Toxic Substances

People come into contact with a range of chemicals in their daily lives

Substances can pose very different risks depending on how a person comes into contact with them, the amount that gets into their bodies, and for how long and how often this occurs.

Certain populations are more vulnerable than others to toxic substances in their environment, including:

Resources

• Mold in your home
• Environmental odors
• PBDE flame retardants
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
  
• Tear Gas

Toxic-Free Kids Act

The Toxic-Free Kids Act of 2015 requires manufacturers of children's products sold in Oregon to report products containing one or more high priority chemicals of concern for children's health if found at or above specific levels in those products. Ultimately, manufacturers are to remove these chemicals from certain products or seek a waiver.

Additional Resources

• Oregon Health Authority: Environmental Health Investigations and Data
• Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ): Projects Directory
• Oregon DEQ: Water Quality Standards for Toxic Pollutants
• Washington Department of Ecology: Toxics Monitoring
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: Promoting Environmental Health in Communities (PEHC) 
• Leadership in Sustainable Chemicals Policy: Opportunities for Oregon (pdf)
  This white paper was a collaborative effort between Portland State University, Oregon Environmental Council, Metro, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division.
• Buying Guide for Healthy Communities
  Oregon Clean and Safe website provides information about safe products for clean rivers and healthy families from the Oregon association of clean water agencies (ORACWA).