Gov. Granholm, State Legislature OK Bills Limiting Lead in Children’s Products

Health, environmental and child advocacy groups praised Michigan legislation signed by Gov. Granholm that limits toxic lead in children’s products. Amid a public furor over toy recalls — and just weeks after the release of www.healthytoys.org — the new Michigan standards protect children from high lead levels in items such as toys, childcare articles, lunchboxes and children’s jewelry. The rules fill a void in federal laws, which currently apply only to lead levels in paint.

Consumers Respond with
Overwhelming Demand for More
Information About Chemicals in Toys


After overwhelming response to www.HealthyToys.org — a holiday shopping guide to toxic chemicals in toys released this month with more than 230,000 visitors — The Ecology Center and the Washington Toxics Coalition announced results of another 22 popular children’s toys and products tested for lead and other harmful chemicals. These were selected from over 4,500 nominated via the test my toy feature on the site, where visitors vote for toys not already tested.

Lead, Cadmium, and Other Harmful Chemicals Found in Popular Children’s Toys — Leading Environmental Health Groups Release Testing Results Today at www.HealthyToys.org

The Ecology Center, a Michigan-based nonprofit organization, today released the results of their testing of 1,200 popular children's toys for toxic chemicals at www.HealthyToys.org. Along with the Washington Toxics Coalition and other leading environmental health groups across the country, the Ecology Center developed this site to better inform consumers about the products they will be purchasing this holiday season.

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.

Say NO to Coal in Michigan!

Seven new dirty coal plants threaten Michigan - tell state legislators they must stop more global warming pollution and invest in Michigan's clean energy future. Sign the online petition now! Ecology Center is working with partners across the state as part of the Clean Energy Now campaign to gather petition signatures.

Gov. Granholm Joins Midwest Governors to Take Action on Energy Security, Climate Stewardship

Michigan conservation, environmental and faith-based organizations applaud Gov. Jennifer Granholm and six other Midwestern leaders for taking bold action to revitalize communities, create new jobs and protect natural resources. The Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord commits the states to develop within the next year a regional carbon cap and trade agreement to reduce global warming pollution. It is an essential step forward to protect the Great Lakes.

Legal Action Cites Chrysler, Producers for Continuing Use of Lead-Based Wheel Weights

The Center for Environmental Health (CEH-California), working with the Ecology Center, today initiated legal action to stop the sale of lead-based wheel weights in the state of California, due to the threat of lead pollution to the state's waterways from wheel weights that fall from cars and trucks. CEH notified the major producers of wheel weights and Chrysler, a leading auto maker, that the lead-based weights are illegal under state's safe drinking water law.  Also see October EcoLink article.

Ecology Center Blasts Latest DTE Announcement
on Green Currents Program

Ann Arbor environmentalists panned Detroit Edison's recent announcement that it would only purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) from the Stoney Corners wind farm to carry out its so-called "GreenCurrents" program. "Detroit Edison should be purchasing wind power, not wind certificates," said David Wright, Ecology Center Clean Energy Program Director.

The Truth About DTE's GreenCurrents

If you live in southeast Michigan, you've recently received a brochure touting a renewable energy program from DTE with your latest energy bill. Here's the truth about the GreenCurrents program and the state of renewable energy in Michigan.

First-Ever Ranking of Toxic Chemicals in Child Car Seats Released at HealthyCar.org

Crash tests aren't the only way to prove the safety of a car seat, according to new research released by the Ecology Center. Consumers can now look up which car seats rank the best and worst in terms of toxic chemical content at www.healthycar.org. Are you looking to buy a new car seat, or wondering if your child's current car seat is safe? Visit this site and search by model, or comparison shop between different models.