WA State First to Slay PBDEs?The Washington State Legislature has passed the nation's first ban on all forms of the toxic flame retardants known as PBDEs. The Senate passed ESHB1024, sponsored by Rep. Ross Hunter (D-Medina), by a 41 to 8 margin at noon today. Senator Debbie Regala (D-Tacoma) sponsored the companion bill in the Senate. The bill is the first one of the four Priorities for a Healthy Washington to head to the Governor's desk. The Washington State Departments of Ecology and Health requested the legislation, which is supported by Governor Gregoire, three state fire associations, the Washington State Nurses Association, the Washington Medical Association, and many others. The legislation bans the use of the penta and octa forms of PBDEs, with limited exceptions, by 2008; bans the use of the deca form in mattresses by 2008; and bans the use of the deca form in televisions, computers, and residential upholstered furniture by 2011, as long as a safer, reasonable, and effective alternative has been identified by the state departments of Ecology and Health and approved by fire safety officials. "With the passage of this legislation, Washington is a safer place to raise children," said Laurie Valeriano, Policy Director for the Washington Toxics Coalition. "Scientific facts and disease prevention won out today over chemical industry scare tactics and hype."? "This is truly a case where prevention is essential," said Judy Huntington, MN, RN, Executive Director of the Washington State Nurses Association. "By passing this legislation, we are making vital progress in protecting our state's children, families and workers from permanent yet preventable harm." For more information, visit http://www.watoxics.org
Back to Home page. |
