Gov. Gregoire applauds EPA agreement with manufacturers to phase out toxic Deca in products

For Immediate Release: December 21, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency agreement with three large chemical manufacturers to phase out production of the toxic flame retardant Decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca). Deca is heavily used in electronics, furniture, textiles and cable insulation and is known to cause reproductive harm and impair child development:

�This action by EPA and three global chemical companies demonstrates that we in Washington state were right when we took decisive action in 2008 to protect our residents � and future generations � from Deca. Our Legislature passed, and I signed, the first law in the nation banning the sale of household products that contain Deca in favor of those containing safer flame retardants. Since then, several other states have banned the sale of products containing Deca.

�Eliminating this chemical will save health care costs and avoid expensive environmental cleanups. But we can�t keep dealing with toxic contamination after the fact. Like President Obama, I urge Congress to modernize federal chemical law to ensure that before chemicals are used in widespread commerce, we know they are safe for people and the environment. Our citizens have a right to expect that if it�s on the shelf, it�s safe to take home.�

EPA announced last week it had reached agreement with Chemtura Corp., Albemarle Corp. and ICL Industrial Products to end production, importation and use of Deca in most consumer products by December 2012. A full ban will take effect one year later.

Last week, legislation was introduced in the federal House of Representatives to ban Deca in all products, including those designed for children, by the end of 2013.