Oregon, DEQ Delivers Priority Toxics List to Legislature

[Guest guest]

News Release

June 1, 2009

 

Contacts:

Christine Svetkovich, Water Quality Program, Portland, (503) 229-5046

 

DEQ Delivers Priority Toxics List to Legislature

 

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality presented to the

Legislature Monday a list of priority persistent pollutants that come from a

wide

variety of sources but have a documented effect on human health, wildlife and

aquatic habitat. The list of 140 toxic pollutants focuses on those that may

be found in the state’s rivers and streams and is part of DEQ’s overall

strategy to identify and reduce toxics in the environment.

 

 

 

DEQ divided the list of 140 pollutants into three categories:

 

· Tier One pollutants (comprising 51 in the list) are those

substances that are toxic and either persist in the environment or accumulate

in

the tissues of humans, fish, wildlife or plants. These include flame

retardants, pesticide and herbicide ingredients, pharmaceuticals, ingredients

in

personal care products, metals and industrial chemicals.

 

· Tier Two or “legacy†pollutants (46) include substances that

have been banned or restricted for years but remain at detectable levels in

sediment and tissue samples. These include dioxins produced by industrial

processes, PCBs used for cooling electrical systems, and various pesticides

including Chlordane, DDT and Dieldrin.

 

· Tier Three pollutants (43) are persistent pollutants that DEQ

considers “under review.†These include substances that some members of the

public question as meeting the definition of a persistent pollutant.

Pollutants in this category include synthetic pesticides and insect repellents,

substances used in cosmetics, plasticizers and antioxidizers. DEQ will study

the Tier Three pollutants through September before determining if they

should be included in the final list.

 

 

 

The 2007 Legislature, led by State Sen. Vicki Walker (D-Eugene), directed

DEQ to compile the list to help guide the agency’s pollution prevention

efforts. The interim final list is available on DEQ’s website at

_http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/SB737_ (http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/SB737) and

is the

result of extensive public input and scientific review. After DEQ completes

the final list of pollutants this fall, it will work to identify sources of

the pollutants and ways to reduce the amount that ends up in Oregon’s

waters.

 

 

 

“This is the first step in a long but necessary process to identify the

many toxic pollutants in Oregon’s waterways,†said Sen. Walker. “This

list

will help municipalities and all Oregonians work together to ensure clean

water for our citizens and our children for years to come.â€

 

 

 

“Senate Bill 737 is a long-overdue look at the many long-lasting or

bioaccumulative toxic chemicals in our waters,†said Antone Minthorn,

chairman of

the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Board of

Trustees. “For too long we have simply not paid attention to the fact that

these

toxic chemicals are accumulating in our fish and in people who eat fish.

Refusing to acknowledge this problem does not make it any less real. SB 737

is the first step in responsibly recognizing the risks these toxic chemicals

pose to Oregon waters and to Oregonians.â€

 

 

 

All of the pollutants on the list have potential to cause harm to aquatic

life if they get into the water. Some are known carcinogens and others

affect human development. The list includes both well-studied pollutants that

people have worked for a long time to reduce, such as PCBs and DDT, and also

pollutants for which specific data are lacking but the data that are

available indicate their potential to cause harm to people and the environment,

such as certain ingredients in personal care products.

 

 

 

To create this list, DEQ followed an extensive public process, including

convening a work group of seven scientific experts in such fields as

toxicology and hydrology. A statewide public outreach effort in March yielded

dozens of comments on the draft list. DEQ also coordinated its efforts

extensively with state and federal agencies, tribal nations, municipal

organizations, environmental groups, municipal treatment plants and industry

representatives.

 

 

 

After establishing an official list this fall, DEQ will identify sources

of pollutants and, in late 2009 and early 2010, examine ways to reduce the

amount that reaches Oregon’s waters. DEQ will evaluate this information and

detail its findings in a report due to the Legislature on June 1, 2010.

Oregon’s 52 largest municipal wastewater treatment plants will develop toxic

reduction plans by July 2011 to reduce persistent pollutants occurring in

their effluent at levels above “trigger levels†set by DEQ. Municipalities

involved in these efforts are funding this initial work and have been

working closely with DEQ throughout the process.

 

 

 

“Oregon’s wastewater utilities are leading the way in focusing on

pollution prevention as the most effective tool to reduce toxics,†said Susie

Smith, City of Springfield Public Works Director and chair of the Oregon

Association of Clean Water Agencies. “Oregon’s wastewater utilities will

continue to partner with others to focus attention on toxics in Oregon’s

rivers

and streams. All Oregonians will need to work together to make choices that

will reduce toxics,†she said.

 

 

 

“This list of priority persistent pollutants helps focus our water

pollution reduction efforts,†said DEQ Director Dick Pedersen. “The next

important step will be to identify the sources of these toxics. That’s where

Oregonians can help, since many of these chemicals result from manufactured

goods

we use and consume, and from choices we make every day in our lives.â€

 

DEQ is a leader

in restoring, maintaining

and enhancing

the quality of Oregon’s air,

land and water.

 

Celebrating 150 years of Oregon statehood, 1859 - 2009,

and 40 years of DEQ’s environmental stewardship, 1969 - 2009

_http://www.deq.state.or.us/news/prDisplay.asp?docID=2985_

(http://www.deq.state.or.us/news/prDisplay.asp?docID=2985)

 

 

posted by

Deborah Elaine Barrie

4 Catherine Street

Smiths Falls, On

Canada

K7A 3Z8

(613)284-8259

_deborah_ (deborah)

_http://www.noccawood.ca_ (http://www.noccawood.ca/)

to list service at website

 

_http://twitter.com/deborahbarrie_ (http://twitter.com/deborahbarrie)

get enviro tips daily at _http://www.authornation.com/shedances_

(http://www.authornation.com/shedances)

 

What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world

remains and is immortal.

Albert Pine