Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Nov. 19, 1998

98-199

Contact: Sheryl Hutchison, Communication Director, 360-407-7004

National and international experts on toxic exposure to speak at symposium

OLYMPIA - Eliminating toxic chemicals from the air, water and food chain will be the subject of a symposium being sponsored by the Washington State Department of Ecology on Dec. 2 in Tacoma.

The symposium, entitled "Eliminating Toxic & Bioaccumulative Chemicals: A Challenge to Washington State," will focus on toxic chemicals that are known to accumulate in animal and plant tissues.

The event will feature a keynote address by Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons, followed by state, national and international speakers who have studied the health and environmental effects associated with these chemicals.

Officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Canadian government will talk about efforts nationally and globally to reduce exposure and to clean up contamination. Also, representatives of the business and environmental communities will share their views and perspectives on the topic.

Audience-comment periods will be held periodically throughout the day.

The symposium lasts from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Tacoma Convention Center, 13^th and Market streets, Tacoma.

To register, contact Gayla Lord at 360-407-6695. Registration information also is available at the Department of Ecology's Web site: http://www.wa.gov/ecology/eils/bcc/symposium.html (Link removed 01/08/02).

Editors note: News reporters are invited to attend the symposium. Call Sheryl Hutchison (360-407-7004) for details.