Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Research

Overview 

We have identified a potential source of lead contamination in some Portland neighborhoods. Lead-sheathed telephone lines were installed from the late 1800s–1950s. Many of them have been replaced and removed, but some of them remain. Most areas in Portland do not have the older lead-sheathed cables as many of them have been, and continue to be, removed. 

We found higher levels of lead in older Portland neighborhoods (annexed to the city before 1916) compared to newer neighborhoods. Older Portland neighborhoods, and older neighborhoods across the country, are more likely to have lead paint, lead solder in plumbing, and other sources of lead contamination, including lead-sheathed telephone cables. The highest levels of environmental lead in our study were found in the immediate vicinity of lead-sheathed telephone cables.

Possible Exposure Pathways 

While we don't yet have enough information to know if there is a danger of exposure from these cables, research suggests that lead is being leached by rain from these old lead-sheathed telephone lines and contaminating soil and other surfaces below the lines. 

Finding a source of potential lead contamination does not automatically mean that you, your family, or your pets have been exposed to lead from these sources. The primary exposure pathways of concern are ingestion and inhalation of contaminated soil and dust. The first phase of our research focused on lead in moss from trees across the city. The next phase of our research will focus on soil testing in Portland neighborhoods with lead-sheathed telephone lines. We want to test the soil to determine if the soil lead levels are above the level of concern, and figure out if this could be a pathway to exposure. 

If you answer yes to ANY of the following questions, you likely DO NOT live in a neighborhood with overhead lead-sheathed cables: 

1. My telephone cables, or all utility cables, are not overhead on utility poles but buried underground.

2. Houses in my neighborhood were built in the 1960s or later.

   Our map identifies the oldest Portland neighborhoods. Overhead lead-sheathed cables may be found outside the mapped area in neighborhoods with homes built before 1960. Here is a more detailed map showing Portland neighborhoods and when they were annexed by the city. 

We have been in communication with the Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and Multnomah County Health Department to discuss our research. We are planning more studies to assess potential exposure risks from these cables, in an ongoing partnership with local and state public health agencies.