DEQ puts new demands on Bullseye Glass

PORTLAND, Ore. -- State officials released new information Thursday about the air quality in Southeast Portland. Air samples are still showing the highly toxic hexavalent chromium in the air. While the state is still hesitant to name Bullseye Glass as the main source of the pollutant, it continues to be the focus.

"When they fire the furnaces, even though those furnaces aren't using chrom, that hot gas may be mobilizing that chromium VI that's still sitting in that smoke stack," said Keith Johnson, air quality manager for DEQ.

"Just stop," said Jessica Applegate with Eastside Portland Air Coalition. Applegate lives in Southeast Portland and wants to see the company stop production until the state releases its new rules.

"I'm worried anytime they melt anything, even if it's abiding by their permit, because there's that residue and buildup of hexavalent chromium we are continually being exposed to that, " said Applegate.

Bullseye Glass released a statement Thursday saying in part the tests were inconclusive.

"Introducing ambient air into the furnace exhaust likely influenced the detected levels of chromium VI during the test," according to the release.

Johnson says Bullseye has until Sept. 1 to clean its exhaust stacks and remove the residual chromium.