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Department of Ecology News Release - April 22, 2003
03-073
OLYMPIA - Beneath a crown of 575 stadium lights at Safeco Field, Gov. Gary
Locke today announced a statewide campaign to curb mercury pollution. In
celebration of Earth Day, the governor was joined by several business leaders
who pledged their companies' support in this statewide effort.
"We can and must do much more to protect our citizens and future generations
from toxic chemicals such as mercury," Locke said. "The health risks from
mercury are well documented, and we have more options than ever for recycling
products that contain mercury."
The Seattle Mariners, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Unico Properties Inc. joined
the governor and pledged to recycle fluorescent and other mercury-containing
lights used on their properties. In addition, Locke said he is preparing a
directive for all state agencies to recycle similar lights.
The state's mercury phase-out strategy, developed by the state departments of
Ecology and Health, estimates that about 1 ton of mercury waste can be kept out
of Washington's environment each year by recycling products such as fluorescent
lights, thermostats and thermometers that contain mercury. More than 5 million
fluorescent tubes and bulbs are disposed annually in the Puget Sound area, with
only 25 percent currently recycled – mostly by large businesses and
institutions.
"The Mariners pledge 100-percent recycling of mercury-containing field lights
used at Safeco Field," said Howard Lincoln, chairman and CEO of Seattle Mariners
in a statement provided for the news conference. Mariners President Chuck
Armstrong represented the team at the news conference.
"Like the Mariners, Puget Sound Energy uses efficient fluorescent lights in our
55 facilities across our 11-county service territory," said Jerry Henry, senior
vice president of customer services and energy efficiency at Puget Sound Energy.
"We have been and will continue to recycle all of our expended fluorescent
lights at the proper waste-management facilities."
In addition to recycling its own fluorescents, PSE is sponsoring coupons and
rebate campaigns to promote the use and proper recycling of fluorescent lights
by its customers.
Unico Properties Inc., which oversees 1.8 million square feet of office space in
downtown Seattle, also pledged to recycle fluorescents and provide education to
its tenants.
"At Unico, conserving our natural resources is just one way we recognize our
responsibility to improve the quality of life in the communities in which we
live and work," said Dale Sperling, president and CEO of Unico Properties Inc.
Humans are most likely to be exposed to mercury by eating contaminated fish.
Health advisories warning against eating certain types of fish contaminated with
mercury have been issued for marine waters around Bremerton, Bainbridge Island
and Seattle, for Lake Roosevelt near Coulee City, and Lake Whatcom in
Bellingham.
Washington state was the first in the nation to develop a strategy for phasing
out these toxic chemicals, called "persistent, bioaccumulative toxins" (PBTs).
Mercury waste is the first PBT targeted because of its widespread use and
serious health consequences.
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Contacts:
Michael Marchand, Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136;
Sheryl Hutchison, Department of Ecology, 360-407-7004;
Rebecca Hale, Seattle Mariners, 206-346-4324;
Tim Bader, Puget Sound Energy, 888-831-7250;
Laura Thomas, Unico Properties Inc., 206-628-5072
Mercury Action Web site: http://www.mercurymess.org/
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
