Health experts find no public health risk from drug residue on TriMet

While levels of drugs detected in the University of Washington's study of air and surfaces on transit described as "extremely low," TriMet urges regional crackdown on public drug use, according to a news release.

Over the past two years, TriMet leaders have testified before Oregon lawmakers, city counselors and county commissioners asking state and regional leaders to address drugs and crime.

TriMet has also:

• increased security personnel for more on-board presence;
• updated the TriMet Code to address illicit drugs; and
• updated standard procedures for when a passenger is seen smoking drugs onboard.

Researchers placed air pumps onboard and collected surface samples from seats, windows and doors in 30 transit buses and trains. Across all five agencies, 180 samples (78 air samples and 102 surface samples) were collected.

The University of Washington study did not assess the health impacts on riders and operators from the traces found in air and surfaces samples, so TriMet sought the expertise of health experts, according to the release.