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Press Releases
2010
Following the recommendations of the state's leading medical, health, and environmental organizations - as well as fire fighters - the Michigan House nearly unanimously passed HB 4699 (94-6), which would phase-out the toxic flame retardant deca-BDE. This long awaited bi-partisan vote follows on the heels of a voluntary agreement to end the manufacture, import, and sale of the chemical between three major manufacturers of deca-BDE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
1/21/10 - Evidence is strong and growing that chemical exposures contribute significantly to the rise in many chronic diseases, according to a new report synthesizing peer-reviewed science released today. "The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act" finds that Michiganders and all Americans would be healthier if exposure to toxic chemicals was reduced. Michiganders could conservatively save over $150 million annually in health care costs.
2009
The first national study of the toxic
chemical "body burden" in health professionals found an array of
hazardous chemicals in twenty doctors and nurses across the country, including
state Representative Jimmy Womack, MD and the founder of MSU's Department
of Pediatrics, Dr. William Weil.
A blueprint for making robust investments
in clean energy and energy efficiency — shaped jointly by utilities,
environmental and farm groups, industry, labor unions, and state government — would
catapult the Midwest ahead of other regions in generating economic development
from technologies that combat global warming, according to observers of the
Midwestern Governors Association's (MGA) Jobs and Energy Forum Wednesday.
HealthyStuff.org Urges Government and Manufacturers
to Phase Out the Most Hazardous Substances Immediately
A nonprofit environmental research organization released results today on over 900 common products tested for toxic chemicals including lead, cadmium, mercury, bromine, chlorine (PVC) and arsenic. Using an XRF analyzer, researchers at the Ecology Center analyzed the ingredients of pet products, cars, women's handbags, children's car seats and more, creating the largest database yet of independent tests of toxic chemicals in consumer goods.
By redirecting even a portion of the over $14 billion that leaves our economy
each year to import petroleum products, Michigan could become a
leader in developing and using sustainable homegrown fuels and advanced
battery technologies.
In a decision issued today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reversed its 2005 decision and accepted a petition from a dozen environmental and public health organizations to immediately begin rulemaking to ban lead wheel balancing weights.
Environment groups expressed concern and dismay with the "new" General Motors (GM) claim that it's not responsible for funding the recycling of mercury switches from its old vehicles. The groups are demanding that the company continue meeting its obligations to fund legacy mercury recovery costs from GM end-of-life vehicles.
Governor Jennifer Granholm's Executive Directive (2009-4), released today, reflects the unique consensus on Michigan energy policy reforms reached recently by a diverse group of leaders from manufacturing, automotive industries, utility companies, environmental groups, universities, and government.
During the mayoral campaign, Mayor Dave Bing stated that he supports an
end to incineration of Detroit's trash, "The City cannot sell what
it burns," in his support for the New Business Model for Detroit Solid
Waste. Mayor Bing's immediate action on the proposed City Budget is crucial
to ending incineration of Detroit trash and expanding the business opportunities
based on materials recovery.
Almost 30 percent of Dow's voting shareholders voted to urge the company
to report on progress to clean up a massive contamination site
at Dow's mid-Michigan global headquarters. This is the third year in a row
that this resolution has received significant support from shareholders.
The state's leading health, medical, health-affected, and environmental
organizations as well as thousands of parents celebrated today's
House passage of the Children's Safe Products Act (HB 4763-69)
as a first step toward protecting children from toxic chemicals
in children's products.
Backed by a 25-foot inflatable rubber ducky at press events around the state, some of the state's
leading health, medical, health-affected and environmental organizations enthusiastically supported
the recently introduced Safe Children's Products Act as a first step to protecting children from toxic
chemicals in children's products. The Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health will be
holding an Earth Day (April 22) citizen action day at the Capitol to help move the bills (HB 4763-69) swiftly.
The annual membership meeting of the Ecology Center will feature
acclaimed investigative scientist John Warner, co-founder of the
field of Green Chemistry, and founder and chief of the world’s first
green chemistry institute, the Warner Babcock Institute, in Massachusetts.
The event takes place on Thursday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m., in the Pendleton
Room of the Michigan Union, 530 S. State Street, in Ann Arbor.
HB 4699 -- which would phase-out a toxic flame retardant (Deca-BDE) in mattresses, residential furniture, televisions, and computers -- was introduced today by Representative Deb Kennedy and a bi-partisan group of 21 cosponsors and referred to the House Committee on Great Lakes & Environment.
Leading health, medical and environmental groups in Michigan praised today’s
88-20 bipartisan vote to help protect children and our Great Lakes from an
outdated treatment for lice and scabies. The Michigan House of Representatives
overwhelmingly passed HB 4402 to restrict pharmaceutical use of the toxic pesticide
lindane.
Health, medical and environmental organizations praised the Michigan House
Great Lakes & Environment Committee for overwhelmingly advancing important
legislation (HB 4402) protecting children's health today.
Citizens today applauded Gov. Jennifer Granholm's far-reaching announcement to fundamentally change how Michigan fuels its energy needs. The new plan, which prioritizes clean energy, has put Michigan's coal rush on hold, requiring all new and expanded coal plant developers to go back to the drawing board and consider cleaner energy alternatives to the coal plants.
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