:Victory!! Washington Legislature Bans PBDEs

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Washington Toxics CoalitionI thought this might be good news of interest to you

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Washington State Bans Toxic Flame Retardants!

 

 

 

Senate passes the bill 41-8!

 

 

 

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 will now go to the Governor's desk where, it is expected, she will sign it

into law.

 

 

A huge thanks to everyone who has written letters, made phone calls,

attended meetings, and supported Washington Toxics Coalition over the past three

years. We couldn't have won this huge victory without you!

 

 

Call and Thank Your Legislators Today!

 

Please call and thank your legislators who voted for the bill as they

stood up to intense bromine industry pressure to pass this historic law to

protect children's health.

 

Call 1-800-562-6000 to leave a message for your legislators that voted for

the bill.

 

See how your legislator voted here

 

Not sure who your legislators are? Go here and click on " Find Your

District " at the top of the page.

 

 

 

Basic Message:

 

" Thank you for protecting children's health and the environment by voting

yes on ESHB 1024 to eliminate toxic flame retardants. "

 

 

 

Background Info:

Common household products such as televisions, computers, furniture, and

carpeting needlessly expose our children to chemicals known as toxic flame

retardants or PBDEs. Very similar to the now banned PCBs, these chemicals leach

out of products and are rapidly increasing in mother's milk, orca whales, and

our bodies. It is past time to safeguard our homes and the environment from

exposure to these hazardous chemicals in our consumer products, especially where

safer alternatives that meet fire safety standards are widely available.

 

We are joined by a broad coalition of organizations including the

Washington State Nurses Association and the Washington State Association of Fire

Chiefs, to support this legislation to eliminate PBDEs.

 

 

Read the press release about the bill passing the Senate here

See how your legislator voted here

Learn more about the PBDE legislation here

 

For more information;

 

Contact Jim Dawson at jdawson or 206-632-1545 ext. 120

 

 

 

 

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Washington Toxics Coalition

Phone:

4649 Sunnyside Avenue N., Suite 540

Seattle, WA 98103

E-mail: jdawson

http://www.watoxics.org

 

**The Washington Toxics Coalition is a non-profit membership-based

organization dedicated to protecting human health by preventing pollution in

industry, agriculture, schools, and the home. If you are not already a member,

please consider joining! Dues are $35 per year. Members receive our quarterly

newsletter and periodic action alerts.

 

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