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The Columbia River is renowned for its salmon and steelhead runs. In a year of good returns, over 1 million Chinook, coho and sockeye salmon, and summer steelhead travel up the river to spawn in its tributaries. (Adobe Stock)

New Columbia River Protections Under EPA Permits

The Environmental Protection Agency has ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop oil and other toxic chemical discharges into the Columbia …

Before the EPA's ban, Oregon had planned to phase out the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos by 2023. (Dusan Kostic/Adobe Stock)

U.S. Pesticide Use Could Be on Docket in Trade Talks

As the United States enters into talks over a new trade framework with several nations, America's lax pesticide policy could be a sticking point for …

La presa de Bonneville en el r�o Columbia, est� situada cerca de la ciudad de Cascade Locks, en Oregon. (RG/Adobe Stock)

Tras inclusión en el Superfondo, comienza el duro trabajo de limpieza del río Columbia

Un lugar de pesca muy popular en el río Columbia para los miembros de la Nación Yakama ha sido incluido en la lista del Superfondo por el go…

Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River is located near the Oregon town of Cascade Locks. (RG/Adobe Stock)

After Superfund Listing, Hard Work of Columbia River Site Cleanup Starts

A popular fishing site on the Columbia River for members of the Yakama Nation has been listed as Superfund site by the federal government. Now comes …

If a homeowner selects to be excluded from chemical sprays, they must agree to maintain their yard to the HOA's common standard, according to nonprofit Beyond Toxics. (Adobe Stock)

More OR Outreach Needed For HOA Chemical Exemption

As the safety debate over pesticides and other chemicals often used for lawn and property maintenance continues, Oregon residents now have more …

A toxic class of chemicals is used in clothing to make it water and stain resistant. (Claudiu/Adobe Stock)

Grading Clothing Companies' Commitments to Eliminating 'Forever Chemicals'

A new report grades clothing companies based on their commitment to phasing out a toxic class of chemicals known as PFAS. Three of the companies …

Beginning in 2024, manufacturers must increase their zero-emission truck sales to between 30% and 50% by 2030. (Renew Oregon)

Front-Line Communities Applaud OR "Clean Truck" Rules

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Communities on the front lines of climate change are expected to benefit most from new rules in Oregon to move the state toward …

Studies have shown that pesticide exposure in childhood can affect neurological and behavioral development. (Adobe Stock)

Wrongful Pesticide Use on OR School Grounds Worries Public-Health Advocates

HILLSBORO, Ore. -- The Oregon Department of Agriculture recently completed an investigation into a suburban Portland school for the misuse of toxic …

Electricity use is the second-largest source of carbon emissions in Oregon. (Beyond Toxics)

Groups Push for Stronger Action in OR Climate-Protection Program

Corrected 9/28/21, 2 p.m. MDT, to clarify that the Climate Protection Program was not directly created by executive order; and that it is unclear how …

Carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct in the production of concrete. (Banana Republic/Adobe Stock)

OR Sequestration Week: Future of Carbon Capture, Storage

PORTLAND, Ore. -- This week, groups are holding virtual events in Oregon for "Sequestration Week," and the potential of carbon capture is among the …

A polar bear sculpture made of trash that's washed up on Oregon beaches is on display at the Oregon Zoo in Portland. (washedashore.org)

The Art of Trash: Ocean Plastics Animal Sculptures Dive Into Waste Issue

BANDON, Ore. -- Researchers estimate 19 billion pounds of plastic get into the ocean each year. What washes back to shore could be trash -- or art…

Parents should avoid buying toys with strong magnets. According to OSPIRG, in just over a month, Portland doctors recently removed 54 magnets that had been ingested by four children. (OHSU)

Report: Toys to Leave at Store This Holiday Season

PORTLAND, Ore. – Choking hazards, hidden toxins and privacy concerns are among the dangers toy buyers should watch out for as the holiday …

A new report says pesticide runoff is poisoning Chinook salmon, a main food source for the Northwest's orcas. (Oregon State University/Flickr)

Report: Pesticides Threatening Iconic OR Species

PORTLAND, Ore. – The wide use of pesticides is pushing some species in Oregon and across the country to the brink. A new report from the …

Un programa del Condado Clatsop que proporciona agujas limpias a los consumidores de drogas, ha dado 250 mil agujas desde que inici�, en 2017. (opiateaddictiontreatment/Flickr)

Crisis de opioides: “Oregon Syringe Exchanges”, una opción para ayudar

ASTORIA, Ore. – La organización “Syringe Exchanges” provee de agujas limpias a usuarios de drogas para evitar contagio de …

A group of Lincoln County residents wanted to ban aerial use of pesticides, because its research determined aerial spraying was the most harmful. (Rio Davidson/Lincoln County Community Rights)

Ore. County Pesticide Ban Model for Fight Against Farm Chemicals

NEWPORT, Ore. – A grassroots effort in a seaside Oregon county last year could serve as an example for how other communities can beat large …

The Siletz River Ecosystem in Lincoln County provides some of the drinking water for the county's residents. (osunikon/Flickr)

Does Nature Have the Right to Defend Itself in Court?

NEWPORT, Ore. – Can a river defend itself in court? On Monday, a judge in Newport will answer that question in the case of the Siletz River …

Pesticides are usually sprayed from aircraft in the clear-cutting of forests near the Siletz River. (Rio Davidson/Lincoln County Community Rights)

OR River Could Take Legal Action in Aerial Pesticide Ban Case

NEWPORT, Ore. – The Siletz River ecosystem could take some novel legal action in an Oregon case over a measure banning aerial pesticides…

Groups are calling on the Democratic Party to take stronger stances on environmental protection in the party's platform. (Sarah Mirk/flickr)

Groups Call for Clean Energy on Eve of DNC

PHILADELPHIA - Thousands will be marching in the streets of Philadelphia on the eve of the Democratic National Convention, calling for a Clean Energy …

An EPA investigation into the use of pesticides near a California high school took 12 years to resolve. (Mr_Write/morguefile)

EPA Criticized for Handling of Environmental Discrimination Cases

PORTLAND, Ore. - Despite more than 300 complaints that local environmental regulations have been discriminatory toward minority communities, the …

Nearly 700,000 U.S. troops were involved in the first Gulf War. (PHC D. W. Holmes/US Navy)

Gulf War Veterans and Illness, 25 Years Later

PORTLAND, Ore. - Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of the ceasefire that ended the first Gulf War. During the short conflict, nearly 700,000 U.S…

The U.S. House and Senate finally update the 40-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act to identify cancer-causing chemicals more quickly. (National Cancer Institute)

World Cancer Day: Congress Acts to Reduce Causes

PORTLAND, Ore. - Today is World Cancer Day, and if you look around your house, you might find water bottles, canned food, and an old mattress …

Full page newspaper ads and a social media blitz are reminding Oregon lawmakers of one priority they didn't advance in the 2015 Legislature. Courtesy: Sierra Club

Oregon Lawmakers Asked for More "Coal to Clean" Leadership

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Oregon Legislature doesn't start again for five months, but advocates for clean energy are already trying to get lawmakers' …

Almost everyone in a CDC report on contact-lens wearers admits to at least one habit that increases their risk of an eye infection. Credit: JDurham/morguefile.com

Warnings for Contact Lens Wearers from the CDC

PORTLAND, Ore. - It might not be the smoke from wildfires that's causing your eye irritation. It's "Contact Lens Health Week," and people who wear …

The EPA proposed rules to limit mercury and other dangerous pollutants from power plants that affect air and water quality, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday the agency must weigh the costs of compliance in its rule-making. Credit: Environmental Protection Agency.

Court Asks EPA to Rethink Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

PORTLAND, Ore. – The EPA was handed a setback by the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday. The justices voted five to four that before the agency put …

PHOTO: A giant inflatable coal plant is near the steps of the Capitol today for a rally in support of legislation that would require power companies to eliminate coal-generated electricity from the grid by 2025. Photo courtesy of the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign.

Tug-of-War Between Clean Energy, Coal on Capitol Steps

SALEM, Ore. - Renewable energy and coal are in a tug-of-war in Salem today. It's a literal demonstration in front of the Capitol steps to draw …

PHOTO: The liquid used to fill e-cigarettes contains much more nicotine than the amount in a single, traditional cigarette. That's why poison control centers say it's critical to keep liquid nicotine away from children. Photo credit: thecarlinco/FeaturePics.com.

Poison Centers Warn of E-Cigarette Risks for Kids

PORTLAND - The Oregon Poison Control Center has seen a big increase in the number of calls about children and electronic cigarettes and it's part of a…

GRAPHIC: The EPA's National Radon Action Month is an annual effort in January to get more people to test their homes for radon. It's odorless and invisible, so many folks assume it isn't a problem, but radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. Image courtesy U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Home Radon Test: Simple, Inexpensive and in Oregon, Often Overlooked

PORTLAND, Ore. - Testing their home for radon just drops off some people's to-do list - which is why January is Radon Action Month. Radon is a …

PHOTO: So many choices, so little time. Adults are the first line of defense when toy-shopping, to give every item a close look for choking hazards, unsafe coatings and other potential problems. Photo credit: XLH/FeaturePics.com

Attorney on Toy Safety: "My Goal is to Not Be Necessary"

PORTLAND, Ore. – Before wrapping toys purchased as gifts this holiday season, it may be time to take a closer look at them. A rubber duck…

PHOTO: Leaky fuel hoses and fuel trucks in need of maintenance are some of the concerns cited by behind-the-scenes workers for airline subcontractors at Portland International Airport. Photo credit: starush/FeaturePics.com

PDX Not Exactly "Holly Jolly" Behind the Scenes

PORTLAND, Ore. - This week kicks off the busy holiday travel season, and at Portland International Airport (PDX), hundreds of behind-the-scenes …

PHOTO: In Vermont, legislation to label foods made with genetically modified ingredients is set to go into effect in 2016 but is being challenged in court. There are November ballot measures in Oregon and Colorado. Photo courtesy Center for Food Safety.

Kucinich in Oregon to Stump for Food Labeling

PORTLAND, Ore. - After two terms in Congress and a couple of Democratic nominations for president, former Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich is putting …

PHOTO: Plans to phase out the PGE Boardman plant are already in the works, and would help Oregon meet its target for reducing carbon emissions from power generation. Photo courtesy of the Sierra Club.

For Oregon, EPA Carbon Rule is Right in Line

PORTLAND, Ore. - Cleaning up carbon pollution from power plants is the goal of a more than 600-page rule called the Clean Power Plan, proposed Monday …

PHOTO: The Ash Grove Cement plant near Durkee, Ore., says it has spent $20 million in recent years to reduce the amount of mercury and other pollutants released into the air from the cement-making process. Photo credit: Deborah C. Smith

Federal Court Closes Cement Plant "Loophole"

PORTLAND, Ore. - On the eve of Earth Day, a federal appeals court ruled Friday that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can no longer let …

PHOTO: Workers are exposed to silica dust in construction industries. OSHA is proposing rules to minimize exposure, since the dust is linked to chronic respiratory illnesses and deaths. Photo: New Jersey Dept. of Health

OSHA Hearing Examines Silica Dust Risks

Salem, OR - OSHA recently wrapped up nearly three weeks of hearings on a proposed rule to limit workers' exposure to silica dust. General …

PHOTO: January is Radon Action Month, and this year's winner of a radon poster contest illustrates the damage radon gas can do to people's lungs. Photo courtesy of EPA.

Winter is the Time to Test Homes for Radon

PORTLAND, Ore. – You can't see, smell or taste it, but radon could be present in dangerous levels in your home, and winter is the best time to …

PHOTO: Oregon is one of seven states asking the EPA for tougher air pollution rules for woodstoves. In Utah, some physicians want to ban all wood burning in populated areas.

Wood Smoke – Worse than Cigarettes?

PORTLAND, Ore. – There's nothing like a crackling fire on a chilly day. But Oregon is one of seven states asking for more federal attention to …

PHOTO: Some Northwest fishermen say the 'thrill of the catch' would be a lot less thrilling if coal shipments compromise air and water quality on the Columbia River. Photo credit: Nic Callero.

Fishermen Cast Their Doubts on NW Coal Terminal Plans

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Northwest fishing community says state and federal agencies ought to be trolling for a lot more information before …

PHOTO: Kids are especially susceptible to chemicals, and parents might be surprised to find out how many were found in recent lab tests of everyday outdoor picnic products. Photo credit: iStockphoto.com.

Uninvited Guests at Oregon Picnics: Toxic Chemicals

PORTLAND, Ore. – There may be more than ants and sunburns to worry about at this year's picnics and barbecues. A coalition of consumer …

PHOTO: Riverkeepers in Virginia and around the world are testing the waters for Swimmable Water Weekend, a global event to raise awareness of water quality and the impact of pollution. Photo credit: theswimguide.org

"Get Ready, Get Set, Swim! Or Not..."

COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. – It's Swimmable Water Weekend, an international observance that comes at a bad time for some spots in Oregon this year…

PHOTO: Despite the challenges, a new crop of Oregon beekeepers wants to give it a try. More than 60 attended

Despite Risks, More Oregonians Discover Beekeeping

JACKSONVILLE, Ore. - Beekeepers nationwide have seen record losses in their hives in recent years, and Oregon is no exception. That has not …

PHOTO: The Basel Action Network estimates 75 percent of the electronic waste that arrives in Lagos, Nigeria, is not reusable. BAN says too often, as in this photo, it ends up being dumped. Courtesy BAN.

Out with the Old: Recycling Cell Phones, Laptops, TVs...

PORTLAND, Ore. - “Out with the old, in with the new” takes on a whole new meaning when the topic is electronic gear. A new national …

PHOTO: Toy store shelves are packed this time of year, and it's up to shoppers to determine what is safe to purchase for the kids in their lives. Courtesy of Real Kids Shades.

Survey Finds Dangerous Toys Remain on Store Shelves

PORTLAND, Ore. - Toys that make loud noises, contain high levels of toxic substances or small parts that pose a choking risk are the focus of this …

PHOTO: This U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service photo shows fish casualties the agency says were the result of pesticide contamination. Courtesy of USFWS.

West Coast Salmon Show Up in Virginia Courtroom

PORTLAND, Ore. - This week, a federal court in Virginia is being asked to overturn a decision that has major impacts on Northwest salmon and …

PHOTO: Ash Grove Cement Company plant in Durkee, Ore. Photo credit: Deborah Smith

EPA Eases Up on Cement-Makers' Air Pollution

DURKEE, Ore. - Cement companies appear to have won the latest round in their long battle with the federal government over controlling mercury and …

Spring Cleaning: Danger Under the Sink?

PORTLAND, Ore. - As many people in Oregon and across the nation begin the annual ritual of spring cleaning, 21 health and environmental groups are …

Aging Dams Pose Challenges for Fish and Feds

BURBANK, Wash. - The Army Corps of Engineers is testing the oil used in dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers to see if it contains PCBs, chemicals …

Survey: BPA Bans Clear Baby Bottle Concerns for Parents

SALEM, Ore. - Bans to keep products with the chemical Bisphenol A, commonly called BPA, out of baby and toddler items have been effective, according …

Oregon's Stake in Grand Canyon Mining Moratorium

PORTLAND, Ore. - More than 300,000 Americans and hundreds of organizations, including 26 in Oregon, are supporting a federal proposal for a 20-year …

Another Safety "Blowout" for Popular Hair Product

PORTLAND, Ore. - Hair-straightening products were tested last year by the State of Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (OSHA) when some …

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