Toxics in Puget Sound Conference - April 2006
The Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition was pleased to be a sponsor of the Toxics in Puget Sound forum held on April 5, 2006 at Town Hall in Seattle. The event was very successful, drawing more than 350 participants including researchers, government agency staff, environmental advocacy non-profits, and concerned citizens.
A follow-up conference is planned for 2008. To be placed on a contact list for updates, contact Heather Trim at People For Puget Sound at htrim@pugetsound.org.
See the following press coverage related to the problem of toxic contamination of Puget Sound. |
| Wednesday, April 5, 2006 Chemicals tainting orcas' dinner More PBDEs seen; adults often share fish with young http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/265582_orca05.html |
| Thursday, April 6, 2006 Babies' Health: Ban chemicals Seattle P-I Editorial: New concerns about chemicals in the diet of endangered orcas underline a sad fact of the 2006 legislative session. Lawmakers already knew enough to ban some strong chemicals but failed to act. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/265622_toxiced.html |
| Thursday April 6, 2006 Get mad about toxins, official says ; The leader of the governor's Puget Sound Action Team calls for warnings, environmental reforms and outrage to reduce pollution in the Sound. |
| SUSAN GORDON. The News Tribune . Tacoma, WA pg. B.01 |
This is one example of consumer product labeling that Brad Ack, chairman of the Puget Sound Action Team, believes could help protect not only your kids, but also Puget Sound. The team, an adjunct of the office of Gov. Chris Gregoire, is dedicated to the conservation of the Sound, and Ack was in Seattle on Wednesday to rally support for efforts to reduce toxic contamination. |
main Toxics in Puget Sound page
Event Information
Toxics in Puget Sound:
Connecting the Marine Environment to Human Health and the EconomyWednesday, April 5, 2006, Seattle
Town Hall
For more information, go to: http://pugetsound.org/toxics-forum.htm
9:00 am 5:30
pm Day Program
A one-day Toxics in Puget Sound Forum will focus on hot topics
of toxic contamination and its effects in Puget Sound, featuring current
research by the top scientists and researchers. Topics range from stormwater
and air contributions, levels of contamination in the food web of Puget
Sound from plankton to the orca, and environmental justice considerations
as well as economic and industry implications. At the end of the day,
we want the audience to take away an understanding of emerging scientific
and policy issues as well as challenges and opportunities for the next
decade regarding toxic contaminants in Puget Sound.
REGISTRATION Fee covers forum materials, day and evening program, continental
breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Regular: $45 by March 15, $60 after March
15
Nonprofit and Individual $35 by March 15, $45 after March 15
7:00 pm 8:30 pm Evening Program
Toxics
in the Mammals of Puget Sound: Orcas, Seals and Humans
Orcas and seals in Puget Sound are among
the most contaminated marine mammals in the world. In addition, flame
retardants and other toxic chemicals are showing up in the breast milk
of women in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Peter S. Ross,
marine mammal toxicologist at the Institute of Ocean Sciences (Fisheries
and Oceans Canada) and his team have found relatively high levels of
PCBs and flame retardant chemicals (PBDEs) in orcas and harbor seals
in the transboundary Puget Sound - Georgia Basin ecosystem. Dr. Ross
will present an overview of his research into the aptly-named 'fireproof
killer whales' and highlight the risk of adverse health effects in marine
mammals. Robert Duff, Director of the Office of Environmental
Health Assessments, Washington State Department of Health, has been a
leader in the Washington's work to reduce the impacts of persistent,
bioaccumulative toxics (PBTs) on human health and the environment. Mr.
Duff will discuss the health concerns associated with flame retardants
(PBDEs) and other chemicals and the policy debate about how we regulate
them.
For
more information, go to:
http://pugetsound.org/toxics-forum.html
last updated April 10, 2006
