The N. Bradford Street cleanup project is addressing elevated levels of soil contamination in the area in and around the railroad adjacent to Cathedral Park (see image right). While they do not present a short-term threat to public health, more sampling is necessary to make sure there is no risk of long-term health effects for someone who is regularly exposed to the soil in this area.
NEWS UPDATE:
DEQ recently received soil sampling results along the railroad near Cathedral Park. DEQ and Oregon Health Authority have determined that there are no immediate health risks for short-term contact with soil. The highest concentrations of PCB’s remain along the railroad right of way in front of Peninsula Iron Works and DEQ continues recommending the public not walk along this area.
DEQ and OHA will review sample results at an upcoming community meeting.
Please join us:
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 7 p.m.
6520 N Salem Ave.
Portland, OR 97203
The contamination consists of a class of chemicals called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs were historically used as coolants and lubricants, but were banned in 1977 due to their toxic impacts on human health and persistence in the environment. DEQ is addressing this contamination through its cleanup process.
To minimize your exposure if you’re in this area, DEQ and Oregon Health Authority recommend:
- Stay on the paved path when crossing the railroad
- Do not walk along the railway
Cleanup Status
Updated: May 2023
In March 2023, DEQ received updated sampling results collected by Peninsula Iron Works and Union Pacific Railroad in this area. DEQ and OHA evaluated this data and concluded that it confirmed our understanding of where the higher soil concentrations are located. Here is what we know so far:
- DEQ and OHA have determined that there are no immediate health risks for short-term contact with soil.
- The highest concentrations remain along the railroad right of way in front of PIW. The soil concentrations exceed DEQ’s acceptable screening levels for long term, repeated contact for workers and park users. We continue recommending the public not walk along this area.
- In one part of the park, levels of PCBs are above DEQ’s screening level. The City of Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation has placed additional mulch in this area and OHA has recommended that they regularly inspect and maintain the grass and mulch in the area as an extra precaution.
DEQ and OHA are coordinating community meetings in May 2023 to share these results more broadly. See the updated fact sheet here [link] and FAQs below. Sampling plans and reports are available on the technical documents page.
Two diesel spills occurred along the railroad tracks during routine train travel, spilling onto asphalt and the gravel under the tracks. Read the full news release. DEQ held a meeting in February 2023 with the community to talk about how spill response works, and gave a presentation.
Earlier in 2022, DEQ obtained funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to do soil sampling in Cathedral Park near the railroad area where we knew there was some contamination. DEQ and OHA met with community members in July to talk about the results. Download the presentation.
This sampling told us some good news:
- PCBs are below DEQ’s long-term park user screening levels in 10 sampling areas, including the dog park area, which means the levels are too low to harm health.
- In one part of the park, levels of PCBs are above DEQ’s long-term park user screening level, but well below a level that would be of immediate concern. OHA determined these levels of PCBs are still too low to harm health because the soil is covered by grass and mulch and people do not spend all their time in one area.
- OHA has recommended the City of Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation regularly inspect and maintain the grass and mulch in the area as an extra precaution. Grass and mulch help prevent people from coming into contact with bare or loose soil. The City has been doing this.
- DEQ will continue requiring sampling through its cleanup process and to evaluate the best way to address contamination.
This process takes time, but DEQ is committed to moving the project along as quickly as possible and keeping the community informed along the way. You can stay up to date on this project by:
- Signing up for our email list.
- Checking this webpage for periodic updates
- Reaching out to Portland Harbor Community Coalition at contact@phccoalition.org who are coordinating community efforts around this work.
Earlier in 2022, DEQ obtained funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to do soil sampling in Cathedral Park near the railroad area where we knew there was some contamination. DEQ and OHA met with community members in July to talk about the results. Download the presentation.
See a map of the sampling areas and results and read the latest fact sheet.

Signs are currently posted along the railroad to advise park users to stay on the path when crossing the railroad.
DEQ has been meeting with community members since October 2021, and DEQ’s expedited work, the signs, and the opportunities for funding are a result of this collaboration.
Stay up to date on the latest by:
- Signing up for our email list
- Reaching out to Portland Harbor Community Coalition, who is coordinating community efforts around this work, at contact@phccoalition.org.
- Checking this webpage for periodic updates.
Other helpful documents:
- Fact sheet / Hoja informativa
- Technical documents
- Cathedral Park soil sampling plan presentation (April 26)
- Cathedral Park soil sampling results map
Learn more about the Portland Harbor Superfund Site work nearby
This work is separate from the Portland Harbor Superfund Site. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is doing work in parts of Cathedral Park for Portland Harbor. Read more about Portland Harbor on EPA’s storymap. You can get specific information about Cathedral Park on EPA’s project webpage and on Oregon Health Authority’s page for that project. Contact EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, Laura Knudsen, if you’d like to be involved in the superfund work at Cathedral Park. DEQ provides updates about the N. Bradford street project to EPA who shares it with community members involved in Cathedral Park work.
Project Contacts
Project Manager
Franziska Landes
503-229-5538
Community Contact
Lauren Wirtis
503-568-3295
Oregon Health Authority Todd Hudson
971-599-0372
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does this impact my health? Am I going to get sick from going to the park for a long time?
Based on what we currently know about the site, a person’s health will not be affected if they come into contact with soil along the railroad in the short-term. We need more sampling to evaluate how concentrations can affect long-term health. DEQ will be overseeing additional sampling so we have a better understanding of the levels of PCBs in the area and what that means for potential long-term health impacts.
For the low contamination in one area of the park, with the grass and mulch covering, Oregon Health Authority determined PCB levels are too low to harm health.
2. Why aren’t there signs about the contamination above DEQ screening levels in the park?
DEQ and OHA agreed with community members that signs were appropriate along the railroad, because of the level of contamination and the fact that the soil is bare and loose, making it easier to pick up. In the park, contamination levels are lower and it is covered by grass and mulch. OHA evaluated the contamination levels and the ways people use the park and determined current conditions will not harm health. The City of Portland Bureau of Parks and Recreation has agreed to maintain the grass and mulch to help further limit exposure, but park users do not need to change how they use the park.
3. Why does staying on the path keep me safe when crossing the railroad?
PCBs, the contamination, cling to dirt particles. When this dirt is tracked and kicked up in the air, we can accidentally swallow it or breathe it in. By staying on the paved pathway, you can reduce contact with the soil and avoid kicking up and tracking dirt along the railroad.
4. What should I do until DEQ gets more information and you know that it won’t affect our health?
If you walk on the paved pathway when crossing the railroad track area, you won’t come into direct contact with the soil in this area. Using the park as usual is still safe. Using parks like Cathedral Park for exercise and relaxation is good for our health.
5. How is this going to get fixed and how soon?
DEQ is working with Peninsula Iron Works to prevent contact with the highest soil contamination in the summer of 2023. This will include a temporary cover, such as a construction fabric material, and a work plan for a more robust, long-term solution which may include soil removal and replacement. Additional soil samples will also be collected in Cathedral Park down slope from the impacted area.
DEQ is addressing this site through our cleanup program and process. To address the surface soil contamination in a timely manner, DEQ is pursuing a removal action, which is a mechanism to remove and/or cover contaminated soil more quickly. A typical site at this stage would move to a thorough remedial investigation and evaluation of cleanup alternatives, which will occur after the removal action for this site.
This process takes time, but DEQ is committed to moving the project along as quickly as possible and keeping the community informed along the way. You can stay up to date on this project by:
- Signing up for our email list.
- Reaching out to Portland Harbor Community Coalition at contact@phccoalition.org who are coordinating community efforts around this work.
- Checking this webpage for periodic updates.
6. Are my pets safe?
Yes! Pets are generally less vulnerable to PCBs in soil than people. Long-term health risks are less for pets because their lives are naturally shorter than humans. Long-term health risks, like cancer, in humans from environmental exposure doesn’t typically develop until decades after the exposure, which is longer than the lifespan of pets like cats and dogs.
Additionally, soil testing in the dog park confirmed conditions are safe and not above DEQ screening levels.
If pets walk on or around the railroad tracks, brush off their feet so they don’t expose you by tracking soil into your car, home or living space.
7. How is this related to Portland Harbor Superfund Site work at Cathedral Park?
This area is outside of the Superfund Site boundary. For information about the Cathedral Park section of the Superfund Site, please visit EPA’s webpage for further information and updates.
8. Are PCBs the only contaminants present in this area?
PCBs are the only contaminant that has been detected above DEQ’s risk-based screening levels in this area. Other contaminants that were tested for include the metals chromium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc. More sampling is needed to understand current risks from PCBs.
9. How do PCBs impact human and ecological health in the long-term?
PCBs are called a “probable carcinogen,” meaning there is a strong possibility they cause cancer. Other serious health concerns include immune system disorders, low birth weight, learning disabilities and impaired growth and development in children. PCBs are also linked to skin, eye, liver and heart disorders.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has more in-depth health information about PCBs, available in multiple languages. Visit the ATSDR webpage on PCBs.
The primary concerns for animals exposed to PCBs are impaired reproduction and changes in the immune system. At high concentrations, animals can also experience liver, stomach and thyroid damage, anemia, skin conditions and alterations in behavior. An important consideration for animals is the exposure of PCBs through their diet, and the subsequent accumulation and consumption of those animals by predators.
10. How can the community get involved?
Stay informed and join DEQ’s public meetings! Any opportunities for community involvement will be announced on this webpage and through our email list. You can also reach out to Portland Harbor Community Coalition at contact@phccoalition.org who are coordinating community efforts around this work.