Publication Summary

Report describes legislation which protects human health and the environment by creating regulatory standards for nine heavy metals commonly found in commercial fertilizers (arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, lead, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium and zinc). These standards set limits for the annual loading (addition) of these metals to soils in Washington. Washington is first state to set clear, scientifically defined standards designed to identify and minimize contaminants in fertilizers. Since the passage of the Act, only fertilizers that meet the Washington metals standards have been registered by the Department of Agriculture for distribution in the state.

Report describes legislation which protects human health and the environment by creating regulatory standards for nine heavy metals commonly found in commercial fertilizers (arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, lead, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium and zinc). These standards set limits for the annual loading (addition) of these metals to soils in Washington. Washington is first state to set clear, scientifically defined standards designed to identify and minimize contaminants in fertilizers. Since the passage of the Act, only fertilizers that meet the Washington metals standards have been registered by the Department of Agriculture for distribution in the state.

The Act requires Department of Ecology in consultation with the Departments of Health and Labor and Industries to review and make recommendations for the registration of waste-derived and micronutrient fertilizers before the Department of Agriculture registers those products.

The Act also requires agencies to biennially prepare a report to the legislature presenting information on levels of nonnutritive substances in fertilizers and the results from agency testing of products. This is the first report to the legislature under that mandate.