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Cumulative Health Risk Pilot

As a person goes through the day, there are many sources of air pollutants that can affect their health, including where they live and work, the amount of traffic on the roads, and how they get from place to place. A person's health is affected by all local sources of pollution all at once. Sensitive populations, and those disproportionately exposed to pollution (such as communities of color) are particularly impacted. The Cleaner Air Oregon: Community Health Risk Pilot project is an opportunity to work with a community and learn how air pollution from many facilities, all together, may affect their health. 

DEQ is in the first phase of this project. Due to resource limitations, the pilot is on hold. Please contact JR Giska, for more information.

Community feedback

Community members are key sources of information for this pilot project. DEQ hosted listening sessions over Zoom in December 2023 to receive feedback about additional considerations when choosing a pilot area beyond the requirements.

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This project is a new way to approach the effects of air pollution on a community's health. This pilot is focused on risk from specific sources of air pollution; but also looks to see how other sources may be harmful. At the end of this pilot, DEQ hopes to have new ways to evaluate the cumulative impacts of air pollution in an area.  CHRP also aims to create a plan with the community to provide the next steps for improving air quality.   

While this pilot is small in area, it will provide an opportunity to develop a model to support more air toxics efforts throughout Oregon. ​

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Health is affected by all sources of pollution all at once, this is particularly true for the health of sensitive and overburdened people. In a day we do not get to exposed to one pollutant at a time, but rather many at one time. This is referred to as cumulative or additive pollution exposure.  

Where you live, work or spend time changes the type and level of pollution you are exposed to in a day and over a lifetime. Areas that have higher exposure are usually near industrial activities, highways, ports, and train tracks.  

Some populations may also be at higher risk from air toxics, including environmental justice communities. Health conditions such as asthma and heart disease change how your body reacts to pollution. 

The level and source of pollution in an area changes the possibility of someone getting cancer or other diseases. We call this risk.​

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A pilot is a small-scale test. It is helpful when evaluating new data or ways of using data to inform action. Pilots are designed to inform larger, future studies and actions.  ​

The legislature directed DEQ to conduct this work in a limited area. DEQ will use this pilot to create methods that can be used for future work. ​​

DEQ expects the pilot project to result in recommendations for reducing risk from air toxics in the pilot area, and to provide a framework for evaluating the cumulative risk from air pollution in other communities and parts of the state.​​


Contact

Morgan Schafer
Air Toxics Coordinator