Most of us think products must be tested for harmful chemicals before they reach the shelf. Many of us also think there must be someone checking what companies can and cannot put into products. Unfortunately, for most products, this is not true.
Wildlife: Threatening the health of species like orcas, salmon, birds, seals, and others.
PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that manufacturers use to make products more stain- and water-resistant. Exposure to certain PFAS is tied to a range of health issues, including cancer.
Flame retardant chemicals are most often applied to products to meet fire-safety requirements (i.e., to slow the progression of fires should they occur). Certain flame retardants are toxic and build up in our bodies and in wildlife.
Some self-care products, such as cosmetics, perfumes, lotions, nail polish, and hair products contain toxic chemicals. For example, adding phthalates to products can make scents last longer.
Small changes have a compounding effect. Simple choices you can make are:
Shop for safer products: Using less toxic products reduces your exposure to harmful chemicals and the likelihood of those toxic chemicals getting into the environment.
Washington is a leader in reducing and eliminating the use of toxic chemicals in consumer products. We implement many laws that regulate toxic chemicals in certain products, such as:
We offer free language services about our programs and services for people whose primary language is not English. We can provide written information in your preferred language and interpreters in person or over the telephone.
