PBDE ban approved in Washington -- first in nation

[flamingyouth]

After three years of hot -- perhaps even incendiary -- debate, Washington lawmakers minutes ago approved a ban on PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers. The legislation has been approved by the Senate in a 41-8 vote, and was previously passed in the House (71-24). It now must be signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire.

The House Bill 1024 focuses on a form of PBDEs called deca, which is the most widely used variety. It will be banned from use in mattresses beginning next year. The state departments of Ecology and Health will be researching an alternative chemical that must be "safer and technically feasible" for use in TVs, computers and residential upholstered furniture.

I did a big story on this issue last week -- check out the great graphics by Wendy Wahman and photos by Paul Joseph Brown.

Posted by Lisa Stiffler at April 3, 2007 12:18 p.m.

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/environment/archives/113516.asp