Oregon's air toxics benchmarks help DEQ identify, evaluate and address air toxics problems. Oregon air toxics benchmarks are based on concentration levels that would result in a cancer risk of one-in-a-million additional cancers based on a lifetime of exposure. For non-carcinogens, the benchmarks are levels you could breathe for a lifetime without any non-cancer health effects.
The
ambient benchmark concentrations for 52 air toxics of concern in Oregon are based on consensus recommendations from the
Air Toxics Scientific Advisory Committee, a panel of experts that provides advice on the state air toxics program that is scientifically and technically sound, independent and balanced.
The benchmarks are based on concentration levels that protect the health of our most sensitive individuals. These benchmarks provide consistent health-based goals, as DEQ develops strategies to reduce air toxics.