Puget Sound toxins persist, threaten life

State eyes dozens of chemicals

JOHN DODGE, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published December 12, 2001

OLYMPIA -- The Puget Sound food chain -- from plankton to orca whales -- is contaminated with persistent, toxic chemicals that threaten the health of its inhabitants, according to a report released Tuesday by People for Puget Sound.

The report pulls together scientific studies pointing to the harmful effects of chemicals that do not break down over time and accumulate in the sediment and marine life of Puget Sound.

Signs of trouble include:

- A Puget Sound orca population that has declined by 20 percent during the past five years and has some of the most contaminated marine mammals in the world, according to research by the British Columbia Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

- Salmon in the industrialized Duwamish River in Seattle have higher toxic concentrations and lower growth and survival rates than salmon from the rural Nisqually River, according to National Marine Fisheries Service research.

- Herring, rockfish and other marine species in Puget Sound are on the decline and exposed to toxic chemicals such as mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls and DDT.

In some cases, the chemicals are banned from use but remain embedded in the sediment of urban bays, then passed up the food chain in ever-higher concentrations.

In other cases, the chemicals are still discharged in minute -- but accumulating -- amounts, directly or indirectly into Puget Sound.

"It makes a compelling case for ridding Puget Sound of persistent toxic chemicals," said People for Puget Sound Executive Director Kathy Fletcher.

Chemical project

The state Department of Ecology has embarked on a 20-year project to phase out the release and accumulation of chemicals that are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic.

Some of the chemicals cause cancer or are linked to problems with the immune, reproductive and nervous systems of humans, fish and wildlife.

"The science is clear. The time for action is now," said Laurie Valeriano of the Washington Toxics Coalition.

Ecology received $800,000 from the 2001 state Legislature to start work on a program to phase out persistent bioaccumulative toxins, or PBTs.

"It deserves a focused look and focused effort," Ecology spokeswoman Sheryl Hutchison said.

Ecology has identified nine chemicals to work on initially, including the banned pesticides DDT, chlordane and aldrin, along with dioxins, mercury and PCBs.

Another 56 chemicals are being screened for future work.

The project requires adequate funding and should not be targeted for cuts to help balance the budget in the upcoming legislative session, Fletcher said.

Fletcher also called for stronger enforcement of state water quality laws, quicker cleanup of toxin-laced sediments in urban bays and a phaseout of PBT discharges to Puget Sound by 2010.

John Dodge covers the environment and energy for The Olympian.

On the Web:

- People for Puget Sound

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