U.S. States and the Global POPs Treaty

The report examines how U.S. states, specifically Maine, California, and Washington, are implementing policies to eliminate persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals (PBTs) while the federal government remains stalled on ratifying the Stockholm Convention. It highlights state-level bans on mercury-containing products, brominated flame retardants (PBDEs), and the pesticide lindane, as well as efforts to reduce dioxin emissions. The document argues that these state actions serve as 'laboratories' for reform and that federal implementing legislation should support rather than preempt these tougher state standards.

• The United States signed the Stockholm Convention in 2001 but has failed to ratify it due to a lack of necessary changes to federal environmental laws, specifically the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
• Maine has implemented aggressive policies to reduce mercury, including a 2001 law banning mercury switch thermostats and 2003 legislation banning various measuring devices such as barometers and thermometers by July 1, 2006.
• Maine enacted the first U.S. law to contemplate the phaseout of deca-BDE, a brominated flame retardant, with a presumptive ban set for January 1, 2008, if safer alternatives are available.
• California was the first state to ban the sale and use of the persistent pesticide lindane for the treatment of head lice and scabies in 2000.
• California's legislation banning penta- and octa-BDEs was the first of its kind in the U.S. and has since been mirrored by at least 11 other states, including Hawaii, Michigan, and New York.
• California has attempted to establish a statewide biomonitoring program to measure 'pollution in people,' specifically targeting PBDEs, mercury, and lead, though it has faced funding challenges and industry opposition.
• Washington State developed a comprehensive PBT Strategy to identify and reduce persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals, naming mercury as its first priority PBT.
• Washington's 2003 Mercury Education and Reduction Act banned several mercury-containing products, including automotive switches and blood pressure devices, and prohibited mercury use in school science labs.
• In Washington, the state government uses its procurement power to drive the market for safer alternatives by requiring agencies to purchase PBT-free equipment and supplies whenever feasible.

APA

Stillerman, K. P. (n.d.). U.S. States and the Global POPs Treaty. Center for International Environmental Law. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/States_POPs_May05.pdf

Chicago

Stillerman, Karen Perry. U.S. States and the Global POPs Treaty. Center for International Environmental Law, n.d. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/States_POPs_May05.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Stillerman |first1=Karen Perry |title=U.S. States and the Global POPs Treaty |publisher=Center for International Environmental Law |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/States_POPs_May05.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stillermanndstates, author = {Stillerman, Karen Perry}, title = {{U.S. States and the Global POPs Treaty}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/States_POPs_May05.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }