Air toxics are air pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health problems. National and state studies indicate that Oregonians are exposed to a number of air toxics at potentially harmful levels.

DEQ reduces air toxics through regulations and by encouraging people and businesses to produce less pollution. The Oregon Air Toxics program works with communities and local governments to create and implement plans to further reduce air toxics.

Air toxics include diesel soot, benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (tar-like by-products from auto exhaust and other sources) metals including manganese, nickel and lead.

Air toxics come from a variety of sources including cars and trucks, all types of burning (including fireplaces and woodstoves), businesses industries consumer products.