industries and their pollutants
(Rosemary Peters | THE BEACON)
By Rosemary Peters
Note: All measurements are in pounds. Information has been taken from the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory for 2010.
ARCLIN SURFACES: 26,997
-4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol: 79
-formaldehyde: 749
-formic acid: 80
-methanol: 25,108
-phenol: 587
-triethylamine: 394
ASH GROVE CEMENT: 1
-lead compounds: 1
BULK TRANSPORTATION PORTLAND TERMINAL: 68
-copper compounds: 68
CAMCO: 1,223
-methanol: 1,223
CASCADE GENERAL: 83,548
-copper: 1,654
-lead: 12
-n-butyl alcohol: 45,116
-xylene (mixed isomers): 35,671
-zinc compounds: 1,095
COLUMBIA STEEL: 112,611
-chromium compounds: 8,294
-manganese compounds: 103,317
-molybdenum trioxide: 767
-nickel compounds: 233
CROWN FOOD: 17,137
-certain glycol ethers: 7,261
-ethylbenzene: 1,500
-n-butyl alcohol: 1,999
-xylene (mixed isomers): 6,377
DAIMLER TRUCKS: 58,399
-ethylene glycol: 505
-n-butyl alcohol: 57,639
-sodium nitrite: 255
EVRAZ OREGON STEEL: 884
-chromium compounds: 98
-lead compounds: 64
-manganese compounds: 664
-nickel compounds: 58
JR SIMPLOT CO RIVERGATE TERMINAL: 858
-ammonia: 858
KANTO CORP: 30
-ammonia: 10
-hydrogen fluoride: 10
-nitric acid: 10
LACAMAS LABS: 13,260
-methanol: 9,700
-methyl tert-butyl ether: 200
-n,n-dimethylformamide: 85
-toluene: 3,275
NORTHWEST PIPE: 11
-manganese: 11
RODDA PAINT: 13,675
-certain glycol ethers: 859
-ethylbenzene: 947
-ethylene glycol: 1,751
-methanol: 344
-toluene: 5,548
-xylene (mixed isomers): 4,226
Health risks of Frequently released pollutants In North Portland
Note: All measurements are in pounds. Unless otherwise stated, information has been taken from the EPA's website and EPA's Toxics Release Inventory for 2010.
N-BUTYL ALCOHOL: 104,454
N-butyl alcohol is a colorless liquid with a strong, mildly alcoholic odor. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), it is an eye, nose, throat and skin irritant. Certain levels of exposure to n-butyl alcohol can cause death from respiratory failure and cardiac failure. Exposure can occur through inhalation, absorption through the skin, ingestion and contact with eyes or skin.
manganese: 103,963
Chronic (long-term) exposure to high levels of manganese by inhalation in humans may result in central nervous system (CNS) effects. Visual reaction time, hand steadiness and eye-hand coordination were affected in chronically-exposed workers. A syndrome named manganism may result from chronic exposure to higher levels. Manganism is characterized by feelings of weakness and lethargy, tremors, a mask-like face and psychological disturbances. Respiratory effects have also been noted in workers chronically exposed by inhalation. Impotence and loss of libido have been noted in male workers afflicted with manganism.
Methanol: 36,375
Exposure may occur from ambient air and during the use of solvents. Acute or chronic exposure to methanol by inhalation or ingestion may result in blurred vision, headache, dizziness and nausea. No information is available on the reproductive, developmental or carcinogenic effects of methanol. Birth defects have been observed in the offspring of rats and mice exposed to methanol by inhalation. The EPA hasn't classified methanol as a carcinogen.
xylene mixed isomers: 11,698
Acute inhalation of mixed xylenes irritates the eyes, nose and throat. There are gastrointestinal effects and neurological effects from exposure. Chronic inhalation of mixed xylenes results primarily in CNS effects such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, tremors and incoordination. Respiratory, cardiovascular and kidney effects have also been reported. The EPA hasn't classified xylene mixed isomers as carcinogens.
Toluene: 8,823
The CNS is the primary target of toluene toxicity for acute and chronic exposures. Symptoms include fatigue, sleepiness, headaches and nausea. CNS depression has been reported in chronic abusers exposed to high levels of toluene. Chronic inhalation of toluene also causes irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes, sore throat, dizziness and headache. Studies report developmental effects, such as CNS dysfunction, attention deficit and minor craniofacial and limb anomalies, in the children of pregnant women exposed to toluene or mixed solvents by inhalation. Reproductive effects have also been noted.
