Press Releases

2010

April 15, 2010: Potentially Landmark Federal Legislation Introduced to Protect the Health of American Families from Toxic Chemicals

Children’s health advocates in Michigan applauded the introduction of federal legislation to protect families from harmful chemicals. The “Safe Chemicals Act of 2010”, introduced today by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Congressmen Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Bobby Rush (D-IL), will overhaul federal regulation of the chemical industry for the first time in 34 years.  The Michigan Network for Children’s Environmental Health - a coalition of leading health, health affected and environmental organizations which works to promote policies that protect children’s health from toxic chemicals in products - praised the bill’s long-awaited introduction but cautioned that the bill needs further improvement before it fully protects Michigan’s children. Read the full press release.

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January 27, 2010: Michigan House Overwhelmingly Passes Ban on Toxic Flame Retardant

Following the recommendations of the state’s leading medical, health, and environmental organizations – as well as fire fighters – the Michigan House nearly unanimously passed HB 4699 (94-6), which would phase-out the toxic flame retardant deca-BDE. This long awaited bi-partisan vote follows on the heels of a voluntary agreement to end the manufacture, import, and sale of the chemical between three major manufacturers of deca-BDE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Read the full press release.

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January 25, 2010: Network Partners, Staff, and Interns Contribute to Peer-Reviewed Medical Journal

In its January/February 2010 issue, the Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine published a survey of Michigan pediatricians documenting their knowledge of environmental issues and the extent to which they are aware of potential environmental influences on their patients' health and related treatment resources. The pediatricians generally felt confident in dealing with lead and second-hand smoke, but felt less confident in identifying and managing pesticide, mercury, mold, polychlorinated biphenyl, and air pollution exposures. The pediatricians expressed interest in additional training on pediatric environmental health issues. Researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health developed and analyzed the survey. Read the full press statement here. Access the full journal article here.

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January 21, 2010: Reductions in Toxic Chemical Exposure Would Make Michigan Healthier, Wealthier, New Report Finds

Evidence is strong and growing that chemical exposures contribute significantly to the rise in many chronic diseases, according to a new report synthesizing peer-reviewed science released today. "The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act" finds that Michiganders and all Americans would be healthier if exposure to toxic chemicals was reduced. Michiganders could conservatively save over $150 million annually in health care costs. Read the full press release.

2009

EPA Limits Toxic Flame Retardant Deca-BDE

In December 2009, the U.S. EPA announced that three major industrial producers of deca-BDE agreed to end the manufacture, importation, and sale of deca-BDE in the United States. However, the import and sale of consumer products containing deca-BDE was not a part of the voluntary agreement and Michigan's HB 4699 is still needed. Read the full press release.

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December 2, 2009: HealthyStuff.org Releases New Toy Data

The Ecology Center's HealthyStuff.org has released the results of tests for arsenic, mercury, bromine, cadmium, lead, and other toxics in over 700 new toys. If you haven't already, tell your Michigan State Senator we need the Children's Safe Products Act. Read the full press release.

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November 23, 2009: Toy Owners to Sen. George: Help Keep Our Products Safe; Leading Toy Retailers Call for Passage of Children's Safe Products Act

Twenty of Michigan's independent toy retailers and manufacturers joined thousands of parents and a coalition of some of the state's leading medical, health, health-affected and environmental organizations to call for immediate passage of the Children's Safe Products Act (4763-69). These bills - which ensure that parents and all consumers have the right-to-know whether the most toxic chemicals are in children's products - have been awaiting action in Senator Tom George's Health Policy Committee since passing the Michigan House in May. Read the full press release.

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October 8, 2009: "Body Burden" Study Reveals Toxic Chemicals in Michigan State Rep & Prominent Pediatrician

The first national study of the toxic chemical "body burden" in health professionals found an array of hazardous chemicals in twenty doctors and nurses from ten states. This included Michigan state representative Jimmy Womack, MD and the found of MSU's Department of Pediatrics, Dr. William Weil. Read the full press release.

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September 16, 2009:New Database on Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Products Reveals Lead, Arsenic & Hazardous Flame Retardants in School Supplies, Children’s Products, Pet Products, Cars, and More

The Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center is leading a national movement towards safer products with the launch of the consumer product testing website HealthyStuff.org. Read the full press release.

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May 13, 2009: House Passage of Landmark Children's Safe Products Act Hailed by Health and Environmental Organizations, Parents, and Toy Store Owners

The state's leading health, medical, health-affected, and environmental organizations as well as thousands of parents celebrated today's House passage of the Children's Safe Products Act (HB 4763-4769) as a first step toward protecting children from toxic chemicals in children's products. Read the full press release.

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March 17 , 2009: Michigan House Votes 88-20 to Restrict Pharmaceutical Pesticide Lindane

Leading health, medical, and environmental groups in Michigan praised today's 88-20 bipartisan vote to help protect children and our Great Lakes from an outdated treatment for lice and scabies. The Michigan House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed HB 4402 to restrict phamaceutical use of the toxic pesticide lindane. Read the full press release.

2008

December 3, 2008: One in Three Children's Toys Tested by Ecology Center's www.HealthyToys.org has Significant Levels of Chemicals, Including Lead, Flame Retardants, and Arsenic

The Ecology Center today released the 2nd annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in toys at www.HealthyToys.org. Researchers tested over 1,500 new, popular children's toys for lead, arsenic, mercury and other harmful chemicals. Read the full press release.

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November 11, 2008: 54 Incoming State Representatives Commit to Getting Toxics Out of Toys

Michigan voters elected at least 54 State Representatives committed to protecting kids from toxic chemicals in toys. In a strong response to the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids (HMHK) coalition and voters across the state, nearly 50 percent of all 2009/10 Michigan House of Representatives members officially signed the HMHK platform, a comprehensive approach to addressing toxics in children’s products. Read the full press release.

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August 4, 2008: State panel recommends ban on toxic flame retardant

The state’s Interdepartmental Toxics Steering Group just released the long-awaited final report on the hazards of the common flame-retardants, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), which are under intense scrutiny by the Michigan Legislature because of concerns they are ending up in the Great Lakes and in people. Read the full press release.

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July 31, 2008: Congress Takes First Step Towards “Healthy Toys”

A Congressional Committee chaired by Representative John Dingell (M-15) finalized the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act to include provisions to set first-ever national standards on lead in toys and ban the plasticizer phthalates from children’s toys and childcare articles. This landmark legislation, which validates the concerns of scientists and parents by moving toward safer toys, is set to the pass through Congress tomorrow. Read the full press release.

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July 22, 2008: Leading Environmental Organization Releases 2^nd Annual Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Cars and Children's Car Seats at www.HealthyCar.org

Today the Ecology Center released the 2^nd annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars and children's car seats at www.HealthyCar.org. Over 200 of the most popular 2008- and 2009-model vehicles and over 60 children's car seats were tested for chemicals that off-gas from parts such as the steering wheel, dashboard, armrests, seats, and carpet. Read the full press release.

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May 15, 2008: House Overwhelmingly Passes Restrictions on Dangerous Pesticide Lindane

Health professionals and environmentalists praised the Michigan House of Representatives for overwhelming passing (72-35) important legislation protecting children's health today. In a bipartisan vote, members of the House approved common sense restrictions on the use of lindane, a hazardous pesticide used in pharmaceuticals for the treatment of lice and scabies. Read the full press release.

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May 14, 2008: Restrictions on dangerous lindane approved by 9-3 vote of House committee

Health professionals and environmentalists praised the House Great Lakes and Environment Committee for passing important legislation protecting children's health today. In a bipartisan vote, members of the Committee approved common sense restrictions on the use of lindane, a hazardous pesticide used in pharmaceuticals for the treatment of lice and scabies. Read the full press release.

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March 12, 2008: Drug Company Drops SLAPP Suit Against Ecology Center

The Ecology Center announced today an end to the SLAPP suit filed against it by Morton Grove Pharmaceuticals. After nearly two years of litigation where the company alleged at least $9.3 million in damages, the parties entered into a settlement in which Morton Grove drops its lawsuit and the Ecology Center makes no payment to the company, nor any admission of liability. Read the full press release.

2007

December 21, 2007: Gov. Granholm, Michigan Legislature OK Bills Limiting Lead in Children's Products

Health, environmental and child advocacy groups praised 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. Read the full press release.

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December 18, 2007: 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 tested for lead and other harmful chemicals. These were selected from over 4,500 nominated via the test my toy feature on the here visitors vote for toys not already tested. Read the full press release.

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December 5, 2007: Lead, Arsenic, Other Harmful Chemicals Found in Popular Toys; Michigan-based Ecology Center Releases Testing Results and Consumer Action Guide 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. Working with environmental health groups across the country, the Ecology Center led the development of the site to inform consumers about products they will be purchasing this holiday season. Parents and other holiday shoppers can now easily search by product name, brand, or toy type to learn how the products rate in terms of harmful chemical content. Read the full press release.

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November 8, 2007: Toxic Chemicals From Everyday Products Found in Rep. Terry Brown, other Michiganders

Three highly toxic chemicals used in everyday products were found in five Michiganders and 30 other people across the country according to a new report issued today by public interest groups. Is It In Us? Chemical Contamination in our Bodies—Toxic Trespass, Regulatory Failure and Opportunities for Action reveals widespread presence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), phthalates, and bisphenol A—chemicals that have been linked to birth defects, cancer, learning disabilities, infertility, asthma, and other health impacts. Read the full press release.

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

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. Read the full press release.

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May 9, 2007: Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit in Chicago Against Ecology Center and Medical Professionals

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. Read the full press release.

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March 20, 2007: HealthyCar.Org Released Today As First-Ever Consumer Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Cars

Today the Ecology Center 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. Since the average American drives more than 1.5 hours in a car every day, toxic chemical exposure inside vehicles is a major source of potential indoor air pollution. Read the full press release.

2006

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. Read the full press release.