Waste 2 Resources > PBT Initiative > Chemical Action Plan (CAP)

What is a Chemical Action Plan (CAP)?

A CAP is a comprehensive plan to identify, characterize and evaluate all uses and releases of a specific PBT, a group of PBTs or metals of concern. A CAP is a plan, not legislation or a rule. It recommends actions to protect human health and the environment. Some of the recommendations may lead to new legislation or rules. These would go through the normal legislative or rulemaking process.

The PBT Initiative focuses on one toxic substance at a time. Ecology develops each CAP in collaboration with other agencies and experts representing various business, agricultural and advocacy sectors.

What chemicals have CAPs?
CAPs have been finalized for mercury, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and lead. A CAP for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is now being developed.

Future CAPs
The current Multiyear CAP Schedule lays out the planned schedule for future CAPs. It explains how and why Ecology gave priority to the chemicals slated for CAP development.

Following the PAH CAP, Ecology will develop a CAP for perfluorooctane sulfonates (PFOS). PFOS and their chemical variations were used historically as water, oil, soil and grease repellents for carpets, fabric and upholstery and food packaging. They were also used in specialized applications such as fire-fighting foams, aviation hydraulic fluids, and insecticides. PFOS has been shown to cause developmental toxicity and other toxic effects in animals.

The PBT Rule defines a detailed and scientific process to periodically review and update the PBT list and to prioritize the order in which CAPs will be developed for chemicals on the PBT list. In 2012 we will develop the next multiyear schedule and decide if the PBT list needs to be updated.