Oregon Air Toxics Program

Air toxics are air pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health problems. National and state studies indicate that Oregonians are exposed to a number of air toxics at potentially harmful levels.

DEQ reduces air toxics through regulations and by encouraging people and businesses to produce less pollution. The Oregon Air Toxics program works with communities and local governments to create and implement plans to further reduce air toxics.

Air toxics include diesel soot, benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (tar-like by-products from auto exhaust and other sources) metals including manganese, nickel and lead.

Air toxics come from a variety of sources including cars and trucks, all types of burning (including fireplaces and woodstoves), businesses industries consumer products.

DEQ activities to reduce air toxics

• Air Toxics Benchmarks
• Air Toxics Science Advisory Committee
• Portland Air Toxics Solutions project
• Vehicle Inspection Program
• Diesel, Biodiesel, Oregon Clean Diesel Initiative
• Monitoring for Toxics at Oregon Schools
• Asbestos Guidance and Resources

More Information and reports

• Frequently Asked Questions About Air Toxics in Oregon
• Portland Air Toxics Pollutant Summary PDF
• National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment

Air toxics program rules and guidance

• Air Toxics Program Rules including Ambient Benchmark Concentrations
• Technical Analysis Tools and Guidance for Implementation of the Air Toxics Program Internal Management Directive PDF
• Policy and Implementation Guidance for the Oregon Air Toxics Program Internal Management Directive PDF

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