† consists of airborne particles such as dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and droplets.
What U.S. state has the cleanest air?
HawaiiHawaii has, on average, the cleanest air in the USA overall. It has an AQI value of 21.2, which is in the healthy range set by the EPA. The American Lung Association ranks two cities in Hawaii in the top 25 cleanest US cities for year-round particle pollution.
What is the dirtiest city in America?
Newark, New JerseyThe Newark, New Jersey, skyline is seen from across the Passaic River.
What is the most toxic city in America?
Kotzebue, AK Iñupiat Eskimos make up 70% of the population. According to 2016 research data, the town is the most toxic place in America. Kotzebue produced at least 756 million pounds of toxic chemicals.
What is dirtiest city in the world?
If we choose, instead, to evaluate “dirtiness” by the sheer volume of solid waste a city produces, then New York City is the dirtiest city in the world and it's not even remotely close. Annually, the New York City Metropolitan area produces some 33.2 million metric tons of waste.
What is the most polluted city in the world 2022?
World's Most Polluted Cities 2022: New Delhi tops global list, know other Indian cities in top spots.
Which city has worst air pollution?
World air quality reportRankCity20201Bhiwadi, India95.52Ghaziabad, India106.63Hotan, China110.24Delhi, India84.120 more rows
Is there a lot of pollution in Oregon?
Four Oregon metro areas are among the 50 worst nationwide for air pollution spikes, a new report from American Lung Association finds. Eugene ranks 24th for short-term particle pollution — spikes lasting hours to days that increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular disease.
Is Oregon a clean state?
Oregon's air quality index is 36.1. Currently, all Oregon residents live in areas that meet federal air quality standards. Two ballot measures are being pushed in Oregon for 2020: 100% Clean Economy and 100% Clean Electricity.
What is the air quality on the Oregon coast?
What is the current air quality in Cannon Beach?Air pollution levelAir quality indexMain pollutantGood43 US AQIPM2.5
What is air quality in Eugene Oregon?
What is the current air quality in Eugene?Air pollution levelAir quality indexMain pollutantGood44 US AQIPM2.5Aug 31, 2022
What is the Oregon air quality index?
The Air Quality Index is a daily index of air quality that reports how clean the air is and provides information on potential health risks. Oregon’s index is based on three pollutants regulated by the federal Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, particle pollution and nitrogen dioxide. The highest of the AQI values for the individual pollutants ...
What does the air quality index tell you?
The index tells you how clean the air you breathe is and what health effects one may experience when air quality is at given levels. Air pollution can be a particular concern to the elderly, children and those with respiratory conditions, but high levels of pollution can affect everyone. The higher the value, the greater the level ...
Is DEQ a serious concern?
At the same time, DEQ is addressing another group of pollutants, air toxics, that has emerged as a serious concern. Many areas of the state have air toxics that are above EPA health-based benchmarks.
How is Oregon air quality?
Oregon’s air quality is generally considered safe to breathe. In 2019, Oregon cities averaged an annual air quality index (AQI) level of 38, passing the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard of less than 50. This was an improvement from the previous two years, 2017 and 2018, which both averaged an AQI of 43. Currently, nearly all Oregonians live in areas that meet US EPA air quality standards. Aloha, Oregon was the only exception in 2019.
Where is pollution in Oregon the worst?
According to the 2020 “State of the Air” report published by the American Lung Association (ALA), which compares regional air quality across the US on the basis of short-term ozone, short-term PM2.5, and annual PM2.5, Oregon cities ranked for: 1
Why is there so much smoke in Oregon today?
Regional wildfires have been the leading cause for “unhealthy” or worse air pollution in Oregon. While only serving as a temporary emission source, the impact of wildfires on daily and average PM2.5 measurements has been significant — and the problem appears to be getting worse.
How does Oregon's winter weather affect the environment?
Oregon’s winter weather can further trap pollution emissions in the valleys between mountains as a result of a phenomenon described as “cool air inversions.” Cool air inversions occur when freezing ground level air is unable to escape into the atmosphere, as a result of a denser, warmer air layer above that acts like a lid. Without air being able to disperse, emissions accumulate and measured pollution levels rise. In Oregon, inversions typically occur in the winter when the ground is snow-covered and sunlight is less intense. Inversions tend to persist until weather changes with the seasons or with strong gusts of wind .
How does ozone affect the lung?
As a highly reactive gas, breathing ozone attacks the lungs by reacting with the lung tissue. In the short term, ozone can cause breathing difficulty, coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath. In the long term, ozone pollution can contribute to sustained health complications, and even early death.
Why is PM2.5 rising in Portland?
More recently, several cities in Oregon, particularly Portland, have experienced rising PM2.5 and ozone levels that can be attributed to climate change and EPA regulatory rollbacks.
How does PM2.5 affect wildfires?
In addition to increased ozone, warming temperatures can also lead to increased PM2.5 levels by lengthening the wildfire season and making fires more frequent and severe. In Oregon, 2017 and 2018 were more polluted on average than 2019 as a result of wildfires. 2020 is expected to top previous years as a result of record Oregon wildfires, despite COVID-19 lockdown measures taken earlier in the year that reduced vehicular traffic emissions.
Is air quality good?
Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Is air quality data unvalidated?
Usage Notice: All the Air Quality data are unvalidated at the time of publication, and due to quality assurance these data may be amended, without notice, at any time. The World Air Quality Index project has exercised all reasonable skill and care in compiling the contents of this information and under no circumstances will the World Air Quality Index project team or its agents be liable in contract, tort or otherwise for any loss, injury or damage arising directly or indirectly from the supply of this data.
What are the high levels of PM2.5 in Oregon?
In Oregon, high levels of PM2.5 occur with wildfires and during the winter months when wood stove use and temperature inversions are more common. The Rogue and Willamette Valleys have geographic features and weather patterns that can trap air pollutants and produce higher PM2.5 levels.
How many ozone monitoring sites are there in Oregon?
Data may be available for a geographic area in one time period but not another. Oregon has 11 ozone monitoring sites. Two Portland area monitors collect data year-round and the remaining monitors are seasonal (summer). In most areas of Oregon, PM2.5 from monitors is sampled every third day.
What is air quality?
Air quality tells us how much pollution is in the air. The air we breathe contains airborne particles like dust, soot, smoke and droplets. An indicator of air quality is the amount of particulate matter or “PM” in the air. PM is a mixture of very small particles and liquid droplets. PM has many different components like acids, organic chemicals, metals, and dust. PM is measured in micrometers (microns, µm). PM2.5 is less than or equal to 2.5µm in diameter. Sources such as wood stoves, forest fires, motor vehicles, factories and construction sites produce particulate matter.
What are the six pollutants that are considered pollutant?
Under this law, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets limits on how much of a pollutant can be in the air for six pollutants: carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone and particulate matter (PM). These limits, called the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), help protect public health and the environment. Ozone and PM2.5 are reported in parts per billion (ppb).
How does the relationship between measured pollutant concentrations and personal exposure vary?
The relationship between measured pollutant concentrations and personal exposure varies depending on pollutant, individual activity patterns and local differences in pollution levels. If outdoor air quality data are to be used in health assessments, it is important to consider these factors as well as the contribution of other pollutants, especially those that occur when ozone and PM2.5 are present.
How does air pollution affect health?
They range from upper respiratory tract irritation, coughing and shortness of breath to aggravating conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis.
What is the measure of air quality?
The measures of annual percent of days and number of days indicate the frequency of unhealthy pollution levels. Data for these measures are summarized for geographic areas that have air monitors, reflecting urban air quality. Variation within geographic areas likely exists but is not captured. When two or more monitors are present, the highest reading on a given day is used to calculate the measure. The outdoor air quality measures are calculated from data collected by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. These data are supported by a comprehensive quality assurance program, ensuring accurate information.
What is the OSHA table for Oregon?
Oregon OSHA requires employers to set exposure limits for many air contaminants; you’ll find them in three “Z tables” in Oregon Rules for Air Contaminants (437-002-03 82). Table Z-1 includes all of the air contaminants that have Oregon OSHA exposure limits.
Why do you need to wear a respirator?
When you must wear a respirator to protect yourself against airborne contaminants in your workplace, it is very important to follow proper procedures for putting it on and taking it off.
