Brian Barton
Oregon, despite being known for its residents' passion for climate change and the environment, has been found to contain some of the most polluted air and waterways in the US. In 2018, four Oregon metro areas were among the 50 worst in the US for air pollution spikes, and in 2024, two Oregon cities were among the top 10 locations in the US with the worst air quality. The state also has the most miles of polluted or 'impaired' waterways nationwide, with over 120,000 miles of rivers and streams affected.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution ranking in the US | 4th (Eugene) and 8th (Medford) |
| Number of Oregon cities among the 50 worst in the US for air pollution | 4 |
| Oregon cities' average AQI in 2019 | 38 |
| Number of Oregon counties monitoring particle pollution | 9 out of 36 |
| Number of Oregon counties monitoring ozone | 8 |
| Oregon waterways ranked in terms of pollution | 1st |
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What You'll Learn
Oregon cities' air quality ranking
Oregon's air quality is generally considered safe to breathe. In 2019, Oregon cities averaged an annual air quality index (AQI) level of 38, passing the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard of less than 50. This was an improvement from 2017 and 2018, which averaged an AQI of 43.
However, Oregon is home to two of the ten most polluted cities in the US. Eugene was found to be in fourth place, and Medford came in eighth. These cities, along with Springfield, have high levels of pollution from car emissions, wood-burning stoves, and diesel engines. Regional wildfires have also been a leading cause of unhealthy air pollution in Oregon.
On a city-by-city level, Oregon's most polluted cities for PM2.5 pollution in 2019 were Aloha (13.9 μg/m3), Veneta (10.8 μg/m3), Canby (10.1 μg/m3), Cottage Grove (9.9 μg/m3), and Keizer (9.9 μg/m3). Each of these cities experienced heightened PM2.5 levels during the winter months due to wood burning and temperature inversions.
In contrast, Oregon's cleanest cities for PM2.5 pollution are Shady Cove (5.1 μg/m3), Birkenfeld (5.5 μg/m3), La Grande (5.6 μg/m3), Florence (5.6 μg/m3), and Sisters (5.7 μg/m3).
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Causes of air pollution in Oregon
Despite Oregon being known for its residents' passion for climate change and the environment, the state has been found to contain some of the most polluted air in the United States. In this regard, Eugene and Medford rank fourth and eighth, respectively, among the top 10 locations in the country with the worst air quality.
- Wildfires: Regional wildfires have been the leading cause of unhealthy or worse air quality in Oregon. The impact of wildfires on daily and average PM2.5 measurements has been significant, and the problem appears to be worsening. Oregon's smoky conditions have become more frequent due to rising dry conditions, hot temperatures, an accumulation of forest undergrowth, steep mountains, and strong winds.
- Climate Change: Climate change enhances the conditions for ozone pollution and makes it harder to clean up communities with high ozone levels. It also increases the risk of wildfires, whose smoke spreads dangerous particle pollution.
- Transportation Emissions: Eugene-Springfield, in particular, has been noted for high pollution levels from car emissions, wood-burning stoves, and diesel engines.
- Industrial Stormwater Runoff: Industrial stormwater runoff is another contributor to air pollution in Oregon.
- Winter Wood Burning: During winter, PM2.5 levels rise as households burn wood for domestic heating.
- Cool Air Inversions: Oregon's winter weather can trap pollution emissions in the valleys between mountains due to "cool air inversions." This phenomenon occurs when freezing ground-level air is trapped by a warmer air layer above, causing emissions to accumulate and measured pollution levels to rise.
- Nitrogen Oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds: As temperatures rise, Oregon's ozone levels increase. Ozone is formed in the atmosphere when nitrogen oxides (NO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react with heat and sunlight.
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Oregon's waterways pollution
Oregon is known for its residents' passion for climate change and the environment. However, a report by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) revealed that Oregon has over 120,000 miles of polluted rivers and streams, the highest in the nation. The EIP report also highlighted that 95% of Oregon's lakes are too polluted for drinking water, again ranking the state the worst in the country. The state's waterways are most polluted in the western half and the northeast corner.
The primary sources of Oregon's waterway pollution are not industrial waste but rather runoff from farms, streets, rooftops, and yards. Every time it rains, polluted runoff flows from storm drains directly into the state's waterways. This stormwater runoff contains harmful substances such as bacteria, toxins, pesticides, and chemicals from personal care products. These pollutants have severe ecological and health consequences. For instance, they can contaminate fish to the extent that they become unsafe for consumption, and they can also cause low oxygen levels in the water, hindering the migration of salmon.
Climate change has also played a significant role in the pollution of Oregon's waterways. Warmer waters have made rivers and streams uninhabitable for certain fish populations. However, reports by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicate that other human activities, such as logging and farming, are more significant factors in the warming of waters. Raw domestic sewage and wastes from pulp and paper mills, as well as other industrial sites, produce the highest volumes of pollutants.
The state of Oregon has taken steps to address these issues. The Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) works to prevent stormwater pollution by collaborating with developers and city planners to adopt low-impact development practices. Additionally, the OEC educates homeowners about reducing their contribution to urban runoff through initiatives like rain garden resources. Furthermore, the state has adopted a Climate Protection Plan, aiming to be one of the strongest climate action plans in the country.
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Oregon's air quality compared to other states
Oregon has a poor air quality ranking compared to other states. In 2024, two Oregon cities were ranked among the top 10 most polluted locations in the US: Eugene in fourth place and Medford in eighth. In 2018, four Oregon cities were among the 50 worst in the nation for air pollution spikes. Eugene, Bend/Redmond/Prineville, Portland/Vancouver/Salem, and Medford/Grants Pass were ranked 24th, 26th, 32nd, and 34th, respectively. Eugene-Springfield has been noted for its high levels of pollution from car emissions, wood-burning stoves, and diesel engines.
However, Oregon's air quality has shown improvement in recent years. In 2019, Oregon cities averaged an annual Air Quality Index (AQI) level of 38, passing the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard of 50. This was an improvement from 2017 and 2018, which averaged an AQI of 43. Nearly all Oregonians now live in areas that meet US EPA air quality standards.
While Oregon has made progress, it still faces challenges. Regional wildfires have been a leading cause of unhealthy air pollution in the state, and the problem appears to be worsening. The impact of wildfires on daily and average PM2.5 measurements has been significant. Fine particle pollution (PM2.5) is of primary concern in Oregon. PM2.5 includes dust, dirt, ash, soot, chemicals, metals, and vapors. These particles can enter the circulatory system and cause short- and long-term health effects.
In summary, while Oregon has made strides in improving its air quality, it continues to face challenges, particularly from wildfires and fine particle pollution. The state has implemented initiatives such as the clean fuels program and the Climate Protection Plan to reduce pollution and address climate change.
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Oregon's initiatives to reduce pollution
Despite Oregon's residents being known for their passion for climate change and the environment, the state has been found to contain some of the most polluted air in the US. Two Oregon cities, Eugene and Medford, are among the top 10 most polluted locations in the country. The state's cleanest cities for PM2.5 pollution are Shady Cove, Birkenfeld, La Grande, Florence, and Sisters.
Oregon has also been found to have the most miles of polluted or "impaired" waterways nationwide. The state has over 120,000 miles of polluted rivers and streams, with 80% of these waterways threatening aquatic life.
However, Oregon has implemented several initiatives to reduce pollution and address environmental concerns:
- In 2021, Oregon adopted a statewide Climate Protection Plan, which was promised to be one of the strongest climate action plans in the country.
- Oregon environmental regulators have discussed a push to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel companies.
- Senate Bill 526 aims to address the problem of microfiber pollution in wastewater by requiring new washing machines to be equipped with microfiber filters.
- House Bill 2960 seeks to restrict "chemical recycling" facilities in Oregon, which burn plastic waste instead of genuinely recycling it, thereby exacerbating climate change.
- House Bill 3018 aims to standardize food labelling practices and require large food waste generators to responsibly dispose of wasted food through methods like composting, reducing methane emissions from landfills.
- Environment Oregon, a policy and action group, has outlined priorities that include reducing plastic pollution, transitioning to clean and renewable energy, protecting wildlife and special places, and investing in climate solutions.
- Oregon passed the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act in 2021, which aims to modernize the state's recycling system, ensure responsible end markets for recyclables, and bring producers into cost-sharing for the system.
- Oregon supports policies that encourage a shift to zero-emission vehicles and make active transportation more accessible and enjoyable, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, the state's primary source of global warming pollution.
- The state also promotes the use of electric technologies, such as heat pumps and induction stoves, which can be powered by renewable energy sources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2019, Oregon cities averaged an annual air quality index (AQI) level of 38, passing the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard of less than 50. This was an improvement from 2017 and 2018, which averaged an AQI of 43. However, Oregon is home to two of the ten most polluted cities in the US, with Eugene and Medford ranking fourth and eighth, respectively. Four Oregon metro areas are among the 50 worst nationwide for air pollution spikes, according to a report by the American Lung Association.
The leading cause of unhealthy air pollution in Oregon has been regional wildfires, with other factors including an accumulation of forest undergrowth, steep mountains, and strong winds. Additionally, Oregon cities like Eugene-Springfield have high levels of pollution from car emissions, wood-burning stoves, and diesel engines.
Oregon has more than 120,000 miles of polluted or "impaired" rivers and streams, the most nationwide, according to a report by the Environmental Integrity Project. The report also stated that 80% of these waterways threaten aquatic life, making Oregon the worst in that category.
The high levels of air pollution in Oregon have been linked to various health issues. For example, the Medford-Grants Pass area had 4,277 pediatric and 28,473 adult asthma cases out of a population of 309,374. Fine particle pollution (PM2.5) can enter the circulatory system, causing a range of short- and long-term health effects, including an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular disease.
