Public Health

If you live in Northeast Washtenaw County, you know about living with a with an unpleasant odor. Residents in Salem and Northville Townships have long complained about the smell emanating from the Arbor Hills Landfill. WEMU's David Fair checked in with the District Supervisor for Air Quality at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) on the matter. Scott Miller discussed the ongoing efforts to address odors and air quality in the area.

Local reports of deer ticks have been increasing in Washtenaw County, along with more residents falling ill to Lyme Disease. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

A new report shows overdose deaths dropped by 25% in Washtenaw County in 2024. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Legislative Democrats rolled out bills Monday to toughen Michigan’s pollution cleanup standards and force businesses that caused contamination to foot the bill even if it happened decades ago. Rick Pluta reports.

Wildfires from Canada have been significantly impacting the air quality as haze paints the local landscape. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

The federal government has removed the recommendation that children and pregnant women get routine COVID-19 vaccines. This is after a directive announced by Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. WEMU's Caroline MacGregor talks to Washtenaw County Health Officer, Jimena Loveluck about the ramifications of the decision.

The Washtenaw County Department of Health is questioning the decision from federal officials to no longer recommend COVID vaccines for certain demographics. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

There are a good number of private septic systems in Washtenaw County. Assessments show that nearly half of those systems have exceeded their expected lifespans and could fail in the near future. That would not only threaten the ecosystems of local waterways but also put public health in jeopardy. The Huron River Watershed Council is advocating that the private septic systems be replaced with centralized water treatment systems. WEMU's David Fair talked with the council’s Ric Lawson about what it would take to make that change.

The Washtenaw County Board of Health is conducting a meeting Friday to discuss current public health concerns and establish pathways for potential solutions. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

Allergy season is getting longer and more intense, according to a University of Michigan Health allergist. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor reports.