Beyond Toxins to host meeting, share west Eugene survey results Jan. 25

Beyond Toxins will host a Clean Air Community Meeting in west Eugene to share what neighbors in a surveyed area have said about air pollution in the neighborhood, what their biggest health concerns are and what can be done to speak out.

The meeting will be from 5 to 7 p.m.Jan. 25 at the Peterson Barn Community Center at 870 Berntzen Rd., Eugene, OR 97402.

"We've been mostly asking about demographics, health concerns, and what people think about the air quality," said Ana Molina, environmental justice campaign liaison for Beyond Toxins. "We'll be sharing the results of that to the residents of West Eugene, whoever decides to come to the meeting, since we want them to know what it is that their neighbors are saying."

The survey has not yet been published but Luis Pablo Alvarez, Environmental Justice Community Organizer for Beyond Toxins, shared some information ahead of the event. In one of the surveyed sectors of west Eugene, made up of 54 households, 74% of households said they can detect a toxic smell or taste in the neighborhood they live in and 46% say that the smell and taste affects their day-to-day activities, according Beyond Toxins data.

Additionally, 32% said they suffer from Asthma, higher than the average population.

The meeting will include free dinner and childcare with an RSVP. Attendees can RSVP by texting "RESULTS" to 313131 before Jan. 20. Meeting-goers will receive a return text message with registration instructions. Interested parties can also email Ana Molina at amolina@beyondtoxics.org with their name, email/phone, the number of people who will be attending and if they will need childcare.

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