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Press Releases

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

Dow Chemical Investors Worth $305 Million Challenge Company on Social and Environmental Catastrophes
May 10, 2007
Shareholders representing $305 million will challenge Dow management at its annual stockholders' meeting to address concerns about the company's destructive impact on human health and the environment. Stockholders will vote on two resolutions related to contamination that Dow has failed to remediate -- dioxin contamination in mid-Michigan and abandoned waste in Bhopal, India; a third resolution addresses the asthma epidemic and links to pesticides made by Dow.

Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit in Chicago Against Ecology Center and Medical Professionals
May 9, 2007
A federal judge's ruling late last week dismissed a lawsuit brought against the Ecology Center and two Michigan pediatricians by Morton Grove Pharmaceuticals. In 2006, the Ecology Center, the pediatricians, and other medical, public health, and environmental organizations supported the Michigan Legislature's action to ban pharmaceutical products containing lindane, a chemical ingredient that was used in pesticides until the EPA recently withdrew its use in agriculture.

Celebrate Earth Week!  Join Us!
April 13, 2007
Step It Up! for Climate Change  APRIL 14
Energy Talk: Beyond Sustainability  APRIL 19
Dance for the Earth  APRIL 21
Earth Day Family Festival and Parade  APRIL 22
Earth Day Trivia Challenge  APRIL 22

HealthyCar.Org Released As First-Ever
Consumer Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Cars
March 20, 2007
The Ecology Center has 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.

RAA Introduces Complete Recycling Services
for Construction and Demolition
February 5, 2007
Recycle Ann Arbor, a national leader in recycling programs, now offers complete construction and demolition waste and recycling services, following its acquisition of Calvert's Rolloff Containers of Ann Arbor. Services include collection, transportation and processing of C&D wastes from commercial, industrial and residential building projects; a proprietary vehicle fleet; and a 10,000 square foot sorting and waste transfer facility.

Ann Arbor News Wrong on Greenbelt --
Land Preservation a Huge Success Story
January 22, 2007
Despite devoting much space to an article on the Ann Arbor Parks and Greenbelt Program, the Ann Arbor News unfortunately missed the big story. Simply said, the past 15 months have been the most successful period in land preservation history in Washtenaw County, for any community in Michigan, and possibly for any community in the Midwest. Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities are making major strides to preserve our community's best rural lands.

New European Chemical Law
Means Major Changes for Michigan
December 13, 2006
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.

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

Michigan’s Governor Signs Directive on Green Chemistry
October 18, 2006
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.

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

Ecology Center blasts lawsuit by pharmaceutical firm; Will continue to fight to protect children from harmful chemicals
August 15, 2006
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.

Dow's Dioxin Getting Into People Too
August 15, 2006
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.

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

Groups Call on Mid-Michigan Legislators to Lift Smoke Screen
-- Misuse of Federal 'Action Level' Increases Dioxin Exposure
July 25, 2006
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."

Federal Review: Yes, dioxin is still toxic!
July 10, 2006
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.

Tentative Agreement Reached on National
Auto Mercury Switch Recovery Program
March 9, 2006
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.

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

Major Corporations Phase Out PVC, “the Poison Plastic”
December 7, 2005
Microsoft, HP, Kaiser Permanente, Toyota and Honda make commitments to phase out PVC plastic, a common material in consumer packaging and products. They join the growing ranks of companies demonstrating concern about its health impacts. Studies link hazardous chemicals used and created during the PVC product lifecycle to cancer, reproductive and immune system damage, and asthma. Over 96,000 tons of PVC waste go into Michigan landfills every year.

Our State Cleanup Laws Are Under Attack
December 1, 2005
Legislators trying to protect Dow Chemical propose changing how Michigan manages cleanup laws -- with negative consequences. Cleanups would become slower and more expensive, while residents may lose the ability to force polluters to pay. Other provisions would prevent property owners from knowing about contamination. Help us send a strong message to the State Senate. HB4617 is opposed by environmental organizations and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. You can additionally sign a petition to force Dow to clean up its mess.

Testing Finds High Level of Mercury in Store-Bought Fish
in Michigan
September 16, 2005
The Ecology Center has released the results of a major 22-state mercury testing project which included samples of swordfish and tuna taken from Kroger in Michigan. The national project, led by Oceana and the Mercury Policy Project, confirmed that store-bought swordfish and tuna contain levels of mercury that the federal government has determined may be hazardous to human health, particularly children.

State Legislature Urged to Act Now to Stop Out-of-State Trash
September 12, 2005
As state House Republicans unveiled proposals for out-of-state waste contingent on action by Congress, environmentalists called for action now. "Michigan should not wait for the Feds," said Brad van Guilder of the Ecology Center, a key leader of Don't Trash Michigan. "We need to address the fundamental economics behind Michigan's trash problems -- it's too cheap to dump in landfills. The legislature can and should act quickly to pass dumping charge (surcharge) legislation to protect and benefit Michigan communities."

EPA Balks on Banning Major Automotive Lead Use
August 15, 2005
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. One of the largest unregulated sources of lead in the environment, the Ecology Center had asked the EPA to ban their sale. The Ecology Center is 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.

Ecology Center and the City of Ann Arbor to Host Third
Huron River Renaissance Clean Up
July 26, 2005
You are invited to participate in the third Huron River Renaissance Clean Up event on Saturday, August 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. At this last clean-up of the summer sponsored by the Ecology Center and the City of Ann Arbor, adult volunteers will canoe on Gallup Pond and help remove litter. Free canoe lessons, t-shirts, and lunch will be provided.

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

Environmentalists Testify to Urge Green Priorities for Jobs Bond
June 16, 2005
Noting trends favoring cleaner materials and cleaner energy, environmentalists challenged the legislature and the Governor to "green" the jobs bond. State environmental groups urged that priority be given to areas of rapid job growth that will also result in clean manufacturing, clean air and water, energy efficiency, preservation of farmland, and protection of the Great Lakes.

Environmental Groups Join for Beer & Bucks
June 6, 2005
Support the earth while having fun and enjoying award-winning brews! A special beer-tasting fundraiser for Clean Water Action and the Ecology Center will be hosted by Arbor Brewing Company (114 E. Washington in Ann Arbor) on Sunday, June 26 from 4-6pm. All proceeds from this first-ever joint fundraiser by the two prominent area environmental organizations will help fund programs to protect Michigan’s environment and the Great Lakes.

Ecology Center Moves to Ban Major Automotive Lead Use
May 17, 2005
Automotive wheel balancing weights are one of the largest unregulated sources of lead to the environment, accounting for an estimated 4,865 metric tons of lead being released onto U.S. roadways each year. The Ecology Center's "Lead Free Wheels" program has worked to install over 25,000 lead free weights (made of zinc and steel) in fleets around the country and has now petitioned EPA to ban the sale of lead weights within 2 years.

Sick of Dust: Chemicals in Common Products
-- a Needless Health Threat in Our Homes
March 22, 2005
A national study found 35 hazardous industrial chemicals in the common household dust samples taken from 70 homes across the U.S. including 10 in Michigan. This study is the first in the U.S. to look at a wide range of chemicals used in computers, cosmetics, upholstery, pesticides and other products. All of these chemicals are legal despite being internationally recognized as toxic or harmful to the immune and reproductive systems. Babies and young children are particularly at risk from exposure.

Clean Environment and Good Jobs
Ecology Center Annual Membership Meeting -- Sunday, April 3, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 Dixboro Rd.
March 10, 2005
The keynote speaker will be Bracken Hendricks, Executive Director of the Apollo Alliance -- a national coalition of labor, environmental, business, urban, and faith communities that supports good jobs and energy independence. The coalition's goals include diversifying U.S. energy sources to make them less dependent on imported oil and less polluting.

U.S. Automakers Receive Near Failing Grades on the Use of Environmentally Safe Plastics in Cars
February 23, 2005
U.S. automakers received nearly failing grades in the use of recyclable, safe plastics in vehicles, according to a report released today by the Michigan-based Ecology Center, in collaboration with Clean Production Action. The six top-selling automakers in the U.S. were graded on their commitment to using environmentally friendly plastics. Toyota led the group with a C, while Ford, Daimler Chrysler and General Motors were among the lowest scoring companies, all receiving Ds.

35th Anniversary Earth Day Celebration -- Sunday, April 24
February 17, 2005
Ann Arbor’s Earth Day Festival will again be held at the Farmers Market in the Kerrytown District. On Sunday, April 24 from 12:00 - 4:00 pm, everyone is invited to this free event, which will include live music & storytelling, live animal demonstrations, exhibits, Earth-friendly products, local artisans and environmental groups, as well as face painting and other hands-on activities. At 2 pm, the All Species Parade will wind through the market.

Groups Criticize Dow-Granholm Dioxin Deal
January 24, 2005
Environmentalists today sharply criticized an agreement between Dow Chemical and the Granholm administration, saying it fails to deliver a cleanup of dioxin contamination in the Saginaw Bay basin. "It's promoted as results-oriented, but the only result will be further delays, more studies, and it does little to protect the health of residents ... Dow's dioxin contamination is a public health threat, and Dow needs to start cleanup now," said Michelle Hurd Riddick, a Lone Tree Council member who lives in the basin. "It doesn't even rise to the level of a short-term fix," adds James Clift, Michigan Environmental Council Policy Director.

Health Advocates Applaud New State Ban on Flame Retardants
January 4, 2005
Michigan public health advocates and environmental groups cheered Governor Granholm's signing of landmark bills banning two dangerous flame retardants, and urged legislators to move quickly on a third related chemical. "This is an important first step to protect Michigan residents from chemicals ... [that] can damage the thyroid and impair the central nervous system," said Tracey Easthope, Environmental Health Director of the Ecology Center. The Michigan Environmental Council's James Clift states that "... to protect public health, we need to switch quickly to alternative chemicals that do not pose the same health risks."

Michigan Ranks Sixth in Nation for PVC Landfilled
December 7, 2004
A new report documents the hazards posed by PVC -- the "poison plastic." PVC is widely used in many products, including plastic pipes, vinyl siding, toys, tablecloths and disposable packaging. Billions of pounds of PVC are being thrown away in the U.S., but there is no 'away' as this waste poses perpetual hazards. "Burn PVC waste ... and it changes to cancer-causing dioxin," says Tracey Easthope, MPH, the Ecology Center's Environmental Health Director. "Bury it in landfills and it can pollute groundwater. Recycle PVC products and they contaminate the recycling process." The Ecology Center has joined a nationwide campaign to convince more corporations to phase out PVC use.

International Walk to School Day -- October 6, 2004
September 29, 2004
Walking to school has long been taken for granted as a simple necessity. Today, however, 90% of school children are driven to school. Schools have traffic congestion, while children become less fit and have less experience in the world around them. But a healthful trend is emerging. The Walk to School movement has participants in all 50 states and 30 countries who will walk or bike to school on October 6, demonstrating the many benefits of this apparently unremarkable exercise. Safe walking is now recognized as essential to the vitality of urban areas.

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

Citizens Meet with the Governor on Dioxin Contamination
June 22, 2004
In a meeting with Governor Jennifer Granholm, Lieutenant Governor John Cherry and Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Chester, residents of the dioxin-contaminated floodplain in mid-Michigan urged the Governor to protect public health and in particular, the region's children. Residents are concerned about recent attempts by Dow Chemical and several Midland area legislators with ties to the chemical giant to delay or prevent cleanup of their neighborhoods. They urged the Governor to be guided by the mountain of scientific evidence that details the hazards of dioxin, a known human carcinogen.

River Residents Demand Their Own Meeting with the Governor
June 7, 2004
Residents living in the most contaminated regions of mid-Michigan called on Governor Granholm to meet with them in response to recent attempts by some state representatives to weaken the state's dioxin standard. "We have to live amid the dioxin contamination, and wear masks when we mow our lawn... We demand that state officials protect our health, as they are sworn to," said Marcia Woodman, nurse and mother of three. Midland-area Republican representatives met with the governor to press their case to weaken cleanup standards, thus potentially exposing all Michigan residents to higher levels of dioxin.

House GOP Moves to Hamstring the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Halt Dioxin Cleanup Efforts
June 4, 2004
The House Appropriation Committee approved a budget for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) that eliminates the Hazardous Waste Management Division, reduces staff, and drops overall funding. Proponents admitted the cuts were an effort to derail MDEQ’s attempts to get Dow Chemical to clean up extensive dioxin contamination along the Tittabawassee and Saginaw Rivers. "The public health of our residents is not for sale -- and cannot be used as a bargaining chip to lower the cleanup cost of businesses that contaminate our communities," said Michelle Hurd Riddick of the Lone Tree Council.

Survey Showing Overhelming Support For Bottle Bill Expansion
May 26, 2004
During a press conference today at the capitol, the Bigger Better Bottle Bill Coalition called for legislative action on the expansion of Michigan's beverage container law, releasing survey results showing widespread support for the issue. “A random survey of registered Michigan voters shows widespread support for an expansion of the Bottle Bill,” explained Mary Pitcher of the Michigan Association for Conservation Districts. “Over 73% of those surveyed supported adding a 10-cent deposit to noncarbonated drinks such as water, juice, and ice tea.”

TOXIC FIRE RETARDANTS FOUND - FEDERAL PHASEOUT LEAVES AMERICANS AT RISK
May 12, 2004
In the first national tests for PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in household dust, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found high levels of the neurotoxic compounds in every home sampled, including one in Ann Arbor,Michigan. The phaseout of two widely used PBDEs will not protect Americans from exposure to brominated fire retardants linked to brain and nerve damage, according to nationwide tests of house dust that found unexpectedly high levels of a third retardant that will remain on the market.

“Walking School Bus” Kick-Off
May 7, 2004
With hopes of motivating children to walk for personal physical fitness and to limit the use of pollution producing automobiles, Ann Arbor’s Walking School Bus program started on Friday, May 7th at 8 AM in the morning. Naturalists, parents, and volunteers will lead groups of young people to observe natural elements such as the weather and wildlife as they cruise on foot to school by way of a predetermined mapped route.

U.S. Residents Carry Toxic Pesticides Above “Safe” Levels
May 11, 2004
Chemical Trespass: Pesticides in Our Bodies and Corporate Accountability, makes public for the first time an analysis of pesticide-related data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a study of levels of chemicals in 9,282 people nationwide. The report reveals that government and industry have failed to safeguard public health from pesticide exposures.

Bhopal Disaster 20 Years Later: Survivors Tell Their Stories
April 29, 2004
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Union Carbide gas leak that killed more than 20,000 people in Bhopal, India, the world’s worst industrial disaster. Two generations of victims continue to suffer the consequences. In 2001 Dow Chemical bought Union Carbide and maintains to this day that it has no liability in the industrial disaster. Rashida Bee and Champa Devi Shukla are two survivors of this incident. Come hear their stories and honor their struggles:
Detroit, Michigan Friday, May 7, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Ann Arbor, Michigan Saturday, May 8, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Dow Chemical: Risks for Investors
April 21, 2004
A new study has been released by a leading research firm that specializes in analyzing "non-traditional" investment risks and corporate social responsibility standards. Funded by the Ecology Center and released in New York, it details major underreported risks for Dow investors. These are international in scope, including contamination in Michigan and in Bhopal, India.

Mercury Pollution From Automobiles at Record Levels
April 7, 2004
According to a new report by the Ecology Center & Clean Car Campaign, a record 18,000 pounds of mercury pollution was released into the U.S. environment last year when scrap vehicles were recycled. An estimated 259,000 pounds of mercury have been released into the environment over the past 30 years.

Michigan Environmentalist Receives Lifetime Award;
Ecology Center Also Honors Four...
March 30, 2004
The first winner of the Herbert L. Munzel Award for Environmental Activism and four winners of its 2004 annual awards for outstanding environmental work in the past year are announced by the Ecology Center...

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

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

2004 EARTH DAY FESTIVAL
AT THE ANN ARBOR'S FARMERS MARKET
March 4, 2004
The public is invited to celebrate the urban environment with free entertainment, live animal demonstrations, displays and hands-on activities for all ages. Around 100 exhibit areas will feature non-profit environmental organizations, area artisans and vendors of Earth-friendly products. Come to Ann Arbor's Earth Day Festival at the Ann Arbor's Farmers Market in the Kerrytown District on Sunday, April 25 from 12:00 - 4:00 pm.

First Big Step for Out of State Trash Reform --
Package of Laws Advance Don't Trash Michigan Campaign
March 3, 2004
State lawmakers have passed a large package of bills designed to stem the flow of out-of-state waste into Michigan landfills. While these measures are welcome, everyone acknowledges the laws are first steps in the right direction. Activists from the Ecology Center and other groups will press for additional waste reduction solutions and for improved recycling options.

Widely Used Flame Retardants Break Down into
Banned Chemicals, Threaten Health
Febuary 18, 2004
A common flame retardant in the Great Lakes region illustrates the need to reform toxic chemical policy, according to a new report released by PIRGIM. Lab tests have linked the chemical -- closely related to two flame retardants recently banned in California -- to nerve damage and memory loss. Flame retardants (PBDEs) have also been detected at high levels in the breast milk of American women. "Safe alternatives to toxic flame retardants are readily available," comments Tracey Easthope of the Ecology Center, which is working with state representative Chris Kolb on legislation to reduce PBDE exposure in Michigan.

New Tufts Report Concludes Vinyl Isn't Cheap
Analysis Supports Phase-out
Febuary 3, 2004
Vinyl may have a cheap look and feel, but cost-wise, it's no less expensive than alternative materials that are safer for people and the environment, reveals a new report released today by Tufts University researchers. The report, "The Economics of Phasing Out Vinyl" concludes the economic advantages of vinyl or PVC are overstated, and that substituting vinyl with safer alternatives is cost-effective and practical.

New DEQ Study Finds Trash Imports Up 35%
Environmentalists Want Legislative Action
Febuary 3, 2004
State environmentalists reacted sharply to a new report issued Monday by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality finds that waste imports into Michigan have increased by 35% over the previous year. James Clift, Policy Director of the Michigan Environmental Council, calls to action the State Legislature when he stated, “Over three dozen bills have been introduced in the Senate and House, and not one has reached the Governor's desk yet. It's time for the Legislature to stop talking trash, and start taking action.”

Ann Arbor, Saginaw Environmentalists Join International Delegation to India to Discuss Dow Chemical Company, Meet Survivors of Bhopal
January 12, 2004
Two Michigan environmentalists - Tracey Easthope, Environmental Health Director of the Ecology Center and Michelle Hurd Riddick, a volunteer activist with the Lone Tree Council - traveled to India to meet with an international delegation of Dow Chemical watchdogs between January 12 and 19. The activists will be addressing delegates at the World Social Forum WSF), and meeting with survivors and supporters of the Bhopal chemical disaster.

Senate Takes Action to Protect Michigan from Waste
October 9, 2003
With bipartisan support, the Michigan Senate today passed a package of bills that address landfill concerns in Michigan. "These bills are the first positive steps in years to address our concerns about solid waste management practices and Michigan’s dismal recycling rate," said James Clift, Policy Director of the Michigan Environmental Council. "We’re pleased with both the breadth of the package and the bipartisan effort to work on solutions to this problem."

Automobile Industry Largest Source of Lead Pollution Today
July 23, 2003
The use of lead in cars accounts for the largest remaining source of lead pollution, finds a new report released today. Getting the Lead Out: Impacts of and Alternatives for Automotive Lead Uses, jointly released by the Michigan-based Ecology Center and New York-based Environmental Defense, documents the release of lead into the environment resulting from automobile manufacturing, use, and disposal. "Automobiles are responsible for a majority of lead pollution in North America, or approximately 16 pounds of lead per vehicle over its lifetime" said Jeff Gearhart, report author and Clean Car Campaign Research Director for the Ecology Center.

Michigan Groups Blast Rumored Choice of Engler to Head EPA
May 23, 2003
In the wake of the resignation of EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, twenty seven Michigan environmental groups again warned President George W. Bush not to appoint former Governor John Engler as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, saying that Engler is "unfit for duty" and his appointment would underscore a perceived "contempt" for environment.

Confrontation Between Survivors of Bhopal Disaster and Industry Executives
May 8, 2003
Eight days into an indefinite fast, two women survivors of the world’s worst chemical disaster in Bhopal India brought the disaster home to top executives of Dow Chemical, Union Carbide’s new owners. The survivors addressed Dow shareholders and leadership at Dow’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), demanding that the company take responsibility for the health consequences and environmental impacts of their operations.

2003 Earth Day Festival at Ann Arbor Farmer's Market
April 27, 2003
After ten years, Ann Arbor’s Earth Day Festival is moving to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market in the Kerrytown District on Sunday, April 27 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. The public is invited to celebrate the urban environment with free entertainment, displays and hands-on activities for all ages. Over 100 exhibit areas will feature nonprofit environmental organizations, area artisans and vendors of Earth-friendly products.

Global Warming Will Alter Character of Great Lakes Region
April 14, 2003
A comprehensive new study by a team of leading scientists from Midwest universities and Canada examines the potential impacts of climate change upon the various ecosystems in the Great Lakes Region. The two-year study represents the current state of scientific knowledge about the potential regional impacts of climate change, which is caused principally by carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, vehicles, and clearing forests.

Is It True? Or April Fools? PR Firm Says Toronto Trash Is Good For You!
April 1, 2003
LANSING-A coalition of environmental groups, including the Ecology Center, protested on April 1 outside a Lansing public relations firm's headquarters in an April Fools Day event aimed at exposing the Canadian waste industry's attempts to fool Michigan residents into accepting imported trash.

All are Invited to a Brown-bag Lecture and Discussion with Sheldon Rampton
April 4, 2003
Editor of PR Watch and co-author of "Trust us, We're Experts: How Industry Manipulates Science and Gambles with Your Future" and "Toxic Sludge is Good for You" speaks on April 4 at MSU. This Ecology Center event is free and the public is welcome.

Indecent Acts – Demanding Corporate Accountability Conference
April 5, 2003
Activists working to hold Dow Chemical accountable for its effects on the environment and public health will converge with students and concerned community members on April 5 for a conference on corporate accountability at the University of Michigan. Conference attendees will learn about how corporations impact our health and the environment. Five student organizations at the University of Michigan and four environmental groups, including the Ecology Center, are co-sponsoring the conference.

Join the Ecology Center for a Benefit Concert with Nicola Gordon
April 14, 2003
This concert will be a fun way for you to show your support for the Ecology Center! The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Arbor Brewing Company (116 E Washington, Ann Arbor). Ttickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, and kids under 12 are free. All proceeds benefit the Ecology Center.

New Book Ranks Greenest 2003 Cars and SUVs
February 19, 2003
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has released the new ACEEE's Green Book®: The Environmental Guide to Cars & Trucks - Model Year 2003. The guide helps consumers compare vehicles on the basis of a "Green Score," a measure that incorporates fuel consumption and air pollution, including both unhealthy tailpipe emissions and the emissions of gases that cause global warming.

Major New 'Don't Trash Michigan' Campaign Launched
February 10, 2003
Nearly two dozen Michigan environmental organizations, community and religious groups will unveil a comprehensive campaign to curb out-of-state trash and empower local communities to take measures toward a cleaner, greener Michigan.

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

Aveda Announces Its 2003 Earth Month Partners
December, 2002
Aveda is pleased to announce its 2003 Earth Month partners: a group of 15 regional environmental groups from around the world chosen for their results-oriented, project-driven approach and like-minded commitment to stopping global warming.

Environmental Groups Warn President Against Appointment of Engler to Head EPA
December 19, 2002
Twenty six Michigan environmental groups warned President George W. Bush not to appoint outgoing Governor John Engler as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, saying that Engler is "unfit for duty" in the agency.

Automotive Mercury Switch Study Released
December 19, 2002
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.

Judge Orders Hearing on Illegal Dow Chemical Consent Order
December 9, 2002
An Ingham County judge Friday opened the door for a legal challenge to a proposed deal between the Department of Environmental Quality and Dow Chemical Company that would raise dioxin standards and could threaten the health of Michigan residents.  

Citizens Sue to Stop Dioxin Deal Between State and Dow Chemical
December 5, 2002
A coalition of six environmental groups and citizens living in areas contaminated with toxic dioxin filed suit today to stop a proposed deal between the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Dow Chemical Company. The deal, if approved, would expose communities to levels of dioxin nearly 10 times above the state's current standard, they said.

Citizens Demand Right to Be Heard In Proposed "Sweetheart Deal" for Dow
December 2, 2002
Residents living in dioxin-contaminated areas were joined by leading environmental organizations in the state today in petitioning the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), demanding the right to intervene in a proposed decision that could relieve Dow Chemical Company of responsibility for comprehensive cleanup, and expose Michigan residents to future health risks.

Dow Chemical "Illegal" Sweetheart Deal Made Public
November 8, 2002
An agreement that attorneys for the state earlier described as "illegal" and "fatally flawed" has been made public today, potentially relieving Dow Chemical Company of liability for massive contamination of one of the largest watersheds in the Great Lakes basin.  The agreement could pave the way for citizens to be exposed to higher levels of a potent developmental and reproductive toxin.

Internal Documents Show MDEQ In Collusion With Dow Chemical To Create "Dioxin Zone" In Michigan
October 22, 2002
Government documents obtained by citizens in Saginaw County demonstrate that top management of the Michigan DEQ is working hand-in-glove with the Dow Chemical Company to craft an agreement relieving the company of costly dioxin cleanup requirements and exposing the public to dioxin contamination.

Major Bank Makes Commitment to Purchase Environmentally Friendly Hybrid Electric Vehicles
October 14, 2002
Ohio Savings Bank/AmTrust Bank, one of the top ten mortgage lenders in the U.S., has committed to replacing company vehicles with environmentally friendly hybrid electric vehicles wherever feasible. The bank estimates that it will purchase 24 hybrid electric vehicles in the next two years.

Citizens Reject Polluter-Sponsored Study, Call for Health Protection, Independent Review of Dioxin in Midland, Saginaw Counties
October 4, 2002
Citizens affected by dioxin contamination in Saginaw County, joined by environmental organizations, have rejected a study of health impacts proposed by Dow Chemical Company and proposed an alternative, independent review and immediate public health protection.

Law to Ban Sale of Mercury Thermometers Goes to the Governor’s Desk
September 18, 2002
A law to ban the sale of mercury thermometers is now on the governor’s desk (Mercury Thermometer Bill #4599). It is expected that Governor Engler will sign the bill before the end of the week. Environmentalists consider the bill an important first step in reducing the amount of mercury released into Michigan’s environment from consumer products.

MDEQ Re-issues Delta Township Plant Permit
Thursday, August 29
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) issued a permit allowing the General Motors Corporation (GM) to emit more than 1,200 tons of harmful pollution from a new automotive plant near Lansing - without including cost-effective new equipment that would reduce tons of paint shop emissions from Lansing area air.

Michigan Falls Short in Protecting Children From Pollution
Study Recommends Michigan Revamp Laws, Rules To Curtail Pollution-Related Health Risks for Kids
Monday, August 19
Michigan pollution policies fail to adequately protect children from environmental hazards, the Ecology Center and Michigan Environmental Council said in a report released today.

Exposé Shows Dental Uses Among Largest Sources of Mercury Pollution; American Dental Association Obstructs Protection Efforts
Wednesday, June 5
A first-of-its-kind comprehensive report that looks at the environmental impacts of the dental industry's use of mercury is being released June 5 by the Ecology Center, the Mercury Policy Project and Health Care Without Harm. Among other significant findings, the report reveals that the dental industry is now the third largest user of mercury in the U.S. and the industry is the single largest discharger of mercury to the nation’s wastewater treatment plants.

Six Months After 9/11, Chemical Facilities Continue to Put Millions of Michigan Citizens at Risk from Terrorism
March 7, 2002
A report released today highlights Michigan’s citizens continuing vulnerability to potential terrorist attacks on chemical facilities. Thousands of Michigan citizens may be unnecessarily at risk. The coalition releasing the report called for efforts to reduce chemical hazards by requiring companies to consider "inherently safer" technologies and materials, which could reduce – and in many cases eliminate – the possibility of a significant chemical release both from terrorist attack, or from accidental releases.

EPA Rules that MDEQ Failed to Follow Clean Air Act on GM Permit
March 7, 2002
A decision yesterday by the U.S. EPA's Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) supports environmentalists’ claims that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's permit for a new General Motors assembly plant in Delta Township, near Lansing, did not meet federal requirements.

Citizens ask for Federal Probe into Major Dioxin Cover-up in Michigan
January 31, 2002
Documents obtained by environmental groups show the state has found dioxin levels 80 times state cleanup standards near parks and residential areas in a floodplain south of the City of Saginaw, but state DEQ Director Russell Harding has blocked further testing and is suppressing a state health assessment that the groups believe calls for aggressive state action to deal with the threat.

Recycling and Steel Industries Team Up With Environmental Organizations to Eliminate Mercury Switches in Autos
January 30, 2002
At the State House today, a broad national coalition voiced its support for legislation in Maine aimed at removing mercury - added components from automobiles.

Report Highlights Mercury Dangers: Coalition Seeks to Eliminate Mercury from Waste Stream
January 30, 2002
The Ecology Center, in conjunction with the New England Zero Mercury Campaign has released a report highlighting the dangers of mercury contained in common household and everyday items.

Holcim Proposes To Burn Toxic Waste In Dundee
December 18, 2001
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.

Automotive Mercury Switches to Be Replaced
November 27, 2001
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.

MDEQ Air Permit for New GM Lansing Plant Allows Too Much Pollution — Ecology Center and Michigan Environmental Council Appeal Permit to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
October 30, 2001

Detroit Taxpayers Take Another Hit on the New Beard Elementary School
August 2, 2001

Report Uncovers Hidden Dangers in the Home
June 7, 2001

New Report Details State DEQ's Continuing "Dereliction of Duty"
February 9, 2001

 

 

 

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