Press Release: Oregon’s Dirty Diesel Problem
Oregon’s Dirty Diesel Problem
New Report from Oregon Environmental Council Shows that Oregon Lags in Efforts to Address a Deadly Pollutant
Portland, OR – May 23, 2016: What’s sooty, smells and causes more premature deaths in Oregon every year than car crashes? Diesel exhaust.
According to Dirt on Diesel, a new report released today from the Oregon Environmental Council, Oregon has a diesel problem. Each year diesel exhaust in Oregon causes up to 460 premature deaths, causes up to $274 million in climate damage within the state, and costs Oregonians as much as $3.5 billion in health harm and lost productivity.
The report arrives on the same day that Oregon legislators gather in Salem for a hearing on toxic air pollution.
“Even the most informed Oregonians may not know that when you cough and choke on diesel pollution, it’s not just irritating—it also can harm your heart, lungs, and brain and raise the risk of cancer,” says Oregon Environmental Council’s Health Outreach Director Jen Coleman, primary author of the report. “OEC’s Dirt on Diesel Report shows that Oregon has a lot to lose—in lives and in health costs—unless legislators take action now. Upgraded diesel engines can deliver $17 in health savings for every dollar we invest.”
The report comes at a time when attention to air quality issues is rising, with communities across the state mobilizing around action on toxic air pollution. The Dirt on Diesel report points legislators towards solutions that can address one of our most potent pollutants. Diesel exhaust contains cadmium, arsenic, formaldehyde and up to 40 other toxic substances.
“The solutions for our diesel woes are available today,” says Oregon Environmental Council Director of Market Innovation Colin Price. “Emissions control technology on new engines, as well as upgrades to old engines, can cut emissions by as much as 9o%.”
Over the past decade, Oregon’s neighboring states have made significant investments in upgrading diesel engines. Emissions testing, anti-idling, and stronger emissions standards have also protected public health from deadly exposures. Meanwhile, Oregon has cut funding to diesel cleanup programs and failed to meet cleanup goals set by the legislature.
Oregon Environmental Council (known for its success in helping pass both new standards for hazardous chemicals in children’s toys and a bill that will move Oregon off coal-powered electricity) has put diesel exhaust control high on the organization’s agenda.
About Oregon Environmental Council
Oregon Environmental Council safeguards what Oregonians love about Oregon—clean air and water, an unpolluted landscape and healthy food produced by local farmers. For more than 45 years we’ve been a champion for solutions to protect the health of every Oregonian and the place we call home. Find out more at oeconline.org.
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Media Contact:
Jessica Moskovitz, Communication Director
Oregon Environmental Council
p: 503.222.1969 c: 503.929.6309
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Margie
May 24, 2016 (11:36 pm)
So, this makes me wonder about the VW diesel engines for which “we’ve” received no information about how they plan to fix the engines VW cheated with for years.
Jen Coleman
May 27, 2016 (2:45 pm)
Great point! Passenger diesel cars have strong emissions standards and also require emissions testing, unlike heavy duty diesel. VW was cheating the emissions test for NOx, a pollutant which can cause serious respiratory harm. There are continuing conversations about compensation/restitution, both for consumers and for the environment. Wouldn’t it be great if those restitution dollars went to replacing old dirty heavy duty diesel engines?