Michigan Environmental Council

Michigan
Environmental Report

Volume 22 . Number 5
October 2004

PURPOSE
Founded in 1980, MEC is a coalition of over 60 environmental, public health, and faith-based organizations with nearly 200,000 individual members. For over 20 years, MEC has provided a voice at the State Capitol. In addition to serving as a clearinghouse of environmental information, MEC develops public policy, educates elected officials and the public, and provides training and support to member organizations.

SUBSCRIBE

OFFICERS

Chairperson
Chris Graham,
Michigan Natural Areas Council

Vice Chair
Vicki Levengood,
National Environmental Trust

Vice Chair
Terry Miller,
Lone Tree Council

Treasurer
Tom Leonard,
West Michigan Environmental Action Council

Secretary
Brian Imus,
PIRGIM

MEC STAFF

President
Lana Pollack

Policy Director
James Clift

Associate Director
Patrick Diehl

Land Programs Director
Conan Smith

Special Projects Coodinator
Brad Garmon

Office Manager
Judy Bearup

Member Services Director
Michele Scarborough

Policy Specialist
David Gard

Policy Advisor
Dave Dempsey

Environmental Campaign Coordinator
Wendi Tilden

ECCO Field Director
Stephanie Anderson

Land Programs Assistant
Ben Stupka

MER Design & Layout
Rose Homa

State rejects petition to ban dangerous chemical

Despite strong support from the state's largest organization of physicians, the state Departments of Agriculture and Community Health have rejected a request from the Ecology Center, MEC and other advocates that they ban the use of the highly-toxic pesticide lindane in Michigan.

The groups requested the ban based on the widespread use of lindane as a treatment for head lice in children, and the fact that it is highly toxic and persistent in the environment.

In a letter to Michigan Department of Community Health Director Janet Olszewski, John M. MacKeigan, MD, president of the Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS), wrote: "It is the conclusion of MSMS that the use of a persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic organochlorine insecticide for the treatment of lice and scabies results in unnecessary exposure of patients to a potent neurotoxin. It is also the conclusion of MSMS that there are a number of safer treatments that are widely available."

However, both state agencies turned down the request. MDA cited the fact that the U.S. EPA has chosen not to ban the pesticide (although another federal agency has urged physicians and parents not to use it on children 110 pounds or smaller, and the State of California has banned its use for head lice). MDCH said it did not have authority under law to ban the use of lindane.

MEC and Ecology Center will continue to seek the phaseout of this dangerous substance.