Celebrating 40 Years Working for a Safe and Healthy Environment!
The Ecology Center is a Michigan-based nonprofit environmental
organization that works at the local, state, and national levels for
clean production, healthy communities, environmental justice, and a
sustainable future.
Join us for a Home Safe Home Party in Kalamazoo
Come learn how to reduce your exposure to toxic household chemicals and make your very own non-toxic cleaners! You're invited to bring in your children's products to be tested for toxics, like lead and cadmium. This event is free and open to the public.
Saturday, September 18th
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Kalamazoo Community College Arcadia Commons Campus
Anna Whitten Hall, Room 128 202 North Rose St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
For more information, contact Jennifer Canvasser or 734.761.3186 ext. 115
New Report – The Price of Pollution: Cost Estimates of Environment-Related Childhood Disease in Michigan
Michigan could save up to 1.5% of its gross domestic product each year by protecting children from environmental exposures, according to a new report released today entitled The Price of Pollution: Cost Estimates of Environment-Related Childhood Disease in Michigan. The report, released by a coalition of health and environmental groups, examines direct and indirect costs for four childhood diseases that are linked in part or whole to environmental toxicants. The report estimates that the environmentally attributable costs of lead poisoning, asthma, pediatric cancer, and neurodevelopmental disorders in the state of Michigan is $5.85 billion annually with a range of $3.65 to 6.68 billion. This is the first-ever study of the cost of environmental disease for Michigan.
Press Release: Preventable Childhood Illnesses Cost Michigan Billions of Dollars
Momentum Builds in Congress to Overhaul Chemicals Policy
Congressmen Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) recently introduced a groundbreaking bill to overhaul U.S. chemicals policy in the House Energy & Commerce Committee. The "Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010" is intended to overhaul the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which has failed to regulate chemicals in consumer products – even those chemicals that have known links to cancer, learning disabilities, asthma, reproductive disorders, and other serious health problems. Read more
Oil Company Front Group Distorts Truth in Michigan Radio Ads to Avoid Responsibility for Carbon Pollution
Facts Show Low-Carbon Fuel Policy Would Create Jobs in State's Auto and Agricultural Sectors
An oil company-funded ad campaign in Michigan and other Midwest states is distorting the truth in order to keep Michigan addicted to imported oil. The ads are part of a $1 million dollar effort to strong-arm Senators Levin & Stabenow, along with other supporters, into opposing a federal Low-carbon Fuel Standard. Michigan's Senators rightfully claim that car companies aren't the only industry that should be required to cut emissions. They understand that low carbon fuels, such as advanced electric batteries and cellulosic ethanol, are good for Michigan's economy. Read more
Ecology Center Applauds President Obama's Electric Vehicle Battery Manufacturing Efforts
But Michigan Needs Additional Policies to Ensure Demand for EV's
July 15, 2010: The Ecology Center applauds the Obama administration's support of U.S. advanced battery manufacturing initiatives, highlighted in the President's attendance at the groundbreaking for Compact Power's new lithium-ion battery assembly plant in Holland, MI. Read more
Please Call Your Representative Today to Protect Kids from Toxic Chemicals
Shrek glasses with cadmium? Cancer-causing formaldehyde in furniture? Over 1.1 million gallons of toxic oil dispersants pumped into the Gulf of Mexico? Clearly, our current laws do not protect us from harmful chemicals. Tell Congress enough is enough!
A bill was just introduced in the House of Representatives to reform our broken chemical law. We have a unique opportunity to protect our health and Great Lakes for generations to come, but your Representative needs to hear from you. Please take action here.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Canvasser
or 734-761-3186 ext. 115
Free Toxic Toy Testing & Rally for Safe Chemicals
Thursday, June 17 – 10:00 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
Gallup Park, Ann Arbor
Learn more
Event Flier
Press Release
Annual Meeting Hears About the "Wicked Problem" of Food
Dr. Michael Hamm's talk at the Ecology Center Annual Meeting inspired a vibrant discussion that results in the following Local Food Links:
- Ann Arbor 350 - Help organize a food-related local work day on 10/10/10
- Friday Mornings at SELMA - Have breakfast while raising money for hoophouse builds
- Food Systems Economic Partnership (FSEP) - The 5th Annual FSEP Conference will take place on Thursday, June 24th at the Jackson Career Center in Jackson, Michigan - REGISTER TODAY!
- Stop by Carpenter Rd & Textile to buy produce from the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility garden (and soon, hoophouse!)
New Study: Michigan Families Routinely Exposed to Toxic Chemical BPA in Canned Foods
Detroit, Michigan: Eating common canned foods is exposing consumers to levels of bisphenol A (BPA) equal to levels shown to cause health problems in laboratory animals, according to a new study released today by the Michigan-based Ecology Center and The National Work Group for Safe Markets, a coalition of public health and environmental health groups. The study, No Silver Lining, tested food from 50 cans from 19 US states, including Michigan, and one Canadian province for BPA contamination. Over 90% of the cans tested had detectable levels of BPA, some at higher levels than have been detected in previous studies.
News:
Is the Capitol Toxic? Toxic Flame Retardants & Lead Found in Lawmaker Offices, Capitol
Lansing, MI: Samples taken from two lawmaker offices, the Capitol and Boji Tower contained significant levels of the toxic flame retardant deca-BDE and lead, study results released today revealed. The Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health unveiled these and other findings, increasing the urgency of its call for immediate passage of HB 4699, which would phase-out deca-BDE, and for the Children's Safe Products Act (HB 4763-69), which would give parents a right-to-know about the most toxic chemicals in children's products.
Great Lakes Groups Urge Congress to Protect the Lakes Through Chemical Reform Law
Prior to the expected release of major legislation this month, 60 Great Lakes groups sent a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to protect the Great Lakes region from the worst toxic chemicals as part of reforming our nation's chemical laws. The letters were signed by groups in all eight Great Lakes states, representing hundreds of thousands of residents in the region and widespread concern over past and present chemical contamination of the Lakes.
Historic New Fuel Economy Standards a Win-Win-Win for the Environment, Consumers, and the Industry
The Ecology Center applauds the final fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission rules announced by the Obama administration today. The rules represent a first-ever joint rulemaking between the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They also meet the requirements previously adopted by the State of California and by other states that adopted the California standards.
Take Action!
Take ACTION to Protect Children's Health!
Ask your your state Senator and Chairman George to support the Michigan "Children's Safe Products Act!"
Michigan Doesn't Need More Coal!
Please sign this petition to Consumers Energy CEO David Joos today!
Ecology
Center is a member of Earth Share of Michigan, and Michigan
Environmental Council, and UAW Local 38: |
   |
Take Action Donate Events About Membership Newsletters Press Publications Links Contact
117 N. Division St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1580 USA • phone 734·761·3186 • fax 734·663·2414 •