Oregon Air Toxics Benchmarks

Oregon's air toxics benchmarks help DEQ identify, evaluate and address air toxics problems. Oregon air toxics benchmarks are based on concentration levels that would result in a cancer risk of one-in-a-million additional cancers based on a lifetime of exposure. For non-carcinogens, the benchmarks are levels you could breathe for a lifetime without any non-cancer health effects.

The ambient benchmark concentrations for 52 air toxics of concern in Oregon are based on consensus recommendations from the Air Toxics Scientific Advisory Committee, a panel of experts that provides advice on the state air toxics program that is scientifically and technically sound, independent and balanced.

The benchmarks are based on concentration levels that protect the health of our most sensitive individuals. These benchmarks provide consistent health-based goals, as DEQ develops strategies to reduce air toxics.

• Air Toxics Benchmarks Rules

Investigating Potential Short-term Benchmarks for Air Toxics

In 2011, the DEQ and the Air Toxics Science Advisory Committee studied whether the creation of a benchmark for short-term exposures to air toxics provides a benefit to the air toxics program. DEQ's current benchmarks are based on health effects from long-term (lifetime) exposures. DEQ is currently working on a report summarizing its investigation of short-term benchmarks including committee input.

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