Tag: Dept of Ecology

News Release – State proposes restrictions on toxic “forever chemicals” in common consumer products

June 4, 2025
Dept. of Ecology

Department of Ecology seeks public comment on restrictions and reporting requirements for PFAS in 12 product categories 
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Link to announcement

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology is proposing a rule to restrict the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – better known as PFAS – in common consumer products including clothing, cleaning products and car wash soap. The rule would also require manufacturers to report if they use PFAS in nine other product categories.  

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Model Toxics Control Act

Department of Ecology
Passed into law in 1988

The Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) is Washington’s environmental cleanup law. MTCA funds and directs the investigation, cleanup, and prevention of sites that are contaminated by hazardous substances. It works to protect people’s health and the environment, and to preserve natural resources for the future.

There are about 14,000 known or suspected contaminated sites in Washington — and the list keeps growing. Thanks to cleanup efforts funded by MTCA, more than 7,700 of these sites are already cleaned up or require no further action.

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Tire anti-degradant (6PPD) and 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ)

Department of Ecology

Icon showing a tire and tire dust.

6PPD is a chemical that prevents automotive tires from degrading (i.e., breaking down) and helps them last longer. When 6PPD is exposed to air, it reacts with ozone to create 6PPD-quinone (also known as 6PPDQ). 6PPDQ is lethal to coho salmon and can contaminate water systems.

We work with Tribal and local governments, state and federal agencies, academic institutions, and industrial organizations to reduce the pollution and sources of 6PPDQ released from tires in Washington.

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Link to DOE article

Saving Washington’s salmon from toxic tire dust

Department of Ecology
January 25, 2023

We are taking action to reduce 6PPD-quinone, a chemical that is deadly to coho salmon

For over 20 years, scientists faced a toxic mystery: coho salmon returning to urban streams and rivers in the Puget Sound region were dying before they could lay their eggs. The culprit was unknown, but it seemed linked to  toxic chemicals running off our roads and highways. 

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Department of Ecology – Our Committees, Boards, and Workgroups

We’re proud of the community involvement that supports Ecology’s mission. State, regional, and local governmental, non-governmental, and private constituents join forces to provide advice and oversight to a variety of projects and programs.

Below you will find links to many of the boards, committees, task forces, and other groups we contribute to. For additional information about our partnerships, boards, and committees, please visit our partnerships and committees page on our main website, ecology.wa.gov.

Our Committees, Boards, and Workgroups index