Oregon legislators ask CDC for help with Portland air

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Three Oregon legislators have appealed to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for help assessing the public threat from carcinogens found in Portland’s air.

The Oregonian reports that U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Portland, all Democrats, sent a letter Monday to the CDC asking the agency to help county and state officials investigate soil pollution, track residents exposed to risk and analyze health threats.

State officials found high levels of cadmium and arsenic near two glass manufacturers in the city. Both manufacturers have stopped using the heavy metals in their businesses.

State health officials will offer free testing to residents to see if the metals have affected them. Exposure to the metals can cause cancer and affect kidney function.