Neighbors for Clean Air
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Neighbors for Clean Air works to ensure that every Oregonian has clean and healthy air to breathe.
Neighbors of Clean Air was initially founded in 2009 by parents and neighbors in Portland Oregon to advocate for cleaner air in Northwest Portland after reading USA Today’s story “The Smokestack Effect.” USA Today investigated the impacts of industrial sources of hazardous air pollutants on schools. It was based on a study, conducted by researchers and scientists from University of Massachusetts – Amherst, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Maryland, and showed many schools in the Portland Metro area ranked in the bottom 10% of all schools in the nation. Chapman Elementary, located in Northwest Portland, ranked in the bottom 2% of schools around the nation for the impact due to industrial sources of hazardous air pollution. Neighbors for Clean Air’s first campaign was focused on the most visible industrial polluter, ESCO Corporation, and the organization successfully convinced the company to significantly reduce the hazardous air pollution coming into the neighborhood. Since the historic agreement with ESCO, Neighbors for Clean Air has expanded its mission and now works with communities throughout Oregon. The organization works hard to reduce the public health impacts by reducing toxic air contaminants from all sources in the state: industrial, trucks and automobiles, construction equipment and lawn equipment, to name just a few. Thanks to dedicated community advocacy, in the last three years alone, since a science based ground breaking innovative study using moss to measure and identify air pollution, Oregon has experienced unprecedented progress in the work to improve air quality. These three years have reversed decades of neglect and ignorance in the face of significant air quality concerns in our neighborhoods. Since that study broke in Feb 2016, Oregon has overhauled its Air permitting program to be health-based, has finally implemented a program to eliminate dirty diesel school buses in the state, has seen the largest increase in Oregon DEQ’s air budget ever, and our state became only the 2nd in the country to establish in use Diesel engine standards.
09/19/2026
A big thank you to summer intern Ella for all of her hard work and dedication at NCA!
Her positive attitude and fun energy made her a wonderful addition to the team. Here internship ended a few weeks ago, and we are so grateful for everything she contributed and hope she has an amazing trip to Guatemala and a great start to the school year!!!
09/04/2026
You're invited! Save the date for NCA's annual Clean Air Gala, taking place on November 19th. 🪩✨️
Join us for a night of music, food, and fun while celebrating the impact NCA has had on air quality in our communities since 2010!
Questions? Email Andrew at [email protected].
We hope to see you there!
09/02/2026
Recently, a new road to the Wasco County Landfill was completed. This is good news for Wasco County residents, as it will help with ongoing issues from heavy truck traffic.
❗️Unfortunately, Wasco County is still under consideration as a dumping site for Portland's contaminated Superfund sediment. Use your voice to advocate for a transparent and accountable Superfund cleanup plan by signing the petition at the link in our bio! 📝
NCA had an amazing time celebrating Portland's multicultural community at the Jade International Night Market this weekend! Thank you to to all those who came out to talk to us, and to the Jade District for having us. We hope everyone had a blast!
Did you know that NCA is supported by the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF)? Many community organizations supported by PCEF were at the Jade Night Market to help attendees recognize the impact of PCEF's climate investments around Portland. To learn more about PCEF's important work, check out their website or Portland Clean Energy Fund!
08/26/2026
NCA staff spent our lunch break yesterday listening to a Propublica panel discussion regarding all the ways the Trump Administration is trying to dismantle the Clean Air Act.
As federal protections are being rolled back, it's all the more reason why we need strong state and local air quality protection laws, like the Cleaner Air Oregon program.
Check out the links below to read more about sweeping exemptions being granted to various industries, and what exactly the Cleaner Air Oregon program does.
What is the Cleaner Air Oregon program: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/aq/cao/pages/default.aspx
Ways the Clean Air Act is under attack:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18gAeoyh79-i-Omkl7hF4a0_Nm8EJs_r4/view?usp=sharing
08/24/2026
Recently, NCA staff visited Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) sites run by Oregon DEQ in Portland on SE Lafayette Street and NE Sumner Street (Helensview High School).
Did you know that the DEQ monitors a variety of air toxins, including PM2.5, black carbon, ozone and sulphur dioxide? Some of these are mandated by the Clean Air Act, and some may not have levels that are of concern locally, but the data helps inform important nationwide trends. Others are mandated by the Oregon Air Toxics Monitoring Program and have important impacts in our communities and backyards.
For example, the DEQ's air monitoring plays a critical role in implementing the Wildfire Smoke Response Protocol in partnership with Oregon Health Authority and other agencies during wildfire season. Additionally, you can check out the DEQ's Air Quality Monitoring Map to see real time AQI updates and advisories.
We're grateful for all DEQ does to help inform the public and ensure healthy air for all Oregonians! 🌤️
08/21/2026
🏭️ Data center backup generators produce harmful emissions during regular testing and maintenance, as well as during their use in increasingly common designated emergency situations. 🚨This poses a growing air quality threat to Oregon's communities living near data centers!🚨
👆️ Learn more above about how data center backup generators harm air quality and the solutions that could decrease this impact.
08/19/2026
NCA staff and Camp AQ campers recently had the opportunity to take a boat ride along the Willamette Superfund site! Thanks to the folks at the Port of Portland, we learned more about why the Superfund cleanup is so important while enjoying a morning together in the sun ☀️
08/18/2026
Last week, our summer intern Felix completed his internship with us at NCA. We deeply appreciate all the help he provided our team, the relationships he formed with community members, and his positive presence and willingness. Thank you, Felix! 👏
We wish him the best as he heads back to the University of Portland this fall!
08/14/2026
Last week marked the fifth year of Camp AQ, which welcomed over 30 students! Over the span of four days, the campers developed a complex understanding of environmental justice and explored ways they can help make an impact on climate and justice issues.
☁️ On Day 1, students dived into the world of public health and air quality, investigating how art can be used as an activism tool.
📢 Day 2 focused on environmental justice and advocacy, with students learning from experts and honing their use of art in advocacy.
🌲 Day 3, campers delved into youth leadership in the environmental field, hearing from guest speakers with NCA and the Multnomah County Office of Sustainability.
📝 On the final day, students had the opportunity to attend a career fair and investigate ways they can take part in community organizing.
We cannot wait to see the impacts these youth activists will make in their communities!
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Address
17805 SE Stark St
Portland, OR
97233