Debris from the fire that ravaged the former Kmart building in Northeast Portland this week contains asbestos, Oregon’s environmental agency confirmed.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality tested fragments that had floated about a mile south to Luuwit View Park, a popular city park, and found it included asbestos.
All city of Portland activities planned at the park have been canceled for Friday and the Parkrose School District plans to keep all summer school students indoors.
Health officials urged the public to avoid areas that have ash or debris and keep children and pets away.
Those whose yards and driveways may contain fire debris should not touch, pick up, move, sweep or vacuum any ash or debris that may have come from the fire; they also should not mow the grass or work in the garden if the area was potentially exposed.
The state agency launched an area assessment Friday to better understand the spread of the contamination and to identify next steps in the cleanup.
The fire ripped through the vacant Kmart building on Wednesday morning, spreading ash and other debris across the Parkrose and Argay neighborhoods. Charred pieces of the building and heavy dust floated many street blocks from the blaze, landing in yards, school fields and streets.
It’s unclear when the Department of Environmental Quality received the Luuwit View Park test results. A city contractor began to clean up the park on Thursday afternoon. The department didn’t send the public warning until Thursday night.
City or state agencies have not said if they plan to clean any other areas or assist private homeowners to clean up their yards.
Officials said homeowners can gently soak ash and debris with water to keep it from becoming airborne, but should not power wash it.
Asbestos was used widely in building materials throughout the last century and long-term exposure can cause cancer and lung-related health issues.
Other agencies involved in the investigation include the Oregon Health Authority, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Portland Bureau of Emergency Management and Multnomah County.
– Gosia Wozniacka; gwozniacka@oregonian.com; @gosiawozniacka
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