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Mike Garfield
Director
734-761-3186 x104 michaelg@ecocenter.org

Jeff Gearhart
Auto Project Campaign Director
734-761-3186 x117 jeffg@ecocenter.org

Mike Shriberg
Policy Director
734-761-3186 x108 mikes@ecocenter.org

About Us

Press Releases

2010

January 27, 2019: Michigan House Overwhelmingly Passes Ban on Toxic Flame Retardant

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.

January 21, 2010:Reductions in Toxic Chemical Exposure Would Make Michigan Healthier, Wealthier, New Report Finds

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

October 8, 2009: "Body Burden" Study Reveals Toxic Chemicals in Michigan State Rep & Prominent Pediatrician

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.

October 7, 2009: Midwest Clean Energy Proposal Sets New, High National Standard, Groups Say

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.

September 16, 2009: New Database on Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Products Reveals Lead, Arsenic, PVC, & Hazardous Flame Retardants in School Supplies, Pet Products, Cars, and More

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.

September 8, 2009: New Study Finds Low-Carbon Fuels Policy Essential to Michigan's Leadership Role in Breaking America's Oil Addiction

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.

August 26, 2009: Environmental Protection Agency Moves to Ban Sale of Toxic Lead Tire Balancing Weights for Cars

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.

August 13, 2009: Groups Demand That GM Fulfill Its Obligation to Recover Mercury From Old Vehicles

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.

July 30, 2009: Climate Council and Gov. Granholm: Michigan must forge ahead with ambitious plan to cut greenhouse gases, become energy independent and create jobs

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.

May 27, 2009: Coalition Calls for Mayor Bing to do the Right Thing: Outrage at Council’s reversal on New Business Model for Solid Waste and Ending of Incineration

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.

May 14, 2009: Huge Dow Shareholder Vote Urges Transparency on Cleanup

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.

May 13, 2009: House Passage of Landmark Children's Safe Products Act Hailed by Health & Environmental Organizations, Parents & Toy Store Owners

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.

April 20, 2009: Safe Children's Products Act Hailed by Health & Environmental Groups

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.

April 8, 2009: Green Chemistry - The Next Big Thing for the New Green Economy

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.

March 25, 2009: Bill to Restrict Toxic Flame Retardant Introduced

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.

March 17, 2009: Michigan House Votes 88-20 to Restrict Pharmaceutical Pesticide Lindane

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.

March 11, 2009: House Committee Overwhelmingly Passes Restrictions on Dangerous 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.

February 3, 2009: Granholm Slams Brakes on MI Coal Rush

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.