Every year industries and governments unnecessarily produce, use, and release into the environment countless millions of pounds of toxic substances. Many of these chemicals persist for long periods of time, thus building to higher and higher levels as discharges continue. Many also concentrate in the food chain and in the bodies of people and other living organisms, a process called bioaccumulation.
The effects of this toxics onslaught are devastating. The Pacific Northwest's ecosystems, wildlife, fisheries, and people have become contaminated with poisons that cause birth defects, infertility, neurological damage, immune system depression, hormonal disruption, cancers, and other diseases and injuries. Workers and plant neighbors have suffered frontline toxic exposures and injuries. Hundreds of toxic hotspots in need of expensive cleanups have been created. Significant damage has been done to our planet's protective ozone layer.
Current toxics policies are based on an "assimilative capacity" approach for the release of toxics. Under this approach, governments authorize massive direct releases of poisonous substances into the environment, including those that persist and bioaccumulate. Chemical discharges are considered innocent until proven guilty, rendering action impossible until irreversible damage is done.
Current regulations to limit discharges of pollution rely primarily on "end-of-pipe" methods. Under this approach, the use of toxic chemicals is not questioned - only where and how they are released. A toxics shellgame occurs as pollution control devices capture toxics which then cause pollution elsewhere during their management and disposal. In some cases, manufacturers have even pumped more toxics into their products so they can claim to have reduced pollution. Those products then cause pollution during use and disposal.
Our governments' end-of-pipe approach has also led to massive accidental releases of toxics to the environment. Using and producing toxic substances creates the opportunity for spills, leaks, explosions and other accidents.
Decisions about toxic pollution are made without the meaningful participation of those affected by them. Workers have little control over substances to which they are exposed. Residents affected by industrial facilities suffer the consequences of local toxics use without a real say in toxics use decisions. The general public, including people who depend on fish for their livelihoods and sustenance, have little control over toxic substances that contaminate the environment.
The time has come for a fundamental change. Attempts to control and manage toxic substances, to restrict their discharge to "acceptable levels" have failed. Once produced, toxic substances can and do end up in the environment. Once released - even in small quantities - persistent and/or bioaccumulative poisons accumulate to higher and higher levels, eventually causing harm to people and the ecosystem.
The focus must shift to preventing pollution before it is generated. Industrial processes must change in order to minimize the production and use of toxic chemicals. Because the ecosystem cannot assimilate any amount of persistent toxic substances, these chemicals must be phased out altogether. Every decision we make must take into account the effects it will have on all future generations.
Thus, we endorse the following Zero Toxics principles:
2) We advocate the elimination and reduction of the use, production and release of other toxics substances in the environment, workplace and home.
3) We apply our goals to more than just a small list of the most notorious chemicals. At a minimum, the goal of zero use, production, and release applies in all cases where a toxic substance is persistent or bioaccumulative. It also applies when a substance will generate persistent or bioaccumulative toxic byproducts or breakdown products during its production, use or disposal.
4) We advocate programs that achieve our goals through reformulation of industrial processes associated with toxics use and production. Limiting discharges and shifting toxics from one environmental medium to another do not protect people or the environment.
5) We reject risk assessments which claim that exposures to toxics substances are safe.
6) We advocate widespread dissemination, promotion, and development of information about least-toxic alternatives.
7) We recognize that a healthy and sustainable economy and a just society are possible only with a healthy environment.
8) We support economic assistance, education, training, and other transitional strategies that safeguard workers' rights to meaningful employment with family-level wages while achieving our zero toxics goals.
9) We support participation of diverse organizations and individuals in workplace and community planning and implementation of zero toxics programs.
7/26/94