Neighborhood Community Exposure Assessment

Client: Amerities

Location: The Dalles, OR

In preparing a response to neighborhood odor complaints, MFA helped Amerities by working with the facility and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to develop and implement a naphthalene sampling plan. MFA collected samples during different times of year from several locations and summarized results in a written report to DEQ. The resulting evidence helped clear Amerities’ name: it indicated that naphthalene concentrations were consistent with expected background levels and concentrations measured by the Oregon Public Health Division near a similar wood treating facility. The Oregon Public Health Division concluded that concentrations at the similar wood treating facility did not pose a health risk to local residents, and the assessment results allowed Amerities to address concerns during the air permit renewal process.

Because of the community exposure assessment, Amerities:

• Was able to renew their air permit
• Has developed a positive relationship with the local community.