176
Toxic Chemicals
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY PERSISTENT,
BIOACCUMULATIVE TOXINS PROGRAM AND OTHER
TARGETED (MERCURY) CHEMICALS PROGRAMS
The state of Washington has a number of other toxic chemical reduction programs
that target specific chemicals, as detailed in this section.
In August 1998, the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) released a dioxin
source assessment and announced plans to develop a long-term strategy to reduce
and eliminate persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) substances. Established
by the Washington DOE in 2000, the department’s PBT program was implemented
to phase out all sources of persistent toxic chemicals through specific state actions,
focusing on one PBT at a time. PBT chemicals build up through the food chain
and accumulate in human and animal tissues. Specifically, in December 2000, the
Washington State DOE developed the Proposed Strategy to Continually Reduce
Persistent, Bioaccumulative Toxins (PBTs) in Washington State (Washington State
DOE 2000b). This document outlined strategies and actions to phase out PBTs.
The primary goals established by the department’s PBT program to reduce the
use and prevent the pollution of PBTs are as follows:
• Development of alternative materials used in products and industrial or
manufacturing processes
• Incremental and continuous improvements in pollution reduction through
better science and processes, technical assistance, and use of regulatory tools
• Additional guidance and direction to agencies by Washington legislature
Under guidance provided by the state legislature in 2002, the Departments of
Ecology and Health targeted mercury as the first priority pollutant in the PBT initiative in the state. Mercury was made the highest priority PBT chemical in Washington
due to its widespread use and ease of release into the environment. The Washington
State Mercury Chemical Action Plan (Peele 2003) outlined strategies to reduce the
use and pollution of mercury. This plan was followed by the 2003 Mercury Education
Reduction Act (MERA; Chapter 70.95M RCW).
Chapter 173-333 WAC, Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins Regulations, was
finalized in February 2006. The draft multiyear PBT Chemical Action Plan
Schedule was published in September 2006 and received public comment until
December 20, 2006. This plan proposes to develop chemical action plans for lead,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS),
in that order, from November 2006 to March 2010.
The Washington DOE also produced a plan to examine and reduce the use of
polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants. A final PBDE action plan
was published in January 2006.
Lead and cadmium have been designated metals of concern under WAC
173-333-315. The “metals-of-concern” category was established as an interim category pending completion of the inorganic metals assessment framework process of
the EPA. The Washington DOE can prepare chemical action plans for one or more
metals of concern.
Toxic Chemicals
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY PERSISTENT,
BIOACCUMULATIVE TOXINS PROGRAM AND OTHER
TARGETED (MERCURY) CHEMICALS PROGRAMS
The state of Washington has a number of other toxic chemical reduction programs
that target specific chemicals, as detailed in this section.
In August 1998, the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) released a dioxin
source assessment and announced plans to develop a long-term strategy to reduce
and eliminate persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) substances. Established
by the Washington DOE in 2000, the department’s PBT program was implemented
to phase out all sources of persistent toxic chemicals through specific state actions,
focusing on one PBT at a time. PBT chemicals build up through the food chain
and accumulate in human and animal tissues. Specifically, in December 2000, the
Washington State DOE developed the Proposed Strategy to Continually Reduce
Persistent, Bioaccumulative Toxins (PBTs) in Washington State (Washington State
DOE 2000b). This document outlined strategies and actions to phase out PBTs.
The primary goals established by the department’s PBT program to reduce the
use and prevent the pollution of PBTs are as follows:
• Development of alternative materials used in products and industrial or
manufacturing processes
• Incremental and continuous improvements in pollution reduction through
better science and processes, technical assistance, and use of regulatory tools
• Additional guidance and direction to agencies by Washington legislature
Under guidance provided by the state legislature in 2002, the Departments of
Ecology and Health targeted mercury as the first priority pollutant in the PBT initiative in the state. Mercury was made the highest priority PBT chemical in Washington
due to its widespread use and ease of release into the environment. The Washington
State Mercury Chemical Action Plan (Peele 2003) outlined strategies to reduce the
use and pollution of mercury. This plan was followed by the 2003 Mercury Education
Reduction Act (MERA; Chapter 70.95M RCW).
Chapter 173-333 WAC, Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins Regulations, was
finalized in February 2006. The draft multiyear PBT Chemical Action Plan
Schedule was published in September 2006 and received public comment until
December 20, 2006. This plan proposes to develop chemical action plans for lead,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS),
in that order, from November 2006 to March 2010.
The Washington DOE also produced a plan to examine and reduce the use of
polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants. A final PBDE action plan
was published in January 2006.
Lead and cadmium have been designated metals of concern under WAC
173-333-315. The “metals-of-concern” category was established as an interim category pending completion of the inorganic metals assessment framework process of
the EPA. The Washington DOE can prepare chemical action plans for one or more
metals of concern.