In 2016 new information about heavy metal air pollution in Portland sparked region-wide interest and conversations about exposure and regulation. PSU, the City of Portland and Multnomah County responded with a joint investment in research to gather more data about the pollution levels. A project was developed between The Northwest Environmental Defense Center, Neighbors for Clean Air, The Institute for Sustainable Solutions, and PSU professors Dr. Vivek Shandas and Dr. Linda George that would later be called BREATHE Oregon. The project brought together air quality researchers, law experts, and community advocates to advance ideas for how to address the air quality issues facing our region.
The project was funded by the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation and Meyer Memorial Trust and led to research on the extent of the air quality impacts in the region, research and proposals on air quality regulatory approaches, and community outreach and engagement to better understand perspectives and challenges related to air quality in the region.
Components of this work continue through the partner organizations.
Contact isspsu@pdx.edu for information on BREATHE Oregon.
Resources on BREATHE Oregon: