Press Releases

(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.

Advocates uncover likely use of toxic, environmentally harmful chemical in golf balls; call on EPA to follow Congressional directive to promptly address chemicals that build up in people and the environment

The House Environment Committee will hold hearings on two bills to eliminate sources of the harmful class of nonstick chemicals called PFASs at 1:30pm, Tuesday, January 23rd, in Hearing Room B of the John L. O’Brien at the State Capitol in Olympia. PFASs are industrial chemicals used in nonstick coatings on food packaging like microwave […]

New survey reveals few industry leaders, many laggards on TCE phase-out

Seattle, WA – Just in time for the holiday shopping season, today the Mind the Store campaign released its second annual report card on toxic chemicals in consumer products, which found that one-third of 30 major U.S. retailers are leaders, but two-thirds remain serious laggards. The report, Who’s Minding the Store? — A Report Card […]

Today, five environmental health groups called on the EPA Office of General Counsel to require Dr. Nancy Beck, Deputy Assistant Administrator (DAA) for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, to recuse herself from ongoing rulemaking on proposed bans of unsafe uses of three dangerous toxic chemicals.

Seattle, WA – A new study by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) shows that perfluorinated chemicals used in many household products are making their way into Washington’s lakes and rivers. The study tested waterbodies and the effluent from wastewater treatment plants for perfluorinated chemicals (PFAS). The results demonstrate that new-generation PFAS chemicals are […]