Oregon Officials Find Cancer Cluster Near Glass Factory

Oregon officials studying the effects of heavy metal emissions from two glass factories in Portland have discovered a higher than expected number of bladder cancer cases near one of the factories between 1999 and 2003.

The increases, which officials termed "statistically significant," were found in two census tracts in North Portland.

According to the state report, investigators had expected to find 5.2 cases of bladder cancer in those years and found 12.

Officials said that other than the elevated numbers in those tracts in those years, there were no other red flags.

The rates of bladder and lung cancer, which are most often associated with exposure to cadmium and arsenic, were consistent with expected rates.

In all, the report concluded: "rates of lung and bladder cancer were generally consistent with expected rates during 1999-2013 in the areas of SE and North Portland where environmental levels of heavy metals were found to be elevated."

The state has been trying to address community concerns since reports surfaced in early February that they had known about the presence of heavy metals such as cadmium and arsenic in moss samples taken from the communities around two glass factories.

The situation has attracted national attention.

On Saturday environmental activist Erin Brockovich will be in town to address a community meeting.