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Toward a Toxic-Free Future
compiled by Brandie Smith, Washington Toxics Coalition
Seattle's Ground-Breaking Toxics Resolution
This July the Seattle City Council, with the support of Mayor Greg
Nickels, unanimously resolved to stop buying products that result in
persistent toxic chemicals. This resolution is the first of its kind
in the nation and will help pave the way for similar action across the
state and country. The resolution, introduced by City Councilwoman
Heidi Wills, instructs the city to purchase products that do not
result in persistent toxic pollution. The Office of Sustainability and
Environment (OSE) must conduct an inventory of persistent products
purchased by the city. Examples of such products include
chlorine-bleached paper, pentachlorophenol treated utility poles,
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic used in building materials and office
supplies and mercury auto switches. These products result in dioxin
and mercury pollution that lingers in the food chain and our bodies
causing health problems. Then the OSE must come up with a plan to
phase out the purchase of such products. OSE must report back to the
City Council this October.
Martha Stewart Demo at Kmart
On July 11, 2002 environmental groups around the country, including
the Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC), participated in a day of
protest against Martha Stewart's use of PVC plastic products and
packaging in her EverydayTM line sold at Kmart. Other companies such
as Nike, IKEA, the Body Shop, and Victoria's Secret have already
agreed to take PVC out of their product lines. The production of PVC
and its disposal in garbage incinerators results in persistent toxic
pollution, primarily dioxin. Dioxin is among the most dangerous
synthetic chemicals and can cause serious health effects ranging from
learning disabilities to cancer. PVC (#3 plastic) cannot be easily
recycled because its high chlorine content contaminates the recycling
of other plastics such as the most popular plastic bottle,
polyethylene (#1 plastic). One PVC bottle mixed with 50,000
polyethylene bottles can contaminate a whole batch and render it
unusable. Since March, consumers from around the country have sent
more than 12,000 e-mails and faxes to Stewart, and more than 10,000
postcards have been distributed to be sent to her headquarters in New
York City.
Mercury Action Plan
In 1998, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) released a visionary
policy to phase out mercury, dioxin, and other persistent pollutants.
As part of the plan, Ecology has targeted mercury as the first
pollutant for action. At the end of August, Ecology was scheduled to
release a draft of its Mercury Chemical Action Plan. Environmental and
health advocates for the plan include the WTC, WashPIRG, People for
Puget Sound, and Physicians for Social Responsibility. Industry
representatives, who allied against a mercury bill in the 2002
legislative session, included the Association of Washington
Businesses, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, and the American
Chemistry Council. Now is the time for the public to tell Ecology to
issue a strong Mercury Chemical Action Plan to protect human health
and the environment from mercury pollution.
People have the power to reduce and eliminate this pollution from our
lives and the lives of future generations. We have the power as
consumers to buy alternative products that do not result in persistent
toxic pollution. We have the power as voters to tell our legislators
to pass laws, such as the upcoming mercury legislation, that protect
public health and the environment. We have the power as concerned
citizens to educate our friends, family, and neighbors about these
issues. Now is the time to harness that power and work toward
creating a healthy, toxic-free future.
To find out more about persistent pollution and to send a sample
letter to send to Ecology urging a strong chemical action plan, visit
the WTC at www.watoxics.org.
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