2006 Press Releases
December 13, 2006: New European Chemical Law Means Major Changes for Michigan
After years of controversy, the European Parliament passed the most extensive
overhaul of chemicals regulation globally since the mid 1970's. The law requires
the chemical industry to gather data on chemicals in everyday commerce, and
will have major implications for U.S.-based businesses. Some Michigan companies
have significant exports to European Union countries or have extensive operations
in Europe. "This marks a watershed for chemicals management globally," said
Tracey Easthope, MPH, Environmental Health Director of the Ecology Center.
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.
October 18, 2006: Michigan’s Governor Signs
Directive on Green Chemistry
Michigan public health and environmental leaders today applauded a precedent-setting
initiative signed Tuesday by Governor Granholm that will make the state a national
leader in the fast-growing field of green chemistry. The directive promotes
safe technologies and innovations aimed at lowering health risks and preventing
harmful chemical pollution at the source.
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 15, 2006: Ecology Center blasts lawsuit
by pharmaceutical firm; Will continue to fight to protect children from harmful
chemicals
The Ecology Center will continue to fight to protect children from harmful chemicals,
despite a lawsuit filed against us by Morton Grove Pharmaceuticals (which claims
to be the maker of products containing lindane) designed to stifle public debate.
All uses of lindane have been banned in 52 countries and the state of California.
The EPA recently banned its use in agriculture. "It makes no sense that
lindane can't be used on pets or plants or persons serving in the military,
but it can still be used on children," said Mike Garfield, Director of
the Ecology Center.
August 15, 2006: Dow's Dioxin Getting
Into People Too
Residents living in the Tittabawassee River floodplain near Dow Chemical had
median levels of dioxin in their blood 28 percent higher than a comparison group.
The $15 million Dow-funded study found that consumption of fish and wild game
and living in contaminated areas resulted in the increased levels. "From
worms to butterflies and from fish to deer, the entire watershed is contaminated,"
said Tracey Easthope of the Ecology Center.
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).
July 25, 2006: Groups Call on Mid-Michigan
Legislators to Lift Smoke Screen -- Misuse of Federal 'Action Level' Increases Dioxin Exposure
State representatives should stop misusing a federal 'action level' not designed
for setting cleanup standards for the highly toxic chemical dioxin, charged
several environmental organizations who oppose weakening Michigan's protective
standard for dioxin in soils. "What many elected officials have attempted
to do is absolve Dow Chemical for contaminating an entire region. Raising the
"safe" level to a non-existent federal level is shameful."
July 10, 2006: Federal Review: Yes, dioxin is
still toxic!
Dioxin -- a chemical released for decades by Midland-based Dow Chemical Co.
into the Saginaw Bay watershed -- is toxic. It threatens the immune system,
and can cause several disorders, including cancer. All those conclusions, reached
years ago by scientists and the Environmental Protection Agency, were reaffirmed
in a National Academies review of the proposed EPA Dioxin Reassessment. >>> Also see this press release.
March 9, 2006: Tentative Agreement Reached
on National Auto Mercury Switch Recovery Program
This week, representatives from the automobile and auto recycling industries,
environmental community, states and the US EPA reached a tentative agreement
on elements of a national program for recovering up to 80 tons of mercury switches
from scrapped automobiles, most of which now ends up in our air when auto scrap
is remelted in steel recycling plants.
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.
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