Tweeters and Audubon members,

The problem of bioaccumulative toxins has an impact on the health of birds,
wildlife and humans. Please consider attending this event.


---- Forwarded message from Washington Toxic Coalition ----
Please direct replies/queries to <cdansereau at watoxics.org>

PLEASE ATTEND THIS IMPORTANT MEETING

People's Forum on Dioxin and Persistent
Toxic Pollution
Monday, May 22nd, 7:00 p.m.
Seattle Unity Church, 200 8th Ave, North

RALLY at 6:00 p.m. at Denny Park,next to
the church Featuring Lois Gibbs and others.

Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons and other government officials will attend.


Sponsors:
Washington Toxics Coalition Earth Ministry
Washington Association of Churches WashPIRG
Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility
Sierra Club
Institute for Children's Environmental Health & Others

IT'S DECISION TIME FOR WASHINGTON STATE'S STRATEGY ON PERSISTENT TOXIC
POLLUTION!

BACKGROUND & MESSAGE:
In 1998, the Locke Administration announced an initiatIve to eliminate
Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics (PBTs) such as dioxins, mercury and
pentachlorophenol. At public meetings about the initiative throughout the
state in 1999, hundreds of people called for immediate strong action, but
the pollution has continued.

Now it's decision time for Governor Locke and the Department of Ecology.
The agency is set to propose its official strategy on persistent toxic
pollution in June. Diverse groups have organized the People's Forum to
convince Ecology to adopt a strong state strategy that truly stops
persistent pollution. Government officials including Ecology Director
Fitzsimmons have agreed to attend in order to listen to people's comments,
and news media will be encouraged to cover the Forum. Locke and Ecology
need to hear that people want action now including:

* a state strategy that addresses all persistent toxics not just
a token few,

* immediate prohibitions on any new sources of persistent
pollutants in Washington,

* immediate action to stop persistent pollution from pulp mills,
wood treatment facilities, incinerators, and other major sources.
Alternatives exist and Locke has the authority to stop this pollution.

* a deadline of 2010 for other existing sources of persistent
toxic pollution.

Persistent toxic pollutants already contaminate breast milk, children, our
food supply, salmon, orcas and all creatures. In minute concentrations
they are associated with cancer, birth defects, reproductive problems,
inability to resist disease and other health effects. Thousands of toxic
sites in Washington state await costly cleanups. Large areas are off-
limits for fish and shellfish consumption.

Yet polluters continue to spew persistent pollutants into the environment.
A new Toxics Coalition report identifies over 190 known and suspected state
sources of just four of these longlasting poisons.(See Visualizing Zero at
www.watoxics.org) Examples include incinerators, pulp mills, fertilizer
manufacturers, cement kilns, electronics manufacturers, wood treaters, and
others.

IT'S TIME TO STOP THE TOXIC LEGACY. PLEASE, PUBLICIZE AND ATTEND THIS
IMPORTANT FORUM. PLAN ON TESTIFYING BUT ATTEND EVEN IF YOU DON'T WISH TO
SPEAK.

DIRECTIONS TO THE FORUM:
Mercer Street exit off of I-5. Left on Fairview, right on Harrison. Left
on 8th. For bus information, contact Metro at 553-3000.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Bonnie Rice or Carol Dansereau,Washington Toxics Coalition; 206-632-1545
(Bonnie Ext. 18, Carol Ext. 13) www.watoxics.org VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED.
GIVE US A CALL TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP.


Carol Dansereau, J.D.
Executive Director,
Washington Toxics Coalition,
Phone: 206-632-1545 Extension 13
Fax: 206-632-8661

4649 Sunnyside Ave., N, Suite 540-E, Seattle,
WA 98103 <cdansereau at watoxics.org> http://www.watoxics.org

The Toxics Coalition is a non-profit membership-based organization dedicated
to
protecting health by preventing pollution in industry, agriculture, schools
and the home.
If you are not already a member, please consider joining! Dues are $25 per
year.
Members receive our quarterly newsletter and periodic action alerts.