2008 Press Releases

December 3, 2008: One in Three Children's Toys Tested by Ecology Center's www.HealthyToys.org has Significant Levels of Chemicals, Including Lead, Flame Retardants, and Arsenic

The Ecology Center today released the 2nd annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in toys at www.HealthyToys.org. Researchers tested over 1,500 new, popular children's toys for lead, arsenic, mercury and other harmful chemicals.

November 11, 2008: 54 Incoming State Representatives Commit to Getting Toxics Out of Toys

Last Tuesday Michigan voters elected at least 54 State Representatives committed to protecting kids from toxic chemicals in toys.  In a strong response to the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids (HMHK) coalition and voters across the state, nearly 50 percent of all 2009/10 Michigan House of Representatives members officially signed the HMHK platform, a comprehensive approach to addressing toxics in children’s products.

October 7, 2008: DTE’s GreenCurrents Declared “Greenwash”; Alternative Proposed

The premium that 14,000 residential or business customers in Southeast Michigan who have signed up for DTE Energy’s GreenCurrents program are paying on their monthly electric utility bill buys no renewable energy, according to filings with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). Moreover, 85 percent of the program’s costs in its first year went to marketing and administration, promoting DTE’s green credentials through money that could have gone to green power purchases. To remedy these problems and provide a true green energy option, the Ecology Center and City of Ann are teaming up to change the way GreenCurrents operates.

September 4, 2008: Toxic Flame Retardants in Toddlers & Preschoolers 3x Higher than in their Moms

In the first nationwide investigation of chemical fire retardants in children and their parents, Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that toddlers and pre-schoolers typically had 3 times more of the neurotoxic compounds in their blood as their mothers. The study suggests that U.S. children 1 to 4 years of age bear the heaviest burden of flame retardant pollution in the industrialized world. The results add critical evidence to support passage of HB 4465, the Michigan bill that would restrict deca-BDE, a major flame retardant tested for in the study.

August 20, 2008: Chrysler, Wheel Weight Makers Agree to Eliminate Lead

The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) announced it has reached a legal agreement with Chrysler and the three largest producers of automobile wheel bearing weights, requiring the companies to end the use of leaded wheel weights in California by the end of 2009. The landmark agreement marks the first-ever legally binding statewide rule phasing out lead in wheel weights in the U.S., and will end the annual release of 500,000 pounds of lead into the environment in California, which occurs when wheel weights break off of automobile wheels.

August 4, 2008: State Panel Recommends Ban on Toxic Flame Retardant

The state's Interdepartmental Toxics Steering Group just released the long-awaited final report on the hazards of the common flame-retardants, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), which are under intense scrutiny by the Michigan Legislature because of concerns they are ending up in the Great Lakes and in people.

July 31, 2008: Congress Takes First Step Towards “Healthy Toys”

A Congressional Committee chaired by Representative John Dingell (M-15) finalized the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act to include provisions to set first-ever national standards on lead in toys and ban the plasticizer phthalates from children’s toys and childcare articles. This landmark legislation, which validates the concerns of scientists and parents by moving toward safer toys, is set to the pass through Congress tomorrow.

July 22, 2008: Leading Environmental Organization Releases 2nd Annual Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Cars and Children's Car Seats at www.HealthyCar.org

Today the Ecology Center released the 2nd annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and children's car seats at www.HealthyCar.org. Over 200 of the most popular 2008- and 2009-model vehicles and over 60 children's car seats were tested for chemicals that off-gas from parts such as the steering wheel, dashboard, armrests, seats, and carpet.

June 18, 2008: Incineration is Big Climate Problem, New Report Says

Earlier this month, The Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Association (GDRRA) communicated to Convanta, the operator of the Detroit incinerator, that GDRRA will not renew the facility’s lease. It is still not clear if GDRRA has intentions of continued incineration of Detroit’s solid waste. Detroit has the largest incinerator in the world.

May 29, 2008: Is Your Child's Car Seat Toxic?

The Ecology Center is at it again. Last year they released the first-ever consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and child car seats at www.HealthyCar.org, including 62 brand new infant, convertible and booster car seats. Now, these Ann-Arbor based environmental scientists are testing 2008 models, and they want to hear from YOU.

May 29, 2008: Report Outlines Leading Trend in Health Care Sector: Hospitals Purchasing Local, Sustainable Food

Hospitals across the country are changing their food buying to improve patient health and to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture, according to a new report released today. For 127 US hospitals, the words "hospital food" and "healthy communities, healthy environment" are one and the same, according to a new report released by Health Care Without Harm today. The "Healthy Food in Health Care" report outlines concrete steps being taken by hospitals regionally that support the national trend to change their food buying practices towards more sustainably produced, healthier choices for patients, staff and visitors.

May 15, 2008: House Overwhelmingly Passes Restrictions on Dangerous Pesticide Lindane

Health professionals and environmentalists praised the Michigan House of Representatives for overwhelming passing (72-35) important legislation protecting children's health today. In a bipartisan vote, members of the House approved common sense restrictions on the use of lindane, a hazardous pesticide used in pharmaceuticals for the treatment of lice and scabies.

May 14, 2008: Restrictions on dangerous lindane approved by 9-3 vote of House committee

Health professionals and environmentalists praised the House Great Lakes and Environment Committee for passing important legislation protecting children's health today. In a bipartisan vote, members of the Committee approved common sense restrictions on the use of lindane, a hazardous pesticide used in pharmaceuticals for the treatment of lice and scabies.

March 12, 2008: Drug Company Drops SLAPP Suit Against Ecology Center

The Ecology Center announced today an end to the SLAPP suit filed against it by Morton Grove Pharmaceuticals.  After nearly two years of litigation where the company alleged at least $9.3 million in damages, the parties entered into a settlement in which Morton Grove drops its lawsuit and the Ecology Center makes no payment to the company, nor any admission of liability.

"We consider this outcome an unqualified victory," said Mike Garfield, Director of the Ecology Center.  "We're glad to be able once again to focus 100% of our efforts on protecting public health and the environment."

March 7, 2008: Ecology Center Annual Meeting Features Acclaimed Investigative Reporter

The annual membership meeting of the Ecology Center will feature acclaimed investigative journalist Mark Schapiro, editorial director of the Center for Investigative Reporting, and author of Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products and What's at Stake for American Power. The event takes place on Thursday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m., at Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, in Room 101 of the Morris Lawrence Building.

January 3, 2008: New State Law Adds Restrictions to Lead in Toys

The New Year brings a new warning to toy retailers and wholesalers in Michigan: Get the lead out.

Effective immediately, a package of new state laws calls for fines of up to $50,000 against companies that sell toys containing high levels of lead.

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