How can I help the Duwamish?

Choose natural, simple products

Choose natural simple products. Avoid fragrances, phosphorus and chemicals.

Why? Choosing environmentally friendly, biodegradable household cleaning and personal care products minimizes the entry of harmful chemicals into the wastewater stream and the environment.

Tips on finding the safest household products

• Look at the warning words on the label. The warning words "Caution" and "Warning" indicate a moderate hazard. The words "Danger" and "Poison" on the label indicate highest hazard. Avoid products marked "Danger" or "Poison" and look for products with no warning words. Note that particular warning words don’t always refer to the same kind of hazard.
• Chose a product with no scent or a mild scent. Scented products can add chemicals to the indoor air environment and may be disruptive to children and to people with respiratory ailments or sensitive skin.
• Check the product’s ingredients. Finding out what’s in a product can sometimes be difficult because manufacturers aren’t required to list all the ingredients (except for food products).
• Follow the instructions for product use. Information on the product label tells how to properly use the product, how to store it and clean it up, and how to avoid water pollution and environmental harm.

Use or Make Safer Alternatives

Safer alternatives can be substituted for many products that contain hazardous ingredients, particularly for products used to clean drains, toilet bowls, ovens, bathtubs and tiles. Learn more by visiting the Local Hazardous Waste Program in King County.

What you can do video, from the 2009 Duwamish River Festival:

Windows Media format, video length 3 minutes;
Produced by King County TV