Photo: Portland Fire & Rescue

Preliminary ambient air quality testing conducted following Sunday's fire at the former Centennial Mills warehouse in Northwest Portland indicates a low risk to the general public from airborne contaminants associated with the fire debris. State and local agencies continue to monitor conditions and request that people avoid entering the fire scene while cleanup and investigation efforts continue.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Multnomah County Health Department, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R), Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM), Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D) and the City of Portland are coordinating safety, environmental monitoring and public health response following the Aug. 2 fire.

DEQ is providing technical assistance by coordinating with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its contractors to conduct community air monitoring and sampling of debris that blew off the building. Initial and ongoing air monitoring indicate that air contaminant levels measured outside the immediate fire area do not pose a significant health risk to the surrounding community.

Because the warehouse was constructed more than a century ago, building materials contained asbestos and likely contained other hazardous materials commonly used in older industrial buildings. Records show that extensive asbestos abatement was completed in previous years, but not all asbestos was removed from the structure before the fire. Asbestos-containing materials were burned during the fire, and debris samples have tested positive for asbestos. However, ongoing air monitoring suggests potential asbestos exposure from the air to nearby residents and the broader community remains low.

Officials emphasize that conditions within the fire perimeter remain hazardous because of unstable structures, fire debris and ongoing investigation activities.

"Protecting public health is our top priority," said Gabriela Goldfarb, environmental public health section manager for Oregon Health Authority's Public Health Division. "Inhaling large amounts of asbestos over many years can increase risk of lung cancer and cause a specific type of lung cancer, called mesothelioma. The amount of asbestos exposure to the community from this event is not enough to meaningfully affect health. "

Although current testing indicates low risk for the surrounding community, agencies recommend that people:

Stay out of the restricted fire area and obey all closures.
Avoid disturbing ash or fire debris near the site.
If ash or debris is present on private property, avoid sweeping it dry. Lightly mist debris with water before cleanup, place debris in a plastic bag and tie it tightly, then place in a second plastic bag, tie tightly, and dispose in the trash. Wear gloves and wash hands afterward.
Seek medical advice if you experience persistent coughing, difficulty breathing or eye irritation after exposure to smoke or debris. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions should continue monitoring local air quality and follow their health care provider's recommendations if smoke or dust is present.

Source: City of Portland

Tanner, Laura, & Casey

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