Lawmaker seeks ban of toxic fuel at Portland racetrack after Guardian story | Oregon

An Oregon legislator has moved to ban the use of leaded fuel at a racetrack in Portland following community outcry and a Guardian investigation.

Leaded fuel has been banned for use in regular automobiles for decades, due to the toxic and irreversible impact of lead on the human brain and body as particles are emitted from tailpipes. However, it is still legal to use leaded gasoline in off-road vehicles, such as farm equipment – and racecars.

Recent research has linked leaded gas emissions from racetracks to cognitive impairment in children living nearby.

The Guardian calculated that third graders – students aged eight or nine – who have grown up within two miles of Portland International Raceway could experience more than a six percentage point decline in their standardized test scores.

The bill, which was was introduced in the Oregon legislature in February, would ban leaded fuel use at racetracks in Oregon cities with populations over 500,000. It would specifically affect the Portland International Raceway (PIR), the only racetrack in Oregon within a large city.

The bill is being sponsored by Travis Nelson, a state representative, whose staff says that the Guardian’s investigation was “instrumental in Rep Nelson’s ability to get a bill this session to ban leaded gas at Portland International Raceway”.

As the Guardian reported, leaded gasoline is being used regularly in dozens of racetracks around the US.

“Lead is a well-documented hazard, banned worldwide for good reason. Yet, leaded fuel continues to be used in close proximity to people who live in the area, including schools, daycares, and parks. The use of leaded gas at PIR is something that my constituents have spoken out about for a very long time, and I am ensuring their voices are being heard by the state,” said Nelson.

Nelson’s constituency includes the North Portland neighborhoods closest to the racetrack. His efforts are the latest step in a years-long battle between the neighborhood, out-of-town racing enthusiasts and the racetrack itself, which is owned and operated by the city of Portland.

Linda Wysong, a resident who lives near the track, said the recent research requires urgent action. “The extent of the potential harm from use of leaded fuel in racing is a relatively new finding. Now we know of this danger, it is time to act. Recreation should not be prioritized over the health and wellbeing of our children and elders.”

A spokesperson for Portland parks & recreation (PP&R), the department that oversees PIR, said that the racetrack’s reliance on event revenue has made it challenging to phase out the use of leaded gasoline. “PP&R is prepared to fully eliminate leaded fuel use at PIR upon completion of a feasibility study and transition planning process that helps to identify solutions that will allay community concerns, recognize the historic importance of the site, and identify a financially sustainable future for the facility.”

As written, the bill would give the racetrack three years to phase out the use of leaded gasoline. It is due for consideration by Oregon lawmakers in the coming weeks.