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The Department of Ecology (Ecology) has a huge opportunity to use the Safer Products for Washington Act to stop toxic pollution that can harm orcas, pregnant women and babies, and other vulnerable species and populations. This law gives Ecology unprecedented authority to ban classes of dangerous chemicals used in a wide array of products, from plastics and personal care products to electronics and building materials.
There are currently five classes of chemicals Ecology is moving forward with action. Many of these chemicals persist in the environment, build up in the food chain, and affect the health of wildlife, including the endangered Southern Resident killer whales. Governor Inslee’s Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force identified toxic chemicals as a major threat to orcas because chemicals can impact orca health and reduce the availability of Chinook salmon, a preferred food source.
It’s the same for people! Toxic-Free Future’s recent peer-reviewed study on toxic PFAS in breast milk showed that women and babies are also bearing the brunt of this type of pollution. The study shows that the PFAS currently being used in food packaging, clothing, and upholstery are in breast milk and detections are doubling every four years!
The agency is currently identifying safer alternatives as required by law so that rules can be adopted to ban the following chemicals in products:
Safer alternatives to products containing these chemicals are feasible and available.
The Department of Ecology can and should move swiftly to ban these chemicals in products. Any delay in action further endangers the health of people and orcas.
Please urge Ecology to use its authority under the Safer Products for Washington law to take swift, strong action on these high-priority chemicals.
Your action today can help protect the health of people and orcas for generations to come!
Will you ask state leaders to take stronger, swifter action against PFAS?
Thank you for your interest
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