Executive summary

Relating to the persistent bioaccumulative toxics (PBT) free purchasing resolution for the City of Bellingham

Through a variety of environmentally conscious resolutions, the City of Bellingham has shown an interest in protecting human health and the environment. Unfortunately these resolutions do not explicitly consider the harmful effects of persistent bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs). PBTs are toxic chemicals that persist in the environment and build up in the food chain. These toxins have been shown to pose great risk to human and environmental health. The most common consequences from exposure to PBTs include reproductive problems, brain, lung, and kidney damage, and cancer. Phasing out the use and production of these chemicals is vital to the preservation of the environment and protection of public health. 

We urge the City of Bellingham to adopt a resolution which will guide the purchases the City makes towards PBT-free alternatives. This will in turn decrease the amounts of toxins released into our environment. The consideration of non-economic factors such as human health and the environment in the purchasing process assures a holistic approach to public decision making. By choosing PBT-free alternatives the City sends a message to both consumers and manufacturers that long term public health and environmental implications are must be taken into account in the purchasing and manufacturing of goods.

Currently the problem posed by PBTs is being addressed piecemeal at the State level, through the Washington State Department of Ecology’s PBT strategy to reduce and eliminate PBTs, such as mercury and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants. Reductions in the usage of PBTs through local purchasing resolutions in the Cities of Seattle and Olympia have supported and augmented the state’s PBT strategy. Through the enactment of purchasing resolutions, fewer PBT containing products are purchased, and the release of PBT into the environment is thereby reduced. The City of Bellingham is urged to join Seattle and Olympia in passage of a PBT-free purchasing resolution to help protect the environment.

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