As the new home of WashPIRG's environmental work, Environment Washington can be contacted regarding this news release.
Olympia—Gov. Locke
signed an Executive Order today directing the Department of Ecology (Ecology)
to fully implement the state’s plan to phase out mercury pollution and
start developing a new plan to phase out toxic flame retardants. Both directives
are part of the state’s policy to stop persistent toxic pollution (or PBTs).
The action was applauded by members of the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition, a broad
based alliance of health, environmental and other groups working to prevent
and cleanup persistent toxic pollution.
"We thank Gov. Locke
for taking these steps to protect human health and the environment," said
Charles Weems, MD, a board member for Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility.
"This makes Washington state a leader in protecting public health from
toxic pollution."
The governor’s executive
order directs Ecology to continue implementing the state’s mercury plan
and start work on a plan to phase out toxic flame retardants. Recent studies
show toxic flame retardants (polybrominated biphenyl ethers or PBDEs) are building
up rapidly in the environment and women’s breastmilk. PBDEs are chemical
cousins of PCBs, the long banned chemical and are in hundreds of products such
as polyurethane foam, carpets, mattresses, plastics, and computers.
"There is growing concern
that toxic flame retardants will be the PCBs or DDT of this generation. We are
thrilled Gov. Locke has recognized the urgency of the situation," said
Ivy Sager-Rosenthal, environmental advocate for the Washington Public Interest
Research Group (WashPIRG). "Now it is critical for the Legislature to back
this action with adequate funds."
The governor also challenged
the state Legislature to support Ecology’s program charged with phasing
out persistent toxic chemicals by restoring the funding for the program eliminated
in the 2003 state budget. Gov. Locke has allocated $436,000 in his budget for
the program.
"There are significant
increases in asthma, childhood learning disabilities and cancer that may very
well be related to persistent toxic chemicals in our food, air, water, and soil,"
said Elise Miller, executive director for the Institute for Children’s
Environmental Health. "We applaud Gov. Locke for taking this essential
action to help ensure a healthy future for current and future generations."
The Executive Order also
makes the state a leader in purchasing products that do not contribute to persistent
toxic pollution and directs Ecology to incorporate the state policy into its
programs.
"It is critical that
large purchasers, like Washington state, are taking steps to create markets
for cleaner products that don’t leave us with poisons in our bodies,"
said Paul Bogart of the Healthy Building Network. "From building materials
to office supplies, cost-effective alternatives exist that do not contribute
to a toxic legacy."
Restoring funding for the
state persistent toxics program is a top legislative priority for the Toxic-Free
Legacy Coalition and the environmental community.
On Thursday, January 29th,
at 8 a.m., the House Fisheries, Parks and Ecology Committee will hold a work
session on toxic flame retardants and breast milk in the John L. O’Brien
Building, Hearing Room A.
