Toxic Air in Southeast Portland, OR

[Juan Reyes Jr]

Hello Everyone,

There have been news reports that the air in SE Portland is toxic.

How long and how bad do you all think this will effect the properties values in SE Portland? Here's a link to the news article and a quote from it.

"The state Department of Environmental Quality and the Oregon Health Authority plan to announce that DEQ data indicate a monthly average of 49 times the state air-safety benchmark level for the neurotoxin and carcinogen cadmium, and 159 times DEQ's air-safety goal for the carcinogen arsenic."

http://www.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archive...

[Tara Ballenger]

Your hyperlink didn't work for me. It was a 404. 

I think it may depend on mitigation and how long it will take DEQ to rein things in, and also how fast the news spreads. This also isn't the first news of toxic air in Portland that I remember here. I did a quick google search and found this: http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/0...

Portland has heavy industry and an active port, along with the environmental quality issues that come with that. It's possible to argue that people who buy in big cities are inherently more tolerant of environmental risks, just as they are for crime risks (all to a point). 

Tangentially, I'm actually kind of surprised that the scientific consensus that magnitude 8 or 9 earthquake is definitely coming for Portland and Seattle in the next 50 years hasn't slowed down development sales, even though many of the beautiful old houses in Portland aren't even eligible for earthquake insurance. And even though NW pdx and the Pearl will be the most devastated when this happens, it remains the highest priced real estate in town. People want what they want and disregard the rest, perhaps? Would love others' take on these two issues. 

[Brian Knier]

@Juan Reyes Jr I think the report you're talking about is the findings of high arsenic and cadmium in SE Powell area. The source of this is apparently a specialty glass maker in the area. According to news today, the company has suspended the use of these chemicals.

http://www.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archive...

As far as affecting home values, I think it's probably good news that chemicals are from an active point source (which can cease polluting) rather than arsenic or cadmium leftover from industry or natural to the area. That said, if you're investing (or living) in that part of town, you may want to stay informed as to whether Bullseye stops using the chemicals permanently or just until the news cycle moves on.