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Posted inAccountability, Deep Dives, Lead poisoning

Michigan’s rules for testing lead in drinking water may give ‘false sense of confidence’ in water quality

Avatar photo by Tom Perkins

This story co-published with HuffPost. New lead rules Michigan instated in 2018 following the Flint water crisis were heralded as the nation’s strictest, but lax enforcement and flaws in testing protocols are making the state’s drinking water appear safer than it likely is, a Planet Detroit and HuffPost analysis of state records finds.  Public health […]

Posted inUncategorized

From the headlines – November 15-19, 2021

Avatar photo by Brian Allnutt

Disparate impacts: East side Detroit residents filed a civil rights complaint with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), arguing that the state discriminated against the neighborhood’s predominantly Black and low-income population when it allowed Stellantis to expand its Mack assembly plant. Stellantis–formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles–had agreed to reduce emissions at a plant in predominantly white Warren in order to […]

Posted inAccountability

Duggan water advisor Dr. Abdul El-Sayed: Detroit focused on ending shutoffs, but affordability needs national attention

Avatar photo by Gary Wilson

Newly re-elected Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s drinking water focus is clear, according to his point-person for shutoff and affordability plans.  “The commitment he’s focused on is ending shutoffs. That’s the first-order goal,” Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, who advises the mayor on public health and water issues, recently told Planet Detroit in a wide-ranging interview. El-Sayed served […]

Posted inCommunity

A conversation with watershed activist David Brooks on the long-term work of environmental stewardship

by Patricia Jewell - Detroit River Story Lab

“I like biologists. They do cool things. They go to cool places, and I’ll hang around them. I’ll fix their stuff. I’ll carry their stuff. I’m a good pack animal.”  This is how David Brooks, a longtime electrical engineer who was born and raised in Detroit and professes to having disliked his high school biology […]

Posted inCommunity

The University of Michigan comes to Detroit’s east side with inaugural ‘Sustainability Clinic’

Avatar photo by Rukiya Colvin

Technical support from students and professors will combine with ‘local wisdom’ from residents and local organizations to create solutions to Detroit’s climate issues The University of Michigan is opening a clinic on Detroit’s east side — but instead of offering flu shots and check-ups, this clinic aims to help residents cope with the vagaries of […]