Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit in Chicago Against Ecology Center and Medical Professionals

Children's Health Advocates Call for Immediate Legislative Action to Ban Lindane

 

May 9, 2007

 

ANN ARBOR, MI -- The Ecology Center and two Michigan pediatricians applauded a federal judge's ruling late last week that dismissed a lawsuit brought against them 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. Lindane had previously been banned for use on pets and for use in the military in the U.S. All uses of the chemical ingredient have been banned in 52 countries and the State of California.

On July 19, 2006, Morton Grove Pharmaceuticals filed suit in U.S. District Court in Chicago, Illinois against the Ecology Center and two members of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

"From the outset, we viewed Morton Grove's lawsuit as a baseless tactic designed to stifle public debate," said Mike Garfield, Director of the Ecology Center. " It is outrageous that instead of engaging in a public discussion with the Michigan Legislature on this important public issue, the company instead tried to silence us. We are pleased that the federal court has dismissed the complaint against us and the two physicians."

U.S. District Court Judge Elaine Bucklo granted a motion to dismiss brought by the Ecology Center and the pediatricians in a Memorandum Opinion issued on May 3, 2007.

House Bill 4569, introduced by Rep. Ted Hammon, would phase out the remaining pharmaceutical uses of the chemical ingredient lindane in the State of Michigan. This bill follows a similar ban in California. Health professional organizations in Michigan, including the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, are supporting the Bill. The Michigan Department of Community Health does not recommend lindane use, and has supported the legislation in the past.

The lindane phase-out bill has been endorsed by many health professional groups including the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Michigan Pharmacists, the Wayne County Medical Society, and the Michigan State Medical Society.

"The state's most prestigious medical authorities are calling for a ban on the ingredient lindane," said Tracey Easthope, MPH, Environmental Health Director of the Ecology Center. "The Michigan legislature should act to ban this toxic pesticide now."

The Ecology Center and the physicians were defended by Richard Waris, James Sipchen and Amy Thompson of Pretzel & Stouffer, Chartered in Chicago.

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For more information, please contact:

Mike Garfield: 734-761-3186 ext. 104
Tracey Easthope: 734-223-7603

 

 

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