Washington Revised Code Title 70A. Environmental Health and Safety § 70A.340.010. Findings

(1) Brake friction material is an essential component of motor vehicle brakes and is critically important to transportation safety and public safety in general;

(2) Debris from brake friction material containing copper and its compounds is generated and released to the environment during normal operation of motor vehicle brakes;

(3) Thousands of pounds of copper and other substances released from brake friction material enter Washington state's streams, rivers, and marine environment every year; and

(4) Copper is toxic to many aquatic organisms, including salmon.