Press Releases

Walmart announced today that it will phase out the use of the toxic chemicals methylene chloride and N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) in paint removal products it sells in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America, and on walmart.com by February 2019.

Nationwide actions urge ban on toxic methylene chloride after four consumers died since EPA proposed restrictions.

Attention Reporters and Editors: Video and images of nap mat testing available here. (Seattle, WA) – Removing chemical flame retardants from foam nap mats in childcare centers can lower levels of the chemicals in dust by as much as 90%, a new peer-reviewed study has found. The study, appearing in Environmental Pollution today, is the […]

CHARLESTON, SC – At 31 years old, entrepreneur Drew Wynne’s life was cut short when he inhaled a toxic paint stripper containing methylene chloride, which he bought at Lowe’s to refinish a floor. Now his family is telling the hardware chain and other similar home improvement retailers to stop selling the deadly product to prevent another tragic death.

(Olympia, WA) – Today Governor Jay Inslee signed a new law restricting the use of firefighting foam containing harmful perfluorinated chemicals. Firefighting foam used at firefighting training facilities, airports, and military bases is one of the top reasons drinking water in several Washington state communities, as well as in states across the country, is contaminated […]

(Olympia, WA) Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed the Healthy Food Packaging Act today, making Washington the first state in the nation to ban the use of harmful nonstick “PFAS” chemicals in paper food packaging, including in microwave popcorn bags and fast food and cupcake wrappers. The legislation, HB 2658, was sponsored by Rep. Joan McBride (D-Kirkland) and received bipartisan votes in both […]

(Olympia, WA) – Last night, the Washington State Senate voted 30-17 to ban the use of paper food packaging products containing the harmful class of nonstick chemicals called “PFASs”. The bill, ESHB 2658, was sponsored by Rep. Joan McBride (D-Redmond). The bill has already passed the House, and now goes to Governor Inslee for signature. If the Governor signs the bill, Washington will be the first state in the nation to ban PFASs in food packaging.

(Olympia, WA) – Last night, the Washington State House of Representatives voted 72-26 to ban the sale of firefighting foam containing the harmful class of nonstick chemicals called “PFASs”. The legislation, ESSB 6413, also bans the use of the foam in fire training exercises and requires firefighters to be notified when these chemicals are used in the protective clothing firefighters wear. The bill already passed the Senate on a vote of 38-9.

UPDATE: The Washington State Legislature has passed bills to ban PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam and food packaging. More information. Release Date: February 14, 2018 Contact: Ivy Sager-Rosenthal, [email protected], 206-854-7623   (Olympia, WA) – The Washington State Legislature has advanced two bills that would ban sources of the harmful class of nonstick chemicals called PFASs. If […]

State legislatures across the country are stepping up to protect public health from harmful chemicals in an effort to fill gaps in chemical protections due to inaction by the US EPA, according to an analysis of state policies by Safer States. The analysis found that at least 23 states will consider 112 policies to limit exposures to toxic chemicals, including bans on nonstick PFAS chemicals and toxic flame retardants.