Clean car campaign Press Room

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.

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.

2007

December 5, 2007: Federal fuel economy agreement protects jobs, environment; Dingell, Pelosi break logjam, craft forward-looking energy pact

Leading Michigan environmental groups today applauded U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell for crafting a landmark agreement to increase automotive fuel economy by 40 percent as part of a national energy bill.

May 16, 2007: First-Ever Ranking of Toxic Chemicals in Child Car Seats Released Today at HealthyCar.org

Crash tests aren’t the only way to prove the safety of a car seat, according to new research released today by the Ecology Center. Beginning today, consumers can look up which car seats rank the best and worst in terms of toxic chemical content at www.HealthyCar.org. Anyone looking to buy a new car seat, or wondering if their child.s current car seat is safe, can visit this site and search by model, or comparison shop between different models.

March 20,2007: HealthyCar.Org Released Today As First-Ever Consumer Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Cars

Today the Ecology Center released the first-ever consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars at www.HealthyCar.org. Over 200 of the most popular 2006- and 2007-model vehicles in the U.S. were tested for chemicals that off-gas from indoor auto parts such as the steering wheel, dashboard, armrests and seats. These chemicals become part of the air we breathe contributing to "new car smell" and a variety of acute and long-term health concerns. Since the average American spends more than 1.5 hours in a car every day, toxic chemical exposure inside vehicles is a major source of potential indoor air pollution.

2006

November 15, 2006: Ford and Honda Join Toyota as Leaders in Using Environmentally-Friendly, Safe Plastics for Car Interiors

The Ecology Center released its second annual "Automotive Plastics Report," which grades the country's eight leading car manufacturers on their plastics policies and practices. Although all companies can still make great strides in order to be completely safe for the environment and public health, Ford and Honda have made significant improvements since last year, joining Toyota as leaders in the movement toward using sustainable plastics in indoor auto parts.

September 21, 2006: Labor/Environmental Alliance Says Advanced Technology Key to Auto Industry Future

At a Lansing news conference today, an alliance of labor and environmental leaders challenged Michigan legislators to embrace an innovative plan to help the state's industries create thousands of good jobs in advanced automotive and new energy technologies. The group outlined specific proposals they believe will invigorate Michigan's economy, protect Michigan's environment, and help the nation end dependence on foreign oil.

August 11, 2006: Landmark New National Program to Collect Mercury Switches from Automobiles

A landmark agreement was announced that will greatly reduce a major source of mercury from the environment by creating a new, industry-funded, national program for recovering mercury switches from vehicles before they are dismantled and melted for recycling. The agreement was reached after years of research, advocacy and coalition-building by Environmental Defense and Ecology Center, working closely with the vehicle dismantlers, vehicle shredders, steelmakers, states, the auto industry and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

January 25, 2006: In Wake of High-Profile Study on Air Pollution in Cars, Volvo, Hyundai Move Toward Elimination of Dangerous Chemicals

International Attention for Ecology Center's Report on Toxic Chemicals in Cars Serves as Wake-Up Call for Car Manufacturers and Consumers - Mercedes, Chrysler, Toyota and Subaru Urged to Reduce Highest Levels of Toxic Chemicals Used to Make Interior Auto Parts.

January 11, 2006: High Levels of Toxic Chemicals Found in Car Interiors, New Study Says

Seat cushions, arm rests, floor coverings and plastic parts used in most car interiors are made with toxic chemicals known to pose major public health risks. A first-of-its-kind report by the Ecology Center found significantly higher levels of PBDEs in vehicle dust and windshield wipe samples than those found in homes and offices in previous studies.

2005

August 15th, 2005: EPA Balks on Banning Major Automotive Lead Use

Environmentalists criticized the decision by the Environmental Protection Agency to reject a request to ban the use and sale of lead-containing weights used to balance wheels on vehicles. The Ecology Center, a Michigan-based environmental advocacy organization, had asked EPA to ban the sale of one off the largest unregulated sources of lead to the environment, automotive wheel balancing weights. The Ecology Center is now considering legal action to compel EPA action, along with ramped up efforts to pass legislation at the state level to ban the sale of lead-containing wheel weights.

June 24, 2005: UAW-Environmental Partnership Showcases Fuel-Efficient Vehicle Technologies Made in Southeast Michigan

The UAW, environmental leaders and state officials joined together in a unique show of support for greater automobile fuel-efficiency. This unprecedented partnership, known as the Green Machines Tour, showcased new vehicles and technologies -- currently or soon to be produced in southeast Michigan -- that labor and environmental leaders say are key to enhancing the competitiveness of the region's automobile industry.

2004

December 9, 2004: Bipartisan Commission Supports Tax Credit for Production of Advanced Technology vehicles and Components in the U.S.

A bipartisan group of top energy experts from industry, government, labor, academia, and environmental and consumer groups has released a consensus strategy that recommends providing consumer and manufacturer tax incentives to encourage domestic production and boost sales of efficient hybrid and advanced diesel vehicles.

August 4, 2004: Groups Kick-Off Midwest "Green Machines" Tour to Promote UAW Jobs and Cleaner Environment

Kansas City, MO - As the first U.S.-made hybrid was unveiled, a coalition of environmental and labor leaders kicked-off the region-wide Green Machines Tour, bringing together labor, environmental organizations, and the auto industry to promote hybrids and other fuel-efficient technologies.

March 15, 2004: Ann Arbor is First City to Begin Phase-Out of Lead Weights

The City of Ann Arbor has started replacing lead wheel balancing weights with lead-free alternatives in vehicles that are in the city fleet. The City has joined forces with nonprofit Ecology Center's "Lead-Free Wheels" program to install zinc and iron weights on city vehicles.

March 15, 2004: Minnesota is First State to Begin Phase-Out of Lead Weights

The State of Minnesota is replacing lead wheel-balancing weights on state fleet vehicles with lead-free alternatives. The Minnesota Department of Administration's Travel Management Division and the Office of Environmental Assistance have joined with the nonprofit Ecology Center's "Lead-Free Wheels" program that substitutes zinc and iron products for lead weights.

2003

February 6, 2003: President's "Freedom Car" Plan Does Nothing to Address Current Fuel Economy

Lansing, MI--Today, as President Bush reiterated his call for a hydrogen-powered "Freedom Car," Michigan environmentalists fear his announcement is more empty promises from the administration and domestic automakers.

January 3, 2003: Hybrids Can Revolutionize Roads with 60 MPG Cars and Trucks (But Automakers Can't Skimp on Technology)

America's cars and trucks can reach an average of 60 miles per gallon by the end of the next decade if automakers use the best hybrid vehicle technologies and mass-produce them fleet-wide, according to a new report released today by the Union of concerned Scientists.

2002

December 19, 2002: Automotive Mercury Switch Study Released

The study results confirm that nearly 5,000 lbs. of mercury are contained in vehicles on Michigan's roads and that an estimated 239 pounds of mercury are in convenience lighting switches in scrapped vehicles each year.

 

Back to Clean Car Campaign News Room