OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Ecology is proposing an update of the criteria of toxics allowed in the state’s waters, also known as the aquatic life toxics criteria.
This criteria, which includes limits for both marine and freshwater, are designed to protect aquatic life from immediate and long term effects caused by toxic chemicals in the water, such as death or changes in growth and reproduction.
The last update to these criteria was 30 years ago according to the Department of Ecology.
According to a release from the Department, the goal is to update the criteria for 16 out of the 28 toxic chemicals on Washington’s list as well as add an additional 14 chemicals for a total of 42.
Some of the well-known chemicals already on the list that are set to receive updates include arsenic, copper, nickel, silver and zinc.
The proposed additional chemicals include PFOA and PFOS, which are a part of the PFAS chemical group, aluminum and 6PPD-quinone.
6PPD-quinone, the emerging chemical of concern, comes from tires and is toxic to salmon.
The Department is basing these updates on science and new research, new methods and modeling tools, recommendations from EPA and Tribal governments and public input encouraging the prioritization of this work.
The updated criteria will become part of water quality permits and used to identify polluted waters in need of cleaning once finalized by the Department.
The Department is accepting public comments on this rule through April 17.
Comments can be submitted online, by mail, or at either of the Department’s virtual public hearings on April 4 at 1:30 p.m. and April 10 at 5:30 p.m.
The Department requests that all comments sent by mail be sent to the following address:
Marla Koberstein, Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program, P.O. Box 47696, Olympia, WA 98504-7696.
