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Department of Ecology News Release - June 18, 2008
08-171
OLYMPIA – This summer, if you pass someone wading into a stream for a sample, or hanging from a bridge to install a stream gauge, or scrambling along a road loaded down with equipment, you may be seeing a Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) scientist at work.
Ecology scientists are now in the field across the state through October conducting environmental monitoring for a number of toxic chemicals. This year – for the first-time ever – they will collect samples of water, fish, and even osprey eggs, to test for the presence of persistent perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs).
One of Ecology’s strategic priorities is reducing toxic threats in the environment, with particular concern for children. Pound for pound, children are more vulnerable than adults to harm from toxic chemicals.
Scientists know very little about PFC levels in Washington. These chemicals are very resistant to breaking down in the environment (persist) and get into the food chain (bioaccumulate). PFCs share similar characteristics to DDT and PCBs, toxic chemicals banned decades ago, in that they are very persistent, appear to be widely dispersed in our environment and are found in human blood. While industries are phasing out the use of some PFCs, they remain a concern and are still on the state’s list of worst chemicals.
One widely used PFC, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), is used to manufacture fluoropolymers that provide water and fire-resistant coatings for products such as non-stick cookware and outdoor clothing. Another PFC, known as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), was widely used in similar applications, but is now used primarily in semiconductor manufacturing. Ecology is also concerned that some PFCs can breakdown into PFOA.
“Even though industries may be taking steps to reduce the persistent chemicals they use and release to the environment, we need to know right now what levels are out there in our state so we can assess the seriousness of the problem and determine what other actions might be necessary,” said Rob Duff, who manages Ecology’s science wing, its Environmental Assessment Program. “Monitoring now is important because it helps us get out in front and establish a baseline to see if levels will go down later.”
Persistent chemicals in the food chain are a growing concern for the state. These chemicals are pervasive in consumer products, food, and industrial pollution. They are in our air, water, soil, and wildlife. And, they are showing up in people where they can lead to health problems.
Ecology’s field monitoring provides the foundation for the state’s strategies to prevent, cleanup and manage “persistent, bioaccumulative toxic” (PBT) chemicals. The monitoring work informs decisions about the need for fish-consumption advisories, identifies polluted waters and helps the state prioritize efforts to clean up contaminants.
In support of Ecology’s strategy to reduce toxic threats, the state Legislature made a historic move by banning a persistent flame retardant in 2007. The ban takes effect as soon as a safer alternative is available. Ecology expects to report on an alternative later this year. The move was based upon information and recommendations in Ecology’s chemical action plan for a family of these flame retardants.
Ecology also has chemical action plans in place for mercury and will soon have a plan for lead. Washington has prevented more than 12,000 pounds of mercury from entering the environment in the state over the past five years, thanks to the combined efforts of businesses, schools, trade associations, local governments, nongovernmental organizations, and volunteers.
By late 2011, Ecology expects to have a chemical action plan targeting key members of the PFC chemical family, such as PFOS.
Scientists will study osprey eggs in the lower Columbia River below Bonneville Dam for early warning signs of problems with PFCs in Washington. Scientists have studied osprey populations here since the 1960s when bird populations declined due to DDT. Ospreys are a good indicator for toxic substances because they feed on fish near their nests.
Ecology’s partners in the osprey egg monitoring effort include the U.S. Geological Survey and Environmental Protection Agency.
In addition to looking for PFCs, Ecology scientists this season will collect fish samples to test for PCBs, dioxin, mercury, flame retardants and pesticides. They will analyze sediments for mercury and lead and will also test fish for toxic algae contamination.
Follow this link for a list of sites, by county, Ecology scientists will monitor in 2008: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/toxics/docs/toxmonsites2008forweb.pdf
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Media Contact: Sandy Howard, 360-407-6408; cell 360-791-3177; srud461@ecy.wa.gov
For more information:
Ecology's PBT Initiative:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/pbt/
Environmental Toxics Monitoring:
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/toxics/index.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
