Deregulating toxic air chemicals a major shift
Despite steps taken by states and the federal government, one state (and particular city) is about to get a lot more toxic. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is proposing “deregulation of some 500 chemicals would pack a potent punch in Detroit…” The city of Detroit is unique in that it contains such a large industrial base and "asthma puts residents in the hospital three to six times as often as in the rest of Michigan.” For years the rule has been that if a chemical hasn’t been tested, then it’s toxic. With the new rule, untested chemicals would no longer be deemed toxic/unsafe. And the rule change would also “eliminate regulation of chemicals that are noncarcinogenic but are still known to be toxic.” The Michigan Environmental Council hopes that the DEQ rethinks the proposed rule changes, and makes a decision that puts first the health of Detroit’s residents.
To read more about the DEQ’s proposed rule change, follow the link: http://detne.ws/1LSDayC