About Precaution

Washington State PBT Reduction Strategy

The state Department of Ecology developed this precedent-setting Proposed Strategy to Continually Reduce Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins (PBTs) in Washington State in 2000, which would reduce emissions and phase out targeted PBT chemicals. The agency then began working on chemical-specific action plans, and in 2004 the Governor issued a supportive Executive Order. In 2005, the agency issued draft PBT regulations for public comment.
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Washington State PBT Executive Order
This 2004 Governor’s Executive Order directs state agencies to continue to implement chemical action plans to phase out brominated flame retardants, mercury and other persistent toxic chemicals (PBT's), and provides emergency funding.
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Environmental Group’s Campaign Summary
This memo by the Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC) describes the statewide campaign to establish a state policy and programs to phase out PBT chemicals.
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Groups Support Governor’s Executive Order
This January 2004 News Release by groups in the Toxic Free Legacy Coalition commends the Governor for signing the PBT Executive Order directing the state agency to implement a mercury plan and start work on a flame retardants phase out plan.
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Legislature Restores Funds for PBT Program
This March 2004 News Release by WTC and WA Public Interest Research Group describes how groups succeeded in convincing the Legislature to restore funds ($325,000) for the Department of Ecology’s PBT phase out program.
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