The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported today that 24 years of research show that dangerous levels of PBDEs, a toxic chemical used in flame retardants, exist in all of the United States’ coastal waterways.

Since 2005, Oregon has banned many types of PBDEs. Last week the Oregon Senate went a step further with the passage of SB 596, which would ban the use of every type of PBDE toxins statewide. The bill, sponsored by Senator Mark Hass (D-Beaverton), was hailed by Senate Democrats as a crucial step in addressing this severe ecological problem and eliminating toxins from Oregon’s waterways.

You can read more about today’s announcement here in The Oregonian.