Oregonian: Wyden rips EPA over benzene-heavy air

Wyden rips EPA over benzene-heavy air pollution - The senator threatens to block an EPA nomination as long as the Northwest is an "environmental sacrifice zone"

Friday, November 03, 2006
MICHAEL MILSTEIN

Sen. Ron Wyden said Thursday that he will block a Bush administration appointment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency until the agency better protects the Northwest from benzene, a toxic compound that reaches hazardous levels in Portland's air.

His action came in response to The Oregonian's report Sunday that gasoline in Washington and Oregon contains about twice the national average levels of benzene, which spews from vehicle tailpipes.

Some Portland residents, especially in and around downtown, breathe more than 40 times the concentrations of benzene considered safe over the long term, according to an analysis by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

Read the original Oregonian article by clicking here

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