Washington State requires that copper in anti-fouling boat paint be phased out for recreational use by 2020. The Puget Sound has high levels of copper, which negatively affects marine life such as salmon. Northwest Green Chemistry and the Washington Department of Ecology are working together with stakeholders to conduct a comprehensive alternatives assessment to avoid regrettable substitutions and ensure that new technologies are safer for all. The alternatives assessment evaluates boat antifouling technologies based on hazard, comparative exposure, cost and availability, performance and additional stakeholder concerns. Access the final report here.
Introduction to Washington law, including why copper is toxic, what this means for a recreational boat owner, and how to get started on selecting a copper-free alternative.
After consultation with manufacturers, formulators, boatyard operators, and other stakeholders, Northwest Green Chemistry developed a list of 20 products to assess in the Washington State Antifouling Boat Paint Alternatives Assessment. These products represent the variety of technologies currently available for boat owners in Washington State.
There are four recommended modules, all of which are being included in the Washington State Antifouling Boat Paint Alternatives Assessment: Hazard, Performance, Cost & Availability, and Comparative Exposure. In addition to these four modules, NGC is including Stakeholder Concerns as the fifth module.
As part of NGC's work on the Washington State Antifouling Boat Paint Alternatives Assessment, NGC surveyed the current marketplace for different technologies to address fouling on recreational boats. Broadly, these technologies can be split into two different mechanisms: Biocidal and Non-biocidal.
Washington State Department of Ecology is working with Northwest Green Chemistry to identify and evaluate alternatives to copper anti-fouling boat paints, which prevent marine life from attaching to or growing on boat hulls. Copper negatively impacts many forms of aquatic life, notably salmon. NGC will be following the Washington Alternatives Assessment Guide, based on IC2 Alternatives Assessment method.
The NGC Team has expertise in science, engineering and multi-stakeholder facilitation. No amount of expertise can replace the perspectives and experience of diverse stakeholders. We encourage all those who are interested to serve as a stakeholder to sign up below. You will help guide selection guide development and to provide feedback by reviewing project information and participating in periodic stakeholder calls.
Thank you for your interest! We'll be in touch with you shortly to discuss the project more.
Northwest Green Chemistry presented an overview of the Washington State Antifouling Boat Paint Alternatives Assessment and began to solicit feedback.