The Weekly Toxic Times

From the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health

News highlights from June 23 - June 27, 2008

A recap of the top stories on toxins in Michigan, National, and International news.

 

Michigan News

Border battles: Canada, U.S. increasingly at odds over pollution issues

Detroit News, Friday, June 27, 2008

After decades of relative cooperation between the nations on either side of the river, border battles over environmental issues are becoming increasingly contentious.
detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080627/METRO/806270382

 

JPS: No lead in new field turf

The Jackson Citizen Patriot, Wednesday, June 25, 2008

“Withington Community Stadium's new surface will be free of lead, Jackson Public School officials said in the wake of a report saying some artificial turf has unhealthy levels of the element.”
www.mlive.com/news/citpat/index.ssf?/base/news-25/1214406315320670.xml&
coll=3

 

Money running out for cleanup of contaminated sites: State DEQ seeks $65 million to last until bond vote

The Detroit Free Press, Tuesday, June 24, 2008

“Cleanup work at about 400 contaminated sites across Michigan would have to be shut down if the Department of Environmental Quality can't convince legislators to provide $65 million over the next two years until a bond issue can be placed before voters.”
www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080624/NEWS05/806240316/1007
/NEWS05

 

DEQ Army Corps agree to disagree on dredging facility

The Bay City Times. Wednesday, June 25, 2008

“Dioxin levels in the Saginaw River, blamed on historical discharges by Dow Chemical in Midland, have been measured at 1.6 million parts per trillion, the highest in the nation. Steve Chester, director of the state Department of Environmental Quality, said his agency believes the [Dredged Material Disposal Facility] may leak, because it wasn't built with a slurry wall to keep contaminated groundwater from migrating off site. Lt. Col. William Leady, commander of the Corps' Detroit District, said his agency believes the site won't leak.”
www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news-12/121440691328480.xml&
coll=4&thispage=1

National News

The Mattel Loophole: Congress may back off pledge of independent toy testing

Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, June 25, 2008

“Some companies would be permitted to skirt independent lab testing of children's products in favor of their own in-house certification, thanks in large part to lobbying by the world's biggest toymaker, the Tribune has found.”
www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-matteljun25,0,889911.story

 

Toymakers Frustrated by Patchwork of Safety Rules

The Washington Post, Tuesday, June 24, 2008

“Children's product manufacturers such as Hasbro and Mattel and toy retailers such as Toys R Us argue that having different state regulations on children's products will keep safe toys off the market. The activity in the state houses is influencing congressional negotiations over sweeping federal product safety legislation. One of the thorniest issues is expected to be to what extent federal safety standards would preempt state ones.”
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/23/AR2008062302163
.html

 

Toxic smoke and mirrors

Mother Jones, July/August 2008 Issue

Overexposure to manganese has caused Parkinson's-like symptoms for thousands of welders. So why does the welding industry still get a free chemical pass?
www.motherjones.com/commentary/columns/2008/07/witness-smoke-and-mirrors
.html

 

Artificial turf target of legal action

The Oakland Tribune, Monday, June 23, 2008

“The Oakland-based Center for Environmental Health filed a legal action with the state on Monday demanding that 15 retailers and manufacturers cease selling and producing artificial turf containing lead — a potent neurotoxin.”
www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_9677643

 

Wisconsin board OKs 90% cut in mercury emissions

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Natural Resources Board approved sweeping air regulations on Wednesday aimed at cutting mercury emissions by 90% and eventually making fish that are caught in state waters safer to eat.
www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=766218

 

Wal-Mart Charm Key Chains Recalled Because of Lead

The Daily Green, Friday, June 20, 2008

“Wal-Mart is recalling another seven charm key chains because they contain excessive amounts of lead that threatens the health of children.”
www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/eco-friendly/lead-charm-key-chains-
47062001

 

The Pesticide of Last Resort: In the summer showdown between lawn-care lobbyists and parents against toxic sprays, whose grass is greener?

Mother Jones, Friday, June 20, 2008

“Last fall, [Connecticut] became the first to ban the use of pesticides (which includes herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides) on the grounds of elementary and middle schools—a decision that has put it at the forefront of a nationwide movement, and also in the crosshairs of the multibillion dollar lawn-care industry.”
www.motherjones.com//news/featurex/2008/06/the-pesticide-of-last-resort.html

International News

We’re in chemical overload: Toxic chemicals: Consumers are the lab rats

The Gazette, Friday, June 20, 2008

“Over the last 50 years, from 70,000 to 100,000 different chemicals have been introduced into the world's markets with about 1,500 new ones added each year. Fact is, only sporadic toxicity studies have been done on the enormous array of industrial chemicals used in Canada.”
www.canada.com/montrealgazette/story.html?id=e4c6d71f-2a6f-4952-98c7-2486
6f28aa67

 

No mandatory safety norms for toys cause for worry

The Times of India, Friday, June 20, 2008
“A recent study reveals the presence of toxic heavy metals — lead, cadmium and chromium—in intimate infant articles such as pacifiers, teethers and nipples. The more disconcerting fact is that till date, there are no mandatory safety standards for toys and these infant articles in the country, although feeding bottles, including nipples, are an exception.”
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/No_mandatory_safety_
norms_for_toys_cause_for_worry_/articleshow/3146736.cms

 

Poor nations can't manage toxic waste

Associated Press, Thursday, June 26, 2008

The world's poorest nations are unable to manage the mountains of toxic waste flowing in for disposal from rich countries because of a lack of resources and political will, officials said Wednesday.
ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ilmacpqSoESZeD3020WmV79FJJkAD91H6D
SG0

 

It’s Hard to Spray Goodbye: Ontario enacts province-wide pesticide ban; fine print upsets greens

Grist, Thursday, June 19, 2008

“The Canadian province of Ontario has just passed a pesticide ban that by next spring would prohibit the use of more than 80 ingredients and 300 pesticide products across the province. The major problem with the ban, critics say, is that it forbids towns and cities in the province from enacting stricter pesticide laws. What's more, the ban would not apply to farming, forestry, or golf courses.”
www.grist.org/news/2008/06/19/OntArIO/index.html

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Articles were researched and compiled by Beth Kerwin and Marci Baranski, MNCEH Interns.

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