April 20, 2005 -- Press Release: SB 962 Passes Senate
For Immediate Release:
April 20, 2005
For more information:
Matt Blevins, Oregon Environmental Council, (503) 819-9375
Angela Crowley-Koch, Physicians for Social Responsibility, (503) 274-2720
Rhett Lawrence, OSPIRG, (503) 231-4181 x313
Salem - A broad coalition of health, environmental and children's advocates lauded the Senate passage of SB 962, which bans two forms of toxic flame retardants (pentaBDE and octaBDE) and instructs the Oregon Health Department to recommend a ban of a third form (decaBDE) if safer alternatives are nationally available. While the final bill falls short of the original intent of the legislation, its passage is an important first step and provides an opportunity for the House to strengthen the legislation and fully protect Oregonians.
"It is heartening that the Senate has taken this first step to reduce the threat of these toxic chemicals that are widespread and is showing up in women's breast milk," said Maye Thompson, RN with the Oregon Nurses Association.
Certain chemical additives (PBDEs) have been used for years to reduce the flammability of everyday items, such as computer casings, carpet pads and foam cushions in chairs and couches. Unfortunately, these additives are rapidly building up in the food chain, wildlife and people here in Oregon. A 2004 analysis of PBDEs in the breast milk of 10 Oregon women found levels twice as high as the average levels found in women from the Pacific Northwest as a whole, and 20 to 40 times higher than those found in Japanese and Swedish women. Recent studies also found surprisingly high levels of PBDEs in Oregon salmon, both farmed and wild. These chemicals are also showing up in other wildlife, including orcas in Puget Sound and seals from San Francisco Bay. Likely routes of exposure are via dust, food, air deposition, occupation and diet.
Health concerns from low level exposure to these toxins--particularly for developing infants--include impacts on brain development, critical hormone function, memory, learning, and behavior.
Several companies have already found safer alternatives to these flame retardants, with no reduction in fire safety. "â¬ÅIt is time to move away from the use of these chemicals altogether, particularly since viable alternatives exist," said Matt Blevins, Program Director with Oregon Environmental Council "We know that when we stop using these chemicals, levels in our bodies go down." There are three forms of PBDEs that are most commonly used in consumer products -- pentaBDE, octaBDE and decaBDE. All three forms have been found in human breast milk and wildlife.
"â¬ÅReducing exposure to these harmful chemicals now will save money in health care and special education costs later," said Catherine Thomasson, MD, and board president of Physicians for Social Responsibility.
SB 962 will move to the Oregon House for consideration soon, where health, environmental and children's advocates hope this step forward will be strengthened with a phase-out of all three chemicals.
SB 962 bill is supported by a broad coalition of organizations, including:
April 20, 2005
For more information:
Matt Blevins, Oregon Environmental Council, (503) 819-9375
Angela Crowley-Koch, Physicians for Social Responsibility, (503) 274-2720
Rhett Lawrence, OSPIRG, (503) 231-4181 x313
Health, Environmental and
Children's Coalition Lauds Senate Action to Reduce Toxic Flame
Retardants and Urges House to Strengthen Legislation
Salem - A broad coalition of health, environmental and children's advocates lauded the Senate passage of SB 962, which bans two forms of toxic flame retardants (pentaBDE and octaBDE) and instructs the Oregon Health Department to recommend a ban of a third form (decaBDE) if safer alternatives are nationally available. While the final bill falls short of the original intent of the legislation, its passage is an important first step and provides an opportunity for the House to strengthen the legislation and fully protect Oregonians.
"It is heartening that the Senate has taken this first step to reduce the threat of these toxic chemicals that are widespread and is showing up in women's breast milk," said Maye Thompson, RN with the Oregon Nurses Association.
Certain chemical additives (PBDEs) have been used for years to reduce the flammability of everyday items, such as computer casings, carpet pads and foam cushions in chairs and couches. Unfortunately, these additives are rapidly building up in the food chain, wildlife and people here in Oregon. A 2004 analysis of PBDEs in the breast milk of 10 Oregon women found levels twice as high as the average levels found in women from the Pacific Northwest as a whole, and 20 to 40 times higher than those found in Japanese and Swedish women. Recent studies also found surprisingly high levels of PBDEs in Oregon salmon, both farmed and wild. These chemicals are also showing up in other wildlife, including orcas in Puget Sound and seals from San Francisco Bay. Likely routes of exposure are via dust, food, air deposition, occupation and diet.
Health concerns from low level exposure to these toxins--particularly for developing infants--include impacts on brain development, critical hormone function, memory, learning, and behavior.
Several companies have already found safer alternatives to these flame retardants, with no reduction in fire safety. "â¬ÅIt is time to move away from the use of these chemicals altogether, particularly since viable alternatives exist," said Matt Blevins, Program Director with Oregon Environmental Council "We know that when we stop using these chemicals, levels in our bodies go down." There are three forms of PBDEs that are most commonly used in consumer products -- pentaBDE, octaBDE and decaBDE. All three forms have been found in human breast milk and wildlife.
"â¬ÅReducing exposure to these harmful chemicals now will save money in health care and special education costs later," said Catherine Thomasson, MD, and board president of Physicians for Social Responsibility.
SB 962 will move to the Oregon House for consideration soon, where health, environmental and children's advocates hope this step forward will be strengthened with a phase-out of all three chemicals.
SB 962 bill is supported by a broad coalition of organizations, including:
- Oregon Pediatric Society
- Oregon Academy of Family Physicians
- Oregon Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Association
- Oregon Nurses Association
- Nurse Practitioners of Oregon
- Medical Society of Metropolitan Portland
- Physicians for Social Responsibility, Oregon Chapter
- Oregon Environmental Council
- Oregon Learning Disabilities Association
- Oregon Council Trout Unlimited
- Oregon State Public Interest Research Group
- Oregon Center for Environmental Health
- Sierra Club, Oregon Chapter
- Oregon Developmental Disabilities Coalition
- The Oregon Family Action Coalition Team (FACT)
- Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
- March of Dimes, Oregon Chapter
- Oregon Parent Teacher Association
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