EcoLink, E-Newsletter of the Ecology Center

EcoLink Archive

A U G U S T 2 0 0 9

Victory! EPA Moves to Ban Sale of Toxic Lead Tire Balancing Weights for Cars	Groups Demand That GM Fulfill Its Obligation to Recover Mercury From Old Vehicles
Rally for Clean Energy Jobs	Rules of Thumb
Ecoride 2009 Results and Prizes	HomeGrown Festival '09

News

Victory! EPA 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. Lead in wheel weights represents one of the largest unregulated uses of lead in consumer products today. These wheel weights are used to balance vehicle tires so they don't vibrate as they spin. In a separate action today, EPA reached a settlement of a lawsuit to fix a flawed rulemaking to deal with the largest source of lead poisoning—lead in paint from renovation, repair and painting activities.

Lead weights falling off car tire rims is one of the largest ongoing releases of lead into the environment. "1.6 million pounds of lead from wheel weights is left falling off of cars each year where anyone can find and possibly ingest it," said Jeff Gearhart, Research Director for the Ecology Center. "Banning lead wheel weights will greatly protect kids from lead poisoning."

Currently, there is an estimated 12.5 million pounds of lead left uncontrolled in the environment. "Cars and trucks grind the wheel weights into a powder that spreads into the neighborhoods along our busy streets, especially the city streets where traffic is heaviest and the stops, starts, and bumps are more common," said Tom Neltner, Co-Chair of the National Toxic Team for the Sierra Club. "EPA's action makes it clear that the agency recognizes that once released into our neighborhoods, lead is tough to cleanup. Pollution prevention is the best way to protect our health and our environment."

Today's decision follows several state actions. The state of Washington passed a ban in 2009 which will go into effect in 2011. Maine passed a ban which will go into effect in 2010. California and Iowa are currently considering similar bans. Vermont has banned lead wheel weights for state-owned vehicles by 2010 and for all new vehicles by 2011.

In 2005 the Ecology Center petitioned EPA on the same matter, asking the agency to prohibit the manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce, use and improper disposal of lead wheel balancing weights. EPA denied that petition on August 8, 2005. Now, four years after denying children the opportunity to dramatically reduce their exposure to a major source of new lead on their streets and in their neighborhoods, the EPA is taking action.

While EPA launched a voluntary program working with industry nearly a year ago to address concerns about lead wheel weights, the coalition groups believe that a mandatory phase-out of lead weights is needed to protect children, the public and the environment. New vehicles are now lead-free, but the groups' petition sought to eliminate lead wheel weights from use in aftermarket tires, which are believed to account for about 80 percent of all wheel weights used.

The coalition groups are: Ecology Center, Sierra Club, Alliance for Healthy Homes, Center for Environmental Health, Environmental Health Watch, Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, United Parents Against Lead, Louisiana ACORN.

Press Coverage

EPA Announces New Steps to Protect Americans from Lead Poisoning
Canadian Driver: U.S. to Ban Lead Wheel Weights
Eco Factory: EPA Takes New Steps to Protect American Children From Lead Poisoning
For more information, visit leadfreewheels.org.

Groups Demand That GM Fulfill Its Obligation
to Recover Mercury From Old Vehicles

Today, 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.

"GM should not be hiding behind a bankruptcy proceeding as an excuse for not meeting its on-going obligation to fund a vital program for keeping mercury out of the environment," said Charles Griffith, Director of the Ecology Center's Clean Car Campaign.

According to the industry estimates, 54% of all vehicles containing mercury are GM models. Therefore, it appears that GM is responsible for funding half the costs of the industry collection program nationally.

GM's lack of financial support detracts further from an overall lack of financing necessary for the national program to operate effectively, say advocates. Last month, a separate fund that helped pay financial incentives to auto dismantlers for turning in switches ran out of cash.

Furthermore, GM has denied responsibility for paying state mandated incentives for the collection of auto mercury switches. Ten states have passed mercury switch legislation requiring automakers to pay for switch recycling and provide incentives to auto dismantlers for collecting switches.

A variety of auto mercury light switches found in different makes and models of vehicles

By not paying bounties mandated by states, GM is also jeopardizing the effectiveness of state programs as well, say advocates.

"GM's latest maneuver throws a monkey wretch into state programs-- if they stop paying bounties," said Michael Bender, director of the Mercury Policy Project.

In addition, the recently adopted federal "Cash for Clunkers" program is also causing further difficulties for the programs, because a lot more vehicles are also now being retired.

"With Cash for Clunkers adding more mercury-containing vehicles to the end-of-life pool, it's extremely unfortunate timing for the major financial supporter to be walking away from the table," stated Griffith.

Mercury switches were used to operate hood and trunk convenience lights in vehicles made before 2004, when automakers stopped their use. Upwards of 100 million of these devices were used in vehicles.

Unless they are removed first, the mercury from auto switches is released to the air when vehicles are recycled at steel mills. This source contributes to both local and global mercury pollution and contamination of fish.

More information

Rally for Clean Energy Jobs

While electricity demand drops in Michigan and state and federal programs promise "green jobs" and investment in renewable power, more than 500 clean energy advocates rallied on the Capitol steps in Lansing to keep up pressure against coal plant construction and expansion.

Clean Energy Now, a coalition of over 40 environmental groups including the Ecology Center, organized this Rally for Clean Energy Jobs to support Michigan's clean energy future—and as a grassroots response to the proposal of new coal plants in Michigan.

Clean Energy Associate for the Ecology Center, Monica Patel, tabled the event and discussed Physicians for Social Responsibility's "Code Black" campaign. "Michigan has been one of the few states blind-sided by coal plant proposals throughout the last couple of years, and we believe it's important to make sure that the impacts of these plants on our health doesn't go unnoticed. Health professionals have irreplaceable knowledge about the impacts of environmental pollution from coal plants, so we're happy to engage Michigan health professional via PSR at this critical juncture."

In February, with five new coal projects seeking permits from the state, Gov. Jennifer Granholm slowed the coal rush by ordering the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to evaluate whether the proposed coal plants are the most feasible and prudent way to meet the states power needs.

Some called this move a "moratorium on coal", and within months the developers of two proposed plants—the one at Northern Michigan University in Marquette and the LS Power plant in Midland—withdrew their permit applications. Two other projects—Wolverine Power's proposed 600 megawatt plant in Rogers City and Consumers Energy's 930 megawatt plant in Essexville—have submitted analysis reports as to why they are prudent and feasible. The public comment periods have ended and thousands of pages of comments have been submitted.

Monica Patel, Clean Energy Associate for the Ecology Center

The rally speakers and activists took aim at plans in Michigan to build at least six more massive coal plants. At the rally, citizens spoke out for a clean energy economy in Michigan, which will create jobs and bring money into the state, rather than the construction of new coal plants, which will continue to weaken its economy.

"The last thing we need is for another of our major corporations to go into a death spiral," said Peter Sinclair of Midland, who produces Climate Denial Crock of the Week.

Yet this could happen, he said in an interview, because rising construction costs and expected new penalties for carbon emissions make coal power plants expensive, risky investments. "In this climate, energy efficiency is the most stable intelligent investment."

Top Democrats remain divided on the wisdom of pursuing coal. In an interview with The Saginaw News, Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon, slammed the DEQ for taking time to consider permits for new coal plants. Dillon told The News that that DEQ needs to know that it cannot take "months and months" to approve permits and that DEQ's deliberation on air permits gives a "perception that we're not a friendly place to do business."

Take Action!

Let your legislators know you want Clean Michigan Energy & Good Michigan Jobs!

Rules of Thumb

By Carolyn Raffensperger

If it's good for the land, it's good for the body.
If it's good for future generations, it's good for this generation.
If it's good for the Earth, it's good for the economy.
If it's good for other species, it's good for humans.

Since my dad is a doctor he is often stopped by people on the street and asked for medical advice. Lawyers like me have amusing stories of advice on the fly—how to overturn grandmother's will or whether they can sue an obnoxious neighbor. There's only one question I'm regularly asked as an environmentalist and that is whether something is safe or not. Last week, at my local fitness center, my treadmill neighbor asked me whether the pesticides they sprayed in her house were safe for her two little girls.

This question of safety threads through most environmental health issues. We have some information about the health problems associated with pesticides. But what about factory hog farming? Or bisphenol A in baby cups? Or mercury in dental fillings? And what about a specific combination of pesticides?

I wonder if the question of whether this is safe is the right question? I find it troublesome for two reasons. First, it is very hard to prove safety. Our current regulatory system allows products on the market that haven't been proven to cause demonstrable, unacceptable harm. And guess who has to prove the harm? We the people are responsible for showing that something is harmful even if the manufacturer or purveyor of the product hasn't tested it. So we get caught in a legal trap. It's really hard to know whether something is safe given the regulatory approach of "don't ask don't tell."

But the main problem with the question of whether any single product is safe is that it is too narrow. It isn't a systems question. Systems thinking stands in contrast to the reductionist approach that looks at one thing in isolation. Putting a product or a chemical within the larger context helps us understand its relationship to other parts of the system and how it might function within that framework.

The question, "Is this safe?" usually means, "Is this product safe for me and my family?" That misses the spiral of concerns that arise from the scale of a product. For instance, one car doesn't cause much pollution but millions of cars are a health hazard for the planet. We also miss the life cycle of the item. Sure, that plastic bag from the grocery store is safe unless your baby puts it over her head, but the plastic debris floating in the ocean, the result of shipping plastics all over the world, is wreaking havoc on the seas and their creatures.

So here are four rules of thumb that are systemic and get us closer to a clear-eyed look at the environmental and public health consequences of the things we use in our daily lives.

If it's good for the land, it's good for the body.
If it's good for future generations, it's good for this generation.
If it's good for the Earth, it's good for the economy.
If it's good for other species, it's good for humans.

These statements cannot be reversed. That is, what is good for this generation might not be good for future generations. Nor can we say that what is good for the economy is good for the Earth. But I suspect that if we can say this product is good for the land, it's good for future generations, it's good for the earth and it's good for other species, you can bet it's safe.

EcoRide 2009 Results and Prizes

And the Grand Prize Bike from Wheels In Motion goes to...

John Lloyd, who raised $1,755! This is almost twice as much as last year's top fundraiser. John also helped as a volunteer at one of the EcoRide checkpoints.

The teams did great this year, too.

Team Ezekiel beat out the other teams with a grand total of $1,095!

All of the top fundraisers will receive prize packages with gift certificates donated by local businesses.

All of our riders did a fantastic job helping raise over $33,000 for the Ecology Center's programs.

Many of you weren't too far behind our 2009 prize winners... so next year the bike could be yours!

To see some really cool pictures and read some nice press coverage, click on the links below:

Although the prize deadline has passed, you can still turn in EcoRide pledges any time. Remember that EcoRide donations are tax-deductible and all proceeds benefit the Ecology Center's programs for a safe and healthy environment.

Don't forget to check out our sponsors who helped make the EcoRide happen.

Thanks again for being a part of the 2009 EcoRide!

Events

HomeGrown Festival '09

New Venue at Ann Arbor's Farmer's Market

Last year, more than 1,000 people braved a steady downpour to celebrate local food and community at Ann Arbor's first HomeGrown Festival. In spite of the weather, they enjoyed specially-prepared local cuisine, moved to a variety of soul-stirring music, and learned about the many benefits of supporting locally- and sustainably-grown foods.

This year's Festival will keep the weather at bay under cover of the Ann Arbor Farmers' Market Pavilion from 5-10pm on Saturday, September 12. With growing awareness and appreciation of local foods, Festival planners expect some 2,000 to 3,000 Farmers' Market shoppers, local residents, and visitors to attend. The Festival will once again showcase food prepared by local chefs using locallygrown products. Cooking demos, live music and other entertainment, information from non-profit organizations, and kids' activities will also return. New this year will be a Michigan beer and wine tasting venue, Made-In-Michigan vendors and a Festival Store.

"We're happy to be able to feature a lot more local products this year," said Shannon Brines, chair of this year's Festival. "Most people think of apples, cherries and blueberries when they think of Michigan. They don't realize how many different great products are made right here or how many local businesses are committed to supporting sustainable lifestyles. The festival will give them a chance to find out." Items will range from clothing made from organically-grown cotton to locally produced honey and locally roasted coffee.

"We hope everyone will gain a new appreciation for the health, economic and environmental benefits of buying local."

Admission to the Festival is free. There is a charge for tasting samples and a variety of goods will be for sale by vendors.

Festival sponsors include People's Food Coop, Crazy Wisdom Bookstore & Tea Room, Ann Arbor Branch of the Woman's National Farm & Garden Association, Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP), Downtown Home and Garden, and Jackie Wright, Realtor, Charles Reinhart Company.

Founded in 2007, HomeGrown Festival was created by a group of local residents who believe that buying food from local growers supports the local economy, contributes to a healthier lifestyle, and helps reduce consumption of fuel and other petrochemicals.

"There is growing interest in small-scale, community-based farming where fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat and poultry are produced without the use of commercial fertilizers, feed and drugs," explained Brines. "Continuing outbreaks of salmonella in large-scale shipments of produce have raised concerns about food that comes from anonymous sources. It's nice to actually know who grows the spinach and carrots you eat!"

Brines cites evidence that industrialized food production and globalized distribution systems are significant contributors to the climate crisis and to widespread health problems. He points out that one way for people to take direct action in their daily lives to address these serious problems is through buying locally-grown, sustainably-produced food and products. Buying local food not only addresses environmental quality, but also increases food security and keeps dollars circulating in the local community by investing in the Michigan economy.

Higher fuel prices have raised awareness of the amount of energy that goes into growing, processing and transporting conventional food supplies. The impact is evident in rising food prices, and there is growing concern about the potential effect on the environment of such high levels of energy use. Jason Frenzel, Festival co-chair, points to the seemingly simple act of living in Michigan and eating strawberries in December or grapes in January. "It requires enormous expenditures of energy to transport strawberries from California or grapes from Chile," he said.

"'Eating local' sometime requires a different way of thinking, but it has its own special rewards," said Brines, adding, "That's what HomeGrown Festival celebrates."

The Ecology Center serves as HomeGrown's financial fiduciary. Look for our booth at the festival where you will find all kinds of helpful information and children's activities, too.

To learn more about the HomeGrown Festival, visit homegrownfestival.org or call 734-995- 3663.

EcoLink — August 2009
An online publication of the Ecology Center

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