Environmental Health Advocate Wins Grant Award to Improve Air Quality

MEDIA RELEASE

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

DATE: 9/14/2007

New opportunities presented in time for Governor’s Proclamation of Pollution Prevention Week, September 17-23

Oregon Toxics Alliance, a statewide non-profit working on environmental health issues, has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Spirit Mountain Community Fund to help local governments, businesses and residents to adopt simple strategies to improve health and air quality in our community.

The grant comes just as Gov. Ted Kulongoski proclaimed the week of Sept. 17-23 “Pollution Prevention Week” in Oregon, stating that preventing pollution “can improve environmental conditions, protect the health and safety of workers, strengthen our community, and provide an assurance for our future.”

“Oregon Toxics Alliance is working on programs that fit perfectly with the Governor’s emphasis on a legacy of environmental health,” said Lisa Arkin, Executive Director. “The grant specifically helps our work to eliminate the presence of harmful toxics such as benzene in our local air. Breathing or absorbing benzene increases a person’s risk of leukemia and contributes to the gases that cause climate change.”

The grant from Spirit Mountain Community Fund will help with the project to educate governments, businesses and residents about taking simple actions to reduce exposures to benzene fumes. The Fund is the philanthropic arm of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. The Fund was established to make meaningful contributions in to Oregon citizens to support self-sufficiency and be a part of the solution for local communities who are facing challenges in environment, health and community services.

“Oregonians are struggling to meet a variety of needs within our communities. We have families that are hungry, children without medical care. We would all like to take clean air for granted in Oregon. We can’t; it’s not a reality anymore. Spirit Mountain Community Fund is proud to support this project that works to build bridges to groups and agencies that will address our air pollution problems. Our hope is that this project will be a catalyst to future efforts to ensure our environmental health and stability,” said Director Shelley Hanson.

With encouragement from the Alliance, Lane County government and 4-J school district are poised to adopt recommendations to reduce emissions of benzene, a known carcinogen. The environmental health advocacy group is also bringing the problem to the attention of staff and elected officials in the cities of Corvallis, Ashland and Eugene. The Board of Commissioners in Multnomah County already adopted the recommended benzene reduction policy in July.

A fact sheet published by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality states that Oregon has some of the highest reported levels of benzene in the United States and gasoline is the major source of the problem. People are exposed to benzene emissions from breathing automobile exhaust and the fumes from the transfer of gasoline at gas stations.

The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency has reported that benzene vapors in the Eugene-Springfield area presents a cancer risk at levels 10 times higher than the safety standard set by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

Oregon Toxics Alliance is advocating two actions that can cut down on the amount of benzene inadvertently release into the air. The first action, “Turn Your Key – Be Idle Free” reminds car owners to turn off the motor after 20 seconds of idling. Not topping off the gas tank at gas stations is another way to eliminate benzene emissions.

The County resolutions would limit unnecessary idling of county vehicles; promote the creation of voluntary “no idle” zones around parks, schools, and public places; discourage “topping off” of county vehicles when refueling; and encourage citizens to do the same. The 4-J proposal asks parents and student drivers to be conscious about reducing idling near schools.

Due to fuel injection and other computerized advances in engine technology, cars no longer need to be “warmed up” to get started on a cold day. Also, according to the Ford Motor Company and the American Automobile Association, frequently restarting the engine does not cause wear and tear on the starter and ignition.

Topping off the gas tank can harm the valve inside the gas tank and allow gas to leak out as the vehicle drives away. This leaves a trail of benzene fumes in the car’s wake.

We recommended these simple actions to the Board of Commissioners to highlight the problem and have a positive effect on public health,” said Jim Goes, chair of the Lane County Health Advisory Committee. “I’m pleased that they are considering enacting policies and raising awareness that lead towards healthier air.”

The topic of adopting no idling and no topping off recommendations is slated for the September 19 Board of Commissioners meeting.

The Grand Ronde Tribe dedicates 6% of the profits from Spirit Mountain Casino to the Spirit Mountain Community Fund. The money is then gifted to non-profit organizations in an 11-county area of Western Oregon. Since the fund was established in 1997 the Fund has targeted special needs in public safety, health, education, culture, environment, problem gaming and historic preservation and has made investments in excess of $40 million. For more information about Spirit Mountain Community Fund, visit their website at www.thecommunityfund.com.