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Areas of Pearl District test positive for asbestos after Centennial Mills fire
katu.com • • nation
Key Points:
- Areas in Portland’s Pearl District tested positive for asbestos three days after a massive fire at the Centennial Mills warehouse, prompting health and safety warnings from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
- Residents reported debris and ash falling on their properties, with some already cleaning up dust before receiving warnings not to disturb the asbestos-contaminated material.
- The DEQ and local authorities are conducting air and debris sampling, while nearby The Fields Park remains closed until deemed safe; specially trained K-9 units conducted a search for remains with no findings.
- Community members expressed frustration over delayed communication and concerns about health risks, especially regarding exposure during and after the fire.
- City officials stated that air monitoring shows low health risk outside the immediate fire area, the fire’s cause remains under investigation, and a controlled demolition of the building is expected in the coming weeks.
