Eugene Railyard Action

The newest round of testing by Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) was completed in August.  According to the consultants hired by UPRR, results show that 7 homes have possible indoor air impacts from solvents in the contaminated groundwater.  You can view a map of the indoor air impacts by clicking here (warning, the file is large, 658 KB). The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and UPRR are currently installing vapor barier systems in some of those homes.

Testing also shows the "background levels" of Trichloroethene (TCE) and Tetrachloroethene (PCE) in the Trainsong Neighborhood's ambient air exceeds DEQ health standards (see Table 1 below).  In other words, the amount of known contaminants and suspected carcinogen s in the outside air for the entire Trainsong neighborhood exceeds the DEQ's cancer risk standards. What does the DEQ intend to do about these high levels? They say they will not address them because they feel urban levels are expected to be high. OTA does not agree with this "do nothing" attitude. We believe exposure to toxic contamination is not acceptable.

Oregon Toxics Alliance is concerned that testing accepted by the DEQ proves Trainsong residents are at cancer risks exceeding the DEQ's own standards. OTA is advocating for air quality monitoring in West Eugene. We believe that the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA) should place an air toxics monitor in West Eugene so that we truly know what is in the air the residents breathe.

If this concerns you, please contact Greg Aitken at the DEQ and Merlyn Hough at LRAPA and urge them to do whatever is necessary to install a permanent air toxics monitor in West Eugene.  Also, contact Oregon Toxics Alliance and find out how to get involved.