Toxins and Pollution

Reducing the use of toxic chemicals is essential for cleaner water, air and food. We push our lawmakers to create strong policies that protect the health of people and the environment.

Support for the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act (March 31, 2021)

PCC submitted a letter to the Washington State legislature’s House Appropriations Committee expressing support for the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, which would address health impacts from pollution and climate change.

PCC submitted a letter to the Washington State legislature’s House Appropriations Committee expressing support for the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, which would address health impacts from pollution and climate change.

Comments on Proposed Food Safety Rule (September 29, 2020)

PCC submitted comments on the Washington State Department of Health’s (DOH) final proposed rule for updates to the Food Safety Code, expressing overall support for DOH’s efforts but also continuing to push for expanded refillable container options.

PCC submitted comments on the Washington State Department of Health’s (DOH) final proposed rule for updates to the Food Safety Code, expressing overall support for DOH’s efforts but also continuing to push for expanded refillable container options.

Support for Pesticide Regulation Reform (July 27, 2020)

PCC endorsed the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act of 2020 (PACTPA), which would provide much needed improvements to existing pesticide laws and regulations to better protect people and the environment.

PCC endorsed the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act of 2020 (PACTPA), which would provide much needed improvements to existing pesticide laws and regulations to better protect people and the environment.

Comments on WA Single-Use Food Service Products Bill (January 27, 2020)

PCC submitted comments to the Washington State House Environment and Energy Committee on the single-use food service products legislation, expressing support of the overall goals and providing specific feedback on how to improve the bill should it pass.

PCC submitted comments to the Washington State House Environment and Energy Committee on the single-use food service products legislation, expressing support of the overall goals and providing specific feedback on how to improve the bill should it pass.

Proposed Changes to WA State Food Safety Rules (August 8, 2019)

PCC provided a first round of comments to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), asking to expand options for consumers to use their own, reusable containers in food establishments.

PCC provided a first round of comments to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), asking to expand options for consumers to use their own, reusable containers in food establishments.

Reducing Washington’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions (January 31, 2019)

PCC submitted a letter to the Washington State Environment and Energy Committee on January 31, 2019 to express our support for HB 1113, an act to amend the state greenhouse gas emission limits.

PCC submitted a letter to the Washington State Environment and Energy Committee on January 31, 2019 to express our support for HB 1113, an act to amend the state greenhouse gas emission limits.

Supporting the Pollution Prevention for Our Futures Act (January 24, 2019)

PCC is serious about getting toxic chemicals out of consumer products, which is why on January 24, 2019, we submitted a letter of support for the Pollution Prevention for Our Futures Act.

PCC is serious about getting toxic chemicals out of consumer products, which is why on January 24, 2019, we submitted a letter of support for the Pollution Prevention for Our Futures Act.

Asking the NOSB to consider impacts of oil and gas fracking (October 1, 2018)

PCC signed onto a joint letter asking the NOSB to consider decertification of organic farms and use of prohibited substances in fracking operations to its work agenda.

PCC signed onto a joint letter asking the NOSB to consider decertification of organic farms and use of prohibited substances in fracking operations to its work agenda.

PCC Supports Initiative-1631 (September 21, 2018)

PCC supports Washington state Initiative 1631, which establishes a fee on carbon emissions and invests in clean air, clean water, and a healthier environment.

PCC supports Washington state Initiative 1631, which establishes a fee on carbon emissions and invests in clean air, clean water, and a healthier environment.

Glider kits harm public health (January 5, 2018)

PCC opposes reopening a loophole that puts new frames over dirty old engines to circumvent pollution standards. These super-polluting engines emit harmful soot and pollutants.

PCC opposes reopening a loophole that puts new frames over dirty old engines to circumvent pollution standards. These super-polluting engines emit harmful soot and pollutants.

PCC opposes the Bayer-Monsanto merger (May 9, 2017)

Amidst heavy industry consolidation, PCC requests the Antitrust Division of DOJ conduct a thorough investigation and analysis of the Bayer-Monsanto merger.

Amidst heavy industry consolidation, PCC requests the Antitrust Division of DOJ conduct a thorough investigation and analysis of the Bayer-Monsanto merger.

Hydroponics and Bisphenol-A (BPA) in packaging (March 29, 2017)

PCC supports the National Organic Standards Board vote to prohibit hydroponics. We also ask it to prohibit BPA as a food contact substance in organic food packaging.

PCC supports the National Organic Standards Board vote to prohibit hydroponics. We also ask it to prohibit BPA as a food contact substance in organic food packaging.

Letter to DOJ opposes agriculture megamergers (February 13, 2017)

PCC asks the DOJ to investigate three proposed seed company mergers: Dow and DuPont, Bayer and Monsanto, and Syngenta and ChemChina.

PCC asks the DOJ to investigate three proposed seed company mergers: Dow and DuPont, Bayer and Monsanto, and Syngenta and ChemChina.

Perfluorinated additives in food packaging (February 2, 2017)

PCC provides testimony to Washington State House Environmental Committee in support of a bill to restrict perfluorinated chemicals in food packaging.

PCC provides testimony to Washington State House Environmental Committee in support of a bill to restrict perfluorinated chemicals in food packaging.

Working together to reduce cadmium in chocolate (April 28, 2015)

PCC proposes dialogue in the chocolate industry to address cadmium and lead contamination. As You Sow names Theo, Equal Exchange, and Green & Black's chocolate brands as high in cadmium.

PCC proposes dialogue in the chocolate industry to address cadmium and lead contamination. As You Sow names Theo, Equal Exchange, and Green & Black's chocolate brands as high in cadmium.

Letter to the Seattle schools superintendent (December 4, 2014)

This joint letter urges Seattle's school district to implement all components of its Integrated Pest Management program, approved in 2012.

This joint letter urges Seattle's school district to implement all components of its Integrated Pest Management program, approved in 2012.

“Natural flavors” in organic (October 20, 2014)

PCC supports OTA's proposal to revise the language of "natural flavors" in organics and remove lignin sulfonate from the National List. Lignin sulfonate is a post-harvest floating agent for pears.

PCC supports OTA's proposal to revise the language of "natural flavors" in organics and remove lignin sulfonate from the National List. Lignin sulfonate is a post-harvest floating agent for pears.

Keep bisphenols, glyphosate, GE out of organic (October 7, 2014)

Comments to National Organic Standards Board: seed purity research, BPA/PBS in packaging, glyphosate in compost, GMO contamination, changes to Sunset Provision, and gellan gum.

Comments to National Organic Standards Board: seed purity research, BPA/PBS in packaging, glyphosate in compost, GMO contamination, changes to Sunset Provision, and gellan gum.

PCC opposes USDA changes to Sunset Provision (September 23, 2014)

This letter asks the Congressional Organic Caucus to urge USDA to reverse changes to the Sunset Provision that make it easier to use synthetics in organic food.

This letter asks the Congressional Organic Caucus to urge USDA to reverse changes to the Sunset Provision that make it easier to use synthetics in organic food.

Reverse changes to organic Sunset Provision (June 10, 2014)

PCC opposes USDA's changes to the Sunset Provision. They make it easier for synthetics to be allowed and harder to remove them from organic products.

PCC opposes USDA's changes to the Sunset Provision. They make it easier for synthetics to be allowed and harder to remove them from organic products.

PCC supports Saving America’s Pollinators Act (July 19, 2013)

PCC joins the Center for Food Safety in endorsing the Saving America's Pollinators Act of 2013. It would reduce use of bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides.

PCC joins the Center for Food Safety in endorsing the Saving America's Pollinators Act of 2013. It would reduce use of bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides.

Interim Rule on nutrient vitamins and minerals (December 26, 2012)

PCC submits results of our shopper survey to NOSB. Data shows shoppers do not support a loophole that allows non-essential, synthetic "nutrients" in organic foods.

PCC submits results of our shopper survey to NOSB. Data shows shoppers do not support a loophole that allows non-essential, synthetic "nutrients" in organic foods.

The EPA should ban atrazine (November 12, 2011)

EPA needs to ban the herbicide atrazine. It's linked to hormonal disruption and birth defects and poses unreasonable environmental risks.

EPA needs to ban the herbicide atrazine. It's linked to hormonal disruption and birth defects and poses unreasonable environmental risks.

Food Safety Modernization Act (October 5, 2010)

This act needs amending to protect small-scale producers from unnecessary, burdensome regulations. Most incidents of contamination are in industrialized supply chains.

This act needs amending to protect small-scale producers from unnecessary, burdensome regulations. Most incidents of contamination are in industrialized supply chains.

Food Safety Modernization Act (May 3, 2010)

PCC joins a coalition letter to the U.S. Senate, urging amendments to improve food safety without handicapping small-scale food producers.

PCC joins a coalition letter to the U.S. Senate, urging amendments to improve food safety without handicapping small-scale food producers.

Use of sodium lactate in organic products (December 7, 2009)

Sodium lactate is not allowed in foods labeled "natural" and allowing it in organic food makes no sense. We ask NOSB to review.

Sodium lactate is not allowed in foods labeled "natural" and allowing it in organic food makes no sense. We ask NOSB to review.

Proposed revisions to Food Safety Modernization Act (November 16, 2009)

In its current form, this bill could have hurt family farms, regional food systems, organic farming, and conservation efforts. Our coalition recommends remedies.

In its current form, this bill could have hurt family farms, regional food systems, organic farming, and conservation efforts. Our coalition recommends remedies.

FDA approves irradiation for spinach and lettuce (September 23, 2008)

Irradiation reduces nutrient value and food quality and can create chemical byproducts. Irradiation doesn't address or remove contaminants or food-borne pathogens.

Irradiation reduces nutrient value and food quality and can create chemical byproducts. Irradiation doesn't address or remove contaminants or food-borne pathogens.

Restore USDA pesticide data collection (August 18, 2008)

The National Agricultural Statistics Service is the only free and publicly available data on agricultural chemical use. It's an invaluable tool for researchers to obtain neutral information.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service is the only free and publicly available data on agricultural chemical use. It's an invaluable tool for researchers to obtain neutral information.

Phase out toxic fumigants (September 1, 2007)

PCC and other groups urge EPA to phase out toxic fumigants that harm farmworkers' health and the environment.

PCC and other groups urge EPA to phase out toxic fumigants that harm farmworkers' health and the environment.

Assess farmworkers’ pesticide exposure (March 1, 2007)

The Governor and legislature should support measuring pesticide exposure among farm workers and their families.

The Governor and legislature should support measuring pesticide exposure among farm workers and their families.

Impact of pesticides on salmonids (January 31, 2005)

Thirteen pesticides exceed levels established to protect aquatic life, others are detected at levels shown by scientific criteria to be harmful to salmon.

Thirteen pesticides exceed levels established to protect aquatic life, others are detected at levels shown by scientific criteria to be harmful to salmon.

Oppose irradiated meat in school lunches (December 19, 2002)

PCC opposes USDA's consideration of irradiated meat for the National School Lunch Program. Irradiation creates novel chemicals in food and does not remove contaminants or address dirty processing plants.

PCC opposes USDA's consideration of irradiated meat for the National School Lunch Program. Irradiation creates novel chemicals in food and does not remove contaminants or address dirty processing plants.

Support WSU organic research and teaching (February 28, 2002)

PCC submits a letter of support for WSU's Organic Cropping Research and Education for the Northwest Program. It deserves funding because it will benefit our growers, residents and the environment.

PCC submits a letter of support for WSU's Organic Cropping Research and Education for the Northwest Program. It deserves funding because it will benefit our growers, residents and the environment.

Evaluating impact of pesticides on salmonids (May 29, 2001)

PCC supports a state Task Force to evaluate the impact of pesticides on salmon. Phase out the most hazardous pesticides, adopt a precautionary approach.

PCC supports a state Task Force to evaluate the impact of pesticides on salmon. Phase out the most hazardous pesticides, adopt a precautionary approach.

Fertilizer may contain “recycled” hazardous waste (February 25, 2001)

Allowing toxic waste from steel mills and mining to be "recycled" in fertilizers is unacceptable. EPA should ban this practice and eliminate loopholes in fertilizer regulations.

Allowing toxic waste from steel mills and mining to be "recycled" in fertilizers is unacceptable. EPA should ban this practice and eliminate loopholes in fertilizer regulations.

Progress in Washington on toxic waste in fertilizer (October 12, 2000)

PCC supports the Dept. of Ecology's plan to address the reduction of toxic waste in fertilizer. We urge stronger rules, especially for dioxin and PBT contaminated waste.

PCC supports the Dept. of Ecology's plan to address the reduction of toxic waste in fertilizer. We urge stronger rules, especially for dioxin and PBT contaminated waste.

News coverage of toxic chemicals in fertilizer (October 12, 2000)

The Seattle Times has done excellent work uncovering the issues around persistent bioaccumulative toxins in agricultural fertilizer.

The Seattle Times has done excellent work uncovering the issues around persistent bioaccumulative toxins in agricultural fertilizer.

Impact of diazinon on health and the environment (July 14, 2000)

Diazinon is a nerve poison linked to increased risk of cancer and is found at high levels in King County waters. We urge EPA to ban it from use on many food crops.

Diazinon is a nerve poison linked to increased risk of cancer and is found at high levels in King County waters. We urge EPA to ban it from use on many food crops.