Health and Safety
Superfund Cleanup
Portland Harbor was designated a Superfund site in December 2000 due to decades of industrial harm to the Willamette River from hazardous substances.
PHCC insists on a comprehensive cleanup of all 29 toxic compounds including PCBs, DDT, PAHs, lead, arsenic, mercury, and other heavy metals posing risks to ecological and human health.
Community-led study with University of Iowa Superfund research center to quantify PCB air concentrations in and around the Willamette.
Community Health & Resilience
Based on longstanding community concerns about compounding exposures to toxins in and around the harbor, PHCC is stepping up to address these impacts and to support people to pursue tangible solutions through a community-driven cumulative health impacts and resilience plan.
Check out our two-pager on a cumulative health assessment !
Photo of “Contaminated Soil” sign located at Cathedral Park.
Community Impact & Mitigation Plan (CIMP)
PHCC supported the US EPA to secure the first ever community-driven community impact and mitigation plan for Portland Harbor superfund communities to set legally binding air quality performance measures, safety, and others to protect communities during the cleanup.
We also raise awareness of health risks from the consumption of resident and migratory fish and other dangers that will increase during the cleanup while fighting for policies that will lead to healthy fish, wildlife, and people.
The Lower Willamette River Fish Advisory is available from the Oregon Health Authority in these languages: