PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Oregon Health Authority and Department of Environmental Quality are taking a closer look at the emissions from Bullseye Glass Co. after elevated levels of selenium were detected.
The selenium levels were found by the air monitoring device near the Children’s Creative Learning Center daycare.
The tests from Sept. 6 showed 887 nanograms of selenium per cubic meter of air. The 24-hour screening level for Oregon is 710 nanograms, above that is the point at which immediate negative health effects could occur, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
According to DEQ laboratory program manager Brian Boling, the bag house filter at Bullseye should filter out the selenium and prevent spikes in the levels if Bullseye only uses 5 pounds a day. They sent a letter to the glass company asking for confirmation that they are committed to limiting their use of selenium to no ore than 5 pounds a day.
Selenium can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, bronchitis and difficulty breathing if you breathe it in high levels over a short period of time.
