A project of the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition: Breast Cancer Fund, Healthy Building Network, People For Puget Sound, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, Washington State Nurses Association, Washington Toxics Coalition, WashPIRG, and more than 40 other organizations working together to eliminate persistent toxic chemicals in Washington State. A Study of Toxic Chemicals in Washingtonians

The Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition and more than 40 other organizations in Washington State working together to eliminate persistent toxic chemicals

Study Participants Pam Tazioli Sen. Bill Finkbeiner Karen Bowman, RN Rev. Ann Holmes Redding Sen. Lisa Brown Laurie Valeriano Dr. Patricia Dawson Denis Hayes Allyson Schrier Deb Abrahamson

Chemicals Tested Phthalates PBDEs Heavy metals - lead, arsenic, and mercury PFCs (perfluorinated compounds) Pesticides DDT & PCBs

Phthalates

PBDEs

Heavy Metals

PFCs

Pesticides

DDT/PCBs

Toxic pollution in the people of Washington is widespread and unavoidable Participants had from 26 to 39 toxic chemicals What We Found

Toxic Chemicals Found

PFOA Exposure

Presence of Pesticides

Phthalates - DEHP Exposure

PCB Exposures

PBDE (Toxic Flame Retardant) Levels

Mercury Levels

Cause for Concern? At or near harmful levels Multiple exposures Timing of exposure We know enough to act

The System is Broken Data Gap Safety Gap Technology Gap Responsibility Gap

Data Gap Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 Encourage and require industry to develop adequate data on the health and environmental effects of chemicals.

Data Gap: Few of Highest Volume Chemicals Tested 7% Full Set of Basic Toxicity Tests

Safety Gap: For EPA to Act Prove it! Weigh Costs/Benefits Action

Technology Gap

Companies Moving Forward Kaiser Permanente: reducing reliance on carcinogens, reproductive toxicants Herman Miller: zero hazardous waste, emissions by 2020; using safer materials Dell: phased out PBDEs, chemical use policy Cascadian Farm: now leading processor The Body Shop: eliminating phthalates

Current State Action Washington’s PBT Program –Limited number of chemicals –Lengthy process to develop Chemical Action Plans –Phase outs or bans require legislative action –No process to assess chemicals prior to release into the marketplace and our environment

What’s going wrong? Washington state - highest rates of breast cancer Childhood brain cancer on the rise 17% of school-aged children have learning disabilities

Costs of Environmental Diseases from “Economic Costs of Diseases and Disabilities Attributable to Environmental Contaminants in Washington State” July 2005 by Kate Davies, Antioch University Childhood Diseases Best Estimate - Proportion of Disease Attributable to Environmental Contaminants Asthma Cancer Lead Exposure Birth Defects Neurobehavioral Disorders 30% 5% 100% 2.5% 10%

Costs of Environmental Diseases in 2004 dollars, see Kate Davies’ study online at Conclusions from the WA state economic study… $1.9 billion = annual cost of these 5 childhood diseases attributable to environmental contaminants If adult and childhood costs are combined, total = $2.7 billion annually this accounts for almost 5% of total health expenditures in Washington state

A Better Way for Washington A Three-pronged Approach Close Data Gaps: Require companies to come clean with the facts about the chemicals they use; Close Safety Gap: Prohibit harmful chemicals in products and manufacturing; and, Close Technology Gap: Invest in research and assistance for businesses to switch to the safest chemicals. Responsibility Gap: We all must accept an ethical duty to future generations

Learn more from our web site link Complete report online and in pdf format Participant profiles Toxic Chemicals: how you’re exposed & health effects Safer Alternatives for Food and Consumer Products Ways to Take Action

We Can Do It—Together!