As the new home of WashPIRG's environmental work, Environment Washington can be contacted regarding this news release.
OLYMPIA—In an important victory for both human health and the effort to clean up Puget Sound,
the Washington State House of Representatives became the first legislative body in the nation to
initiate a complete ban on a class of toxic flame retardants known as polybrominated diphenyl
ethers (PBDEs). While several states have banned penta and octa, Washington is poised to
become the first state, joining the European Union, in banning a third type of PBDE, deca.
PBDEs are used in televisions, laptops and other electronics and are increasingly used in
mattresses and other furniture. PBDEs, find their way from airborne dust, infiltrating human
systems and running off into Puget Sound and other bodies of water. Even in small amounts,
they can cause serious damage to reproductive and immune systems. These chemicals are
building up in marine wildlife and turning up in humans in blood samples and in tests on human
breast milk.
“Bromine-based flame retardants were long ago banned for use in children’s pajamas and it’s
time to ban them from all products that can enter our homes and harm human health,” said
WashPIRG Director, Bill LaBorde. “On top of the human health implications, PBDEs are a
major source of pollution in Puget Sound. This is why we supported Governor Gregoire’s
recommendation to ban these chemicals as a key part of her plan to clean up Puget Sound,”
added LaBorde.
House Bill 1024, sponsored by environmental champion Rep. Ross Hunter (D-48th Bellevue),
would prohibit the sale, manufacture or distribution of products sold in Washington containing
PBDE’s after January 1, 2008. However, as a safeguard, the legislature included a provision
allowing a fire safety commission to overrule the ban for any product if a safe alternative is not
available. Electronics manufactures such as Dell, Apple and HP have eliminated use of PBDEs<
in their products, as have furniture manufacturers such as IKEA.
The state Senate will next take up the bill. A Senate companion bill (SB 5034, sponsored by
Debbie Regala – 27th Tacoma) has already passed out of committee. Because the bill is
Department of Ecology request legislation, Governor Gregoire is certain to sign the bill into law.
