OTSEGO, Mich. (WOOD) — The launch of a website focused on collecting Otsego area health stories amid concerns of long-term environmental pollution kicked off with an emotional start Friday night.
Three residents stood up one by one to share the stories of diagnoses and struggles they say are related to environmental pollution. Before the website, the stories were collected by Mary Zack and a grassroots group called Justice for Otsego. Zack began the group in 2018, years after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer as a teen. The group collected community health data through an online survey.
In early 2025, the group began working with the Toxic Action Lab at Michigan State University. The team was awarded with a $500,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy…