Washington State Governor Signs Nation’s Strongest Law Regulating Toxics in Products

Carina Wells | 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2019
CONTACT: Laurie Valeriano, lvaleriano@toxicfreefuture.org 206-200-2824 (cell) or
Jamie Nolan, jamienolan@saferchemicals.org 410.463.9869 (cell)

(Olympia, WA) — Washington Governor Jay Inslee has signed precedent-setting legislation protecting people and orcas from toxic chemical pollution. Washington now has the nation’s strongest policy regulating toxic chemicals in products, a major source of harmful chemicals in our homes and environment. The new law prioritizes five chemical classes for action: PFAS, organohalogen flame retardants, phthalates, alkylphenol ethoxylates and bisphenols, and PCBs.

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Washington State Passes Nation’s Strongest Legislation Regulating Harmful Chemicals in Consumer Products

Carina Wells | 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 23, 2019

CONTACT: Laurie Valeriano, lvaleriano@toxicfreefuture.org 206-200-2824 (cell) or Jamie Nolan, jamienolan@saferchemicals.org 410.463.9869 (cell)

(Olympia, WA) The Washington State Legislature has passed precedent-setting legislation to protect people and orcas from toxic chemical pollution. Governor Inslee supported the legislation and is expected to sign it.

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FAA Urged to Allow Use of Safer Firefighting Foams

Carina Wells | 
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The dangerous class of nonstick chemicals called “PFAS” contaminates drinking water, communities, and people across the United States. One of the culprits: PFAS put into firefighting foams used at airports as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA requirement means that these foams remain a big concern when it comes to PFAS pollution, unnecessarily exposing communities and firefighters to the dangerous chemicals.

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Bill to Stop Toxic Pollution Harmful to Orcas and People Passes Senate

Carina Wells | 
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(Olympia, WA) – The Washington State Senate has passed precedent-setting legislation to eliminate sources of toxic chemicals that are harmful to orcas and humans. The Pollution Prevention for Our Future Act (SSB 5135), sponsored by Senator Christine Rolfes (D-Bainbridge Island), implements recommendations put forward by Governor Inslee’s Orca Task Force. It passed the Senate with a vote of 25-24.

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Underwear!? Lip Gloss!? PJs!? Oh My!

Carina Wells | 
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Underwear!? Lip gloss!? PJs!? Oh my! That was our reaction when we looked at the over 8700 new reports of toxic chemicals in kids’ products sold in Washington state. Manufacturers reported putting chemicals linked to cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive problems, and neurological problems in products kids use to play, bathe, and sleep. When you consider that just one report can mean there are hundreds or even thousands of that product for sale in Washington, that’s a lot of toxic chemicals on store shelves.

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Major Retailers Phasing Out Worst of the Worst Chemicals

Carina Wells | 
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As consumers increasingly demand less toxic products and laws require the use of safer chemicals, retailers are requiring suppliers to stop using harmful chemicals in consumer products.

Chemicals included in these voluntary phaseouts include four classes of chemicals that have emerged as a particular concern for the health of both humans and wildlife: PFAS, toxic flame retardants, phthalates, and APEs.

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EPA PFAS Management Plan Fails to Protect Drinking Water, Washingtonians

Carina Wells | 
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Seattle, WA – A new U.S. EPA management plan released today to address harmful nonstick PFAS chemicals in drinking water in Washington state and across the country does not include the urgent actions needed to help affected communities or protect the health of residents and the environment, says the environmental health advocacy group Toxic-Free Future.

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