Though it sometimes gets lost in regulatory wording and confusing timelines, it’s worth shouting from the rooftops: Washington state is leading the nation on tackling some of the most hazardous chemicals in everyday products!
Case in point: This January, many first-in-nation regulations set under Safer Products for Washington went into effect. The Department of Ecology (Ecology) is now tackling another set of toxic chemicals in products to protect the health of people, waterways, and wildlife.
The Safer Products for Washington (SPW) Act is the nation’s strongest law regulating toxic chemicals in products. Under the law, Ecology identifies chemicals of high concern and the products that are the largest sources or uses of the chemicals, assesses safer alternatives, and puts in place regulations to restrict or require reporting of the toxic chemicals.
What comes next?
Ecology has already identified the next set of chemicals it will potentially regulate. From the PPD chemicals that harm salmon to siloxanes widely used in shampoos and other personal care products, Ecology is well on its way to identifying the priority products it will address and potentially regulate. June 2025 is the deadline for the products to be identified.
Read our comments asking Ecology to address more products such as styrene-based insulation and plastic packaging, and food-contact materials containing flame retardants.
The chemicals and proposed products include:
| Product Category | Product | Priority Chemicals |
|---|---|---|
| Building materials | Insulation | Organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) |
| Paints | PFAS | |
| Turf | 6PPD | |
| PFAS | ||
| Sealers/adhesives/caulks | Phthalates | |
| Cleaning and household care products | Cleaning and household care products | Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers |
| Phthalates | ||
| Toilet/bathroom deodorizers | Organobromine and/or organochlorine substances | |
| Cosmetics | Cosmetics | Siloxanes |
| Nail products | Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) substances | |
| Jewelry | Jewelry | Lead and lead compounds |
| Cadmium and cadmium compounds | ||
| Packaging | PVC | Organobromine and/or organochlorine substances |
Say NO to toxic PVC flooring!
TFF is asking Ecology to also prioritize PVC flooring in addition to PVC packaging.
Here’s why:
- PVC, made from organochlorine substances, contributes to widespread pollution from manufacturing to disposal, with disproportionate impacts in low-income communities and communities of color.
- The building and construction industry is the largest consumer of PVC, accounting for about 70% of its total use. Flooring is a significant use in this sector.
- PVC flooring is widely used in homes, especially in affordable housing, contributing to long-term health risks for residents. An estimated 3.3 million pounds of PVC are used annually in Washington’s affordable housing sector.
- There are safer solutions including certain cork and linoleum products.
By regulating PVC flooring, Ecology can protect vulnerable populations and ensure that new affordable housing buildings are being made with the safest products.
We cannot act too quickly to remove dangerous chemicals from our homes, schools, and workplaces!
Science and Policy Manager
Megan Liu is Toxic-Free Future's science and policy manager. She manages Toxic-Free Future’s numerous science projects and policy initiatives.
