DEQ Cleanup: N. Bradford Street Project

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.

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.

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.

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.

DEQ’s first step is to identify the parties potentially responsible for the contamination and have them enter into the Cleanup Program. As of March 2022, Peninsula Iron Works and Union Pacific Railroad have both agreed to enter coming into DEQ’s voluntary cleanup program.

Next, it will be the responsible party’s the job to collect additional soil samples in the area to figure out how far the contamination goes and exactly how high the levels are. Both parties have draft soil sampling work plans in to DEQ and DEQ will likely have results to share in fall 2022. How the contamination gets addressed will depend on the results of all of this sampling work.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.