The Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health is a coalition of health professionals, health-affected groups, environmental organizations, and others dedicated to a safe and less toxic world for Michigan's children. Through education, outreach, and advocacy, we work to change current policies and practices that result in exposure of children to environmental toxicants.

Join us for a Home Safe Home Party in Kalamazoo

Come learn how to reduce your exposure to toxic household chemicals and make your very own non-toxic cleaners! You're invited to bring in your children's products to be tested for toxics, like lead and cadmium. This event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, September 18th 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Kalamazoo Community College Arcadia Commons Campus
Anna Whitten Hall, Room 128 202 North Rose St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

For more information, contact Jennifer Canvasser or 734.761.3186 ext. 115

New Report – The Price of Pollution: Cost Estimates of Environment-Related Childhood Disease in Michigan

Michigan could save up to 1.5% of its gross domestic product each year by protecting children from environmental exposures, according to a new report released today entitled The Price of Pollution: Cost Estimates of Environment-Related Childhood Disease in Michigan. The report, released by a coalition of health and environmental groups, examines direct and indirect costs for four childhood diseases that are linked in part or whole to environmental toxicants. The report estimates that the environmentally attributable costs of lead poisoning, asthma, pediatric cancer, and neurodevelopmental disorders in the state of Michigan is $5.85 billion annually with a range of $3.65 to 6.68 billion. This is the first-ever study of the cost of environmental disease for Michigan.

Press Release: Preventable Childhood Illnesses Cost Michigan Billions of Dollars

Momentum Builds in Congress to Overhaul Chemicals Policy

Congressmen Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) recently introduced a groundbreaking bill to overhaul U.S. chemicals policy in the House Energy & Commerce Committee. The "Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010" is intended to overhaul the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which has failed to regulate chemicals in consumer products – even those chemicals that have known links to cancer, learning disabilities, asthma, reproductive disorders, and other serious health problems. Read more

Tell Congress to Phase Out PBTs!

Protect Michigan's Children and the Great Lakes from Persistent, Bioaccumulative Toxins (PBTs). Some of the most notorious chemicals ever studied - lead, PCBs, mercury, DDT, Dioxin, and cadmium - are PBTs. Ask Congress to reform our broken chemicals regulatory system and phase out the use of PBTs. Take Action!

New resource on toxic chemicals in consumer products

On February 16, the MNCEH and the Ecology Center hosted a book signing for "Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Dangers of Everyday Things." In the book, Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie use everyday products for a few days and then test their blood and urine to see if the levels of toxic chemicals such as mercury, BPA, and phthalates have been elevated. At times shocking, disturbing, and empowering - but always amusing - Slow Death by Rubber Duck is a great read for anyone who wants to understand the everyday threats around us and what to do about them. Read the full article here. To learn more or buy the book click here.

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 and practice related to environmental issues. 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. Read the full article.

Michigan House Overwhelmingly Passes Ban on Toxic Flame Retardant

On Jan. 27, 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.

Ecology Center receives Green Chemistry Award from Governor

Governor Granholm honored the Ecology Center with an award for the work it has done in concert with the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health to promote Green Chemistry in the state. Seven award winners were recognized in a ceremony on September 24th and again at the landmark Michigan Green Chemistry Conference on September 25th. Click here to read the DEQ press release. And to read Michigan's green chemistry bills (HB 4817, 4818, 4819), please visit: www.legislature.mi.gov.

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