After high levels of potentially dangerous substances were found in the air near two schools, Bullseye Glass Company, Oregon, has announced what it described as a voluntary move, suspending its use of cadmium and arsenic.
Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) says the substances were detected by a monitoring device in a parking lot about 100 meters from Bullseye Glass during a nearly 30-day test of the air in October.
On February 1, 2016, staff from the DEQ shared the results with Bullseye. It was newly discovered that there were higher levels of arsenic and cadmium in the parking lot than in some other areas of the city. Additional samples were taken from different sites, but all the analysis for these other locations is not complete yet.
“We have engaged an environmental consulting firm to help us evaluate the data and conduct further testing and monitoring. Based on what we learn, although we are in full compliance with our air permit, Bullseye will take additional action based on any new findings that show corrective action is warranted.
While the DEQ has not required any action on our part, we decided to take action on our own. As of yesterday we suspended the use of cadmium and arsenic.
The owners and employees of Bullseye Glass care about the environment and our neighborhood and take this matter seriously,” according to a company release.