Press Releases, 2001

December 18, 2001: Holcim Proposes To Burn Toxic Waste In Dundee
Holcim (formerly Holnam, Inc.) has applied for a permit to burn 79 different types of waste in its Dundee, Michigan (20 minutes south of Ann Arbor) cement kiln. Holcim may be attempting to cut cost by burning toxic wastes rather than moving to more efficient dry and semi-dry processes. Environmentalists and local residents today announced plans to oppose the proposal and called on the plant to modernize their operations.

November 27, 2001: Automotive Mercury Switches to Be Replaced
The Ecology Center and Washtenaw County Department of Environment and Infrastructure Services are co-sponsoring a free automotive mercury switch replacement to the public on Saturday, December 1st.

November 13, 2001: Nationwide 'Switch-the-Switch' Program Calls On Automakers To Take Responsibility For Toxic Mercury In Vehicles
The Clean Car Campaign has joined forces with automotive dealerships, state and city officials, and environmental organizations across the nation today to kick off a "Switch-the-Switch" event to help protect the public and the environment from toxic mercury.

October 30, 2001: MDEQ Air Permit for New GM Lansing Plant Allows Too Much Pollution
The Ecology Center in conjuntion with the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) filed an administrative appeal today with the EPA asking them to review the decision that the new General Motors assembly plant in Delta Township did not have to install a cost effective pollution control technology as mandated under the federal Clean Air Act.

August 2, 2001: Detroit Taxpayers Take Another Hit on the New Beard Elementary School
Unconcerned MDEQ gives approval to DPS to move ahead with New Beard construction despite inadequate testing for PCB's and exhortations from concerned neighborhood taxpayers. Residents have filed a lawsuit moving for a preliminary injunction on the site until proven safe.

July, 2, 2001: Environmental Groups Call On Automakers To Replace Toxic Mercury
The Clean Car Campaign, with the support of 26 environmental organizations, today called on Ford and other automakers to remove toxic mercury from vehicles in for service, repair, or recall.

June 7, 2001: Report Uncovers Hidden Dangers in the Home
Various inadequately tested vinyl products have been found to be needlessly exposing children to several hazardous substances. These substances seem to cause illnesses from liver cancer to kidney damage in animals. The manufacturers of these childrens' products include Carter's, Mannington, and even Gerber.

April 25 , 2001: Buffalo Police Fleet Sheds Toxic Mercury
The Buffalo Police Department has joined forces with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and Great Lakes United by participating in a Western New York Program to replace the switches in their police vehicles with mercury-free alternatives.

April 19, 2001: ISRI calls for Mercury-Free Automobiles Bound for Recycling
The Insistute of Scrap Recycling Industries announced today that, as part of its Design for Recycling initiative, ISRI joins environmental and state and local governments in calling for the establishment of a nationwide recovery and collection program for mercury switches in automobiles that are to be recycled.

April 1, 2001: Canadian Auto Workers(CAW) Council Resolution on Mercury
A written resolution by the Canadian Auto Workers in order to work toward the elimination of the use of mercury in automobiles.

February 9, 2001: New Report Details State DEQ's Continuing "Dereliction of Duty"
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is accused by a coalition of 20 environmental groups of "protecting industry rather than protecting people and the environment" in a 20-page report released Friday. A link to the newest report, as well as last fall's report, is included within.

January 26, 2001: Automotive Recyclers Association Challenges Manufacturers to Take Responsibility for Vehicle Mercury They Produce
The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA), concerned about the disposal process of automobile parts containing mercury, has suggested that the final responsibility for collecting and disposing of the mercury switches should logically fall more on vehicle manufacturers.

January 22, 2001: Automobile Industry Major Source of Toxic Mercury Pollution
Despite 1995 commitments to end its use, U.S. automakers continue to use mercury in autos.

January 10, 2001: Environmental Groups Rally at Entrance of North American International Auto Show
On Sunday, January 7, 2001 at 9:45am, the entry drive to the North American International Auto Show was the host to a car show of a different sort; one meant to capture the attention of the "Big Three" automakers.

January 5, 2001: Consumers Demand Clean Cars
Environmental groups rally at the entrance of the North American Auto Show with a circle of hybrids.

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