For Friday, Oct, 31, 2014

 

1 – Where should water quality be monitored in Michigan?

The state Department of Environmental Quality is seeking suggestions for water quality monitoring locations.

The effort is in support of a Strategic Environmental Quality Monitoring Program for Michigan’s Surface Waters.

The DEQ is soliciting the recommendations from municipalities, nonprofits and citizens for fiscal year 2015.

Primary goals of the strategy including detecting new and emerging water quality problems.

The DEQ is welcoming suggestions for monitoring water or sediment chemistry, fish contamination, nuisance aquatic plant or algae growth, and E. coli bacteria.

Monitoring for Fiscal Year 2015 is planned for locations including the Kawkawlin River in Bay County.

A monitoring request form is online.

2 – Trick or treat. There may be toxic substances lurking in your halloween candy bag, or your store-bought Halloween costume.

A study released by the Ecology Center in Ann Arbor has found elevated levels of toxic chemicals in some popular Halloween costumes, accessories and party supplies.

The nonprofit tested 106 Halloween products for substances linked to asthma, birth defects, learning disabilities, reproductive problems, liver toxicity and cancer. The products were purchased from top national retailers.

Halloween products were tested for chemicals based on their toxicity or tendency to build up in people and the environment.

The results of the study are available online at HealthyStuff.org.

In conjunction with the release of the study, advocates have launched a national online petition calling on major retailers to eliminate hazardous chemicals in consumer products such as Halloween costumes and accessories.

— Mr. Great Lakes is heard at 9 a.m. Fridays in Bay City, Michigan, on Delta College Q-90.1 FM NPR.

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