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BPA Baby Bottle Ban Passes WA State Senate Jan 30, 2010 Oregon Public Broadcasting: The Washington state Senate approved a bill Friday to limit the sale of products made with the chemical BPA. It would apply to baby bottles, sippy cups and other children's food and drink containers. Studies of Bisphenol-A say it increases the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes, among other health problems. Chantal Anderson reports.
Legislation seeks limited ban on chemical used in plastics Jan 28, 2010 Seattle TImes: Perhaps as early as Friday, the Washington state Senate is expected to vote on whether to fine manufacturers and retailers that make or sell baby bottles, sippy cups, and cans or jars of infant food that contain the chemical bisphenol A because of health concerns for young children.
House OKs bill against BPA Jan 26, 2010 The Olympian: A bill to ban the use of an industrial chemical found in food and beverage containers used by children sailed through the House on Monday on a 95-1 vote.
Protect children from hazardous chemicals Jan 19, 2010 Seattle Times: The federal Food and Drug Administration is rethinking its approval of the chemical bisphenol A, known as BPA. The Washington Legislature should pass legislation to phase out use of the chemical in baby bottles, drinking cups and plastic tableware used by children under age 3.
Reversing itself, FDA expresses concerns over health risks from BPA Jan 16, 2010 The Washington Post: The Food and Drug Administration has reversed its position on the safety of Bisphenol A, a chemical found in plastic bottles, soda cans, food containers and thousands of consumer goods, saying it now has concerns about health risks.
Study Shows Toxins Present at Birth Nov 17, 2009 KUOW News: Pregnant women are often extra careful to avoid toxic products, like certain plastics and chemicals in household cleaners. But a new study of West Coast mothers shows those efforts only go so far. Babies are born already exposed to toxins linked to serious health problems. KUOW's Liz Jones reports.
Laundry waste water harming Puget Sound, study says Sep 29, 2009 Tacoma News Tribune: Dirty water from residential washing machines is a significant source of a toxin polluting Puget Sound, according to a study released Tuesday.
Puget Sound: Down the drain? Sep 29, 2009 Seattle PostGlobe: A new study thought to be the first of its kind suggests that we’re all walking dust bunnies whose clothes collect toxic-chemical-laden dust and, what’s worse, pollute: Every time we do a load of laundry, some of those toxins eventually wash into Puget Sound.
Pooch poison: Lead found in dog toys Sep 16, 2009 KOMO News.com: The toys your dog loves to chew on may be toxic. Results of recent testing conducted by Washington Toxics Coalition show an alarming number of chew toys contain lead and other harsh metals and chemicals like cadmium, mercury, and arsenic.
Unsafe at any sip: Washington babies lose May 07, 2009 The Greenwash Brigade: Why did Wal-Mart undermine Washington State's proposed ban on bisphenol A in baby bottles?
Hospitals Adding Fresh, Organic Food To The Menu Apr 27, 2009 Los Angeles Times: More hospitals in the U.S. are offering organic produce and hormone- and antibiotic-free meats and dairy foods in response to a trend toward healthier eating habits.
EPA Moves Toward Testing of Potentially Dangerous Pesticides Apr 16, 2009 The Kitsap Sun: The Environmental Protection Agency will soon order the manufacturers of 67 pesticides to conduct tests to determine if chemical ingredients in their products can affect the hormonal systems of humans and animals.
State nears ban on baby-bottle chemical Mar 12, 2009 The News Tribune
How safe are your kids' toys? Feb 18, 2009 KYLY.com
Washington's toxic flame retardant ban to take effect Jan 21, 2009 Eastside Business News
State bill would ban chemical in baby bottles Jan 16, 2009 Komo News
The Real Story Behind Bisphenol A Jan 16, 2009 fastcompany.com
Wash. bill would ban chemical in baby bottles Jan 16, 2009 Seattle PI
US biologists: 3 common pesticides harm salmon Nov 19, 2008 Associated Press
New toxic toy rules still not in effect Nov 19, 2008 KING 5 NEWS
Does plastics additive affect sexual development?* Sep 16, 2008 Seattle PI
Flame retardants higher in kids than adults Sep 04, 2008 Seattle PI: Chemical flame retardants used in countless consumer items were detected at higher levels in the blood of children compared to their parents, according to new research out today from an environmental organization.
EPA to prohibit pesticide carbofuran residues Jul 28, 2008 www.hazmatmag.com: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a proposed decision that residues of carbofuran, a toxic pesticide that is used on a variety of crops, will no longer be allowed on food. This effectively means that carbofuran will have to be removed from the U.S. market, benefiting consumers and farm workers, as well as birds, which are frequently poisoned by the deadly chemical.
Grocery bag fee headed to full council Jul 24, 2008 Seattle PI: The full City Council is expected to vote on the proposals Monday that were passed Tuesday by a committee. If adopted, the new legislation will launch a 90-day campaign to educate residents and shoppers before the 20-cent per bag fee goes into effect on Jan. 1.
Fresh scent may hide toxic secret Jul 24, 2008 Seattle PI: The scented fabric sheet makes your shirts and socks smell flowery fresh and clean. That plug-in air freshener fills your home with inviting fragrances of apple and cinnamon or a country garden.But those common household items are potentially exposing your family and friends to dangerous chemicals, a University of Washington study has found.
County removes pesticide guide Jul 18, 2008 Seattle PI: At the insistence of agricultural industry-sponsored groups, a wallet-sized consumer guide to which fruits and vegetables contain the most and least pesticides has been pulled from a King County Web site, where it had been a popular draw.
Group: New vinyl shower curtains hazardous Jun 12, 2008 King 5 Seattle: It may the last thing on your mind when you get ready for a shower, but that new shower curtain may bring some unwanted friends into your home.A study found that more than 100 chemicals are released by some curtains, and some are at levels that violate indoor air safety standards.
Nalgene to nix BPA water bottles due to concern Apr 18, 2008 KOMO 4 TV: Hard-plastic Nalgene water bottles made with bisphenol A will be pulled from stores over the next few months because of growing consumer concern over whether the chemical poses a health risk.
Toxic Toys: Sky isn't falling Mar 28, 2008 Seattle P-I: In what could become a moment of political March Madness, toy manufacturers hope to overcome lopsided losses in the Legislature and persuade Gov. Chris Gregoire to veto a toxic toys bill. She should stand with parents and safety.
Gregoire should not bow to toy company threats Mar 28, 2008 TACOMA NEWS TRIBUNE: Toy companies, upset about a toxic toys bill sitting on the governor's desk, are threatening to take their lead-tainted and phthalate-laced balls and go home. Gov. Gregoire should let 'em.
With no federal changes to stop toxic toys, state lawmakers take action Jan 20, 2008 Tacoma News Tribune: A new bill has been submitted in Olympia that would ban such harmful substances as lead, cadmium and phthalates from children's products.
Test finds toxic metals, chemicals in hundreds of toys Dec 06, 2007 KOMOTV.com: News story that aired on KOMO4 TV covering the release of the online toy database at www.HealthyToys.org.
Bill to push ban on lead-tainted toys Dec 01, 2007 The Olympian
Testing Halloween Costumes for Lead Oct 12, 2007 KING5 TV: King5 TV piece on lead in Halloween costumes.
Call made for safer products Sep 28, 2007 Seattle PI: Seattle PI Article on Toy Testing event at the legislature on 9-27-07.
Protect our children from toxic toys Aug 23, 2007 Seattle Times: Seattle Times opinion piece on toxic toys written by Executive Director Gregg Small
Lead in kids jewelry prompts ban Aug 09, 2007 All Things Considered: A piece on NPR's All Things Considered about a ban on lead in kids' jewelry.
Recalls prompt parents to ask: is any toy safe? Aug 08, 2007 Seattle Times: Seattle Times article on latest lead toy recalls.
States and cities move to curb toxic substances the EPA hasn't May 07, 2007 USA Today: USA Today article on Washington state's legislation to eliminate toxic flame retardants called PBDEs
State gives green thumbs up Apr 23, 2007 Olympian: The state's environmental community secured passage of its four-pronged environmental agenda in the 2007 state Legislature, it's most successful session in recent memory.
Chemical ban puts industry on the defensive Apr 16, 2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Stung by the Legislature's groundbreaking ban of a controversial fire retardant, the chemical industry isn't giving up. Even with Gov. Chris Gregoire's approval all but assured -- she's scheduled to sign the legislation today -- it still didn't extinguish the chemical manufacturers' fight.
Limited ban placed on flame retardants Apr 03, 2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Washington became the first state in the nation Tuesday to ban the use of chemical flame retardants in some common household items.
PBDEs: They are everywhere, they accumulate and they spread Mar 28, 2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer: When Andrea Riseden-Perry nurses newborn Genoa, she knows she's providing her daughter vital proteins, nutrients and fats that can come only from a mother's milk. She also knows she's likely feeding her baby human-made chemical flame retardants.
Two sides square off in Olympia over proposed PBDE ban Mar 20, 2007 KING 5 News: We have shown you study after study of how certain forms of the fire retardant Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, are showing up in our state. Local groups found it in the breast milk of women, in the tissue of human bodies and in the dust in our homes.
House votes to phase out some fireproofing chemicals Feb 17, 2007 Seattle Times: After an emotionally charged debate, the House on Friday passed a measure that would phase out the use of some fireproofing chemicals in televisions, computers and upholstered furniture as long as safer alternatives are available.
Lawmakers seek ban on products containing toxins Feb 09, 2007 The Olympian: Many common household items, such as furniture, toys and electronics, contain dangerous chemicals.The chemicals are used because of their fire-retardant qualities, but they also can cause health problems, especially in children.
Flame retardant legislation based on science, thorough study Feb 08, 2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer: The Legislature is considering a bill to phase out a chemical flame retardant known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers. This family of chemicals is toxic, especially for kids, and it's everywhere.
State lawmakers seek to ban toxic chemical Feb 08, 2007 KOMO-TV.com News: Washington lawmakers are working on a bill to ban a toxic chemical that's present in a number of household items.It's called PBDE, and it makes household items like TVs, computers, and even children's pajamas flame resistant. But the chemical could also sicken people who simply breathe the air containing it.
New device may help ban PBDEs Feb 08, 2007 KING5.com News: A Washington group has acquired a device that detects the presence of toxic flame retardants, and hope to use it to change state laws.
Companies fight dirty for toxic product Feb 04, 2007 The News Tribune: Op-ed from the Tacoma News Tribune Feb. 4, 2007 about toxic flame retardants (PBDEs)
Ban Flame Retardants Jan 24, 2007 Olympian: Olympian editorial praising the environmental community for working together and calling on the 2007 Washington state Legislature to ban toxic flame retardants (PBDEs)
Fire Retardants: Ban this chemical Jan 19, 2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Amid the sea of insidious, invisible chemicals bathing the environment, there is a good place to start a new cleanup. The Legislature should ban most uses of one type of toxic fire retardants.
Twist in effort to ban fire retardant Jan 12, 2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer: As Washington moves to become the first state in the nation to ban a fire retardant found in mattresses, computers and furniture, lawmakers on Thursday accused the industry of putting up a smokescreen to stop the ban.
Tracking pollution's source: Chemical levels in Spokane River draw state's attention Jan 08, 2007 Spokesman Review: The waters of the Spokane River are some of the most toxic in Washington. Some of the trouble spills out of old mine sites in the river's headwaters in Idaho's Silver Valley. But scientists haven't yet found the source of all the heavy concentrations of flame retardants and long-banned industrial compounds that show up in Spokane River fish. (Spokesman Review)
Environmentalists optimistic Legislature will lend a hand Jan 06, 2007 The Olympian: Olympian article on PBDE bill in the 2007 Washington State Legislature.
School, council take stand against pesticides Dec 11, 2006 The Olympian: Two separate, but related, actions last week were noteworthy in achieving the goals of the Healthy Olympia Task Force, a group formed in January 2004 to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals in South Sound.
State's freshwater fish tainted, study says Sep 01, 2006 Seattle Post-Intelligencer: State's freshwater fish tainted, study saysChemical used in flame retardants (PBDEs) is culprit. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
Judge rejects Bush decision on pesticides Aug 25, 2006 Seattle Post-Intelligencer: A federal judge in Seattle rejected on Thursday a Bush administration decision to weaken rules governing pesticide use. He said the change reflected a "total lack" of scientific justification and that there were "disturbing indications" the administration deliberately muted dissent from government scientists. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

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