Toxics like lead, mercury and dioxin are harmful to our health and our environment, and cost the state millions of dollars to clean up. In the last two years alone, Washington state spent approximately $9 million cleaning up toxic waste sites contaminated by toxic chemicals.

Washington state has a program to phase out emissions of these chemicals. However, the Legislature eliminated funding for the program in this year's budget, leaving efforts to phase out these toxics in jeopardy.

What's Happening Now:
The Legislature cut funding for Washington's program to phase out some of the worst toxic chemicals. Read the news release.

In Depth:
Toxic Free Future Fact Sheet

Reports:
Cleanup Slowdown: How Under-Funding The Superfund Program Harms Communities Across America 8/7/03

Fishing for Trouble: How Toxic Mercury Contaminates Our Waterways and Threatens Recreational Fishing 6/5/03

Toxic Releases and Health: A Review of Pollution Data and Current Knowledge on the Health Effects of Toxic Chemicals 1/22/03

Reel Trouble: How Washington's Fish Advisory Program Fails To Protect Consumers From Toxic Fish 11/26/02

The Toxic State Of Washington: Our Health And Environment At Risk (PDF)

Recent News:
Senate Passes Groundbreaking Producer Responsibility Bill 3/16/05

State urges ban on group of fire-retardants 1/6/05

PCB levels result in fish warning 9/1/04

Environmental Groups Reach Agreement With The Oeser Company Over Clean Water Act Violations 11/13/03

Superfund Cleanups in Washington Could Be Compromised 8/7/03

Mercury Making Washington And Nation's Fish Unsafe To Eat 6/5/03

State Budget Leaders Fail to Protect Public Health From Toxic Pollution 6/4/03

Gov. Locke Signs Bill to Protect Children From Mercury 5/14/03

Senate Passes Bill to Protect Children's Health From Mercury 4/18/03

Public Health and Environmental Advocates Urge Senate Leaders To Take Action To Reduce Mercury Pollution 4/8/03

WashPIRG Files Suit To Stop Incineration Of Thousands Of Tons of Chemical Weapons 3/11/03

Washington Nationally Ranked For Emission Rates Of Dioxin And Other Chemicals 1/22/03

Public Health And Environmental Advocates Criticize Ecology's Draft Plan For Mercury Pollution 9/13/02

Legislature Fails To Pass Bill To Reduce Mercury Pollution 2/27/02

Broad Coalition Unites To Support Mercury Reduction Bill 1/22/02