Health Series Infographic: Asthma and Pollution

Diesel exhaust is costing Oregon billions of dollars each year in health care costs, lost lives and missed work and school. “In pediatrics, we want to prevent kids from getting sick. We are asking parents to take individual action. But there’s nothing we can do to get them to prevent exposing their kids to air pollution. It’s only good public policy that can help protect kids in that way.” — Dr. Paul Lewis, MD, MPH; Tri-County Health Officer Diesel exhau

Oregonians are being exposed to dozens of toxic substances in our air at levels that could harm hearts and lungs, interfere with children’s brain development, or raise the risk of cancer. We know that Oregonians are exposed to pollution from smokestacks, tailpipes and businesses large and small. What we don’t know, when we’re walking down the street, is what mix of pollutants we breathe and in what amount. Both national and state regulation of toxic air pollution from industry and

An air study in 2015 revealed a serious toxic air pollution problem in Southeast and North Portland near two manufacturing facilities. Though Oregon’s air may often look crisp and clean, these two neighborhoods aren’t the only ones where toxics pollute the air. While some of that toxic pollution comes from cars, trucks, trains, and wood stoves, it may also be businesses in your neighborhood polluting the air with toxics including hea

Nobody can say for certain why Parkinson‘s Disease developed in the 22,500 Oregonians currently living with the disease. But we do know that the chronic, progressive neurological disease takes an enormous toll on our state’s economy and well-being. 

“I’m sorry: you have breast cancer.” We can expect that 12% of girls born today will one day hear those devastating words. What if we could change that future? There’s hope. Only a small percentage of breast cancers are due to high-risk inherited genes. So if we can reduce other

In order to meaningfully address global warming, Oregon needs to join the global community in doing our fair share to transition climate pollution out of our everyday activities.

Registered nurse Helen Rodman and her team at the Multnomah County Healthy Homes Asthma Program work with low-income families to help them manage childhood asthma. They have a kit of practical tools to reduce asthma triggers in the home: mold and dust mites, pests and harsh cleaning chemicals. But when it comes to outdoor air pollution like diesel exhaust, they don’t have a tool to fix that problem. “I can tell you that the people I