Category: General Updates
Internship Reflection and 2023 Legislative Cycle
For the past few months I had the opportunity to work with Defend Our Health as an intern, where I focused on supporting priority bills in Maine’s 2023 legislative session. With my background in environmental health, and my current work as a public health analyst and a Physician’s for Social Responsibility Next Generation Climate Ambassador,… Read more »
The Fight Against PFAS Contamination in The Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast communities have long been subjected to the iron grip of petrochemical plants and oil companies. These communities, often BIPOC and low-income, are heavily subjected to the health impacts of both air and water contamination. Around 200 million Americans likely receive water that is contaminated with PFAS and the Gulf Coast is no stranger… Read more »
Welcome Summer 22′ Organizing Interns
Or team is very excited to introduce our summer interns working on the Safe Drinking Water campaign and our new Healthy Homes program. Caitlyn Hanley is a junior at Bates College majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Educational Studies. She grew up in Portland, ME and her interest on environmental issues comes from… Read more »
2022 Priority Bills
PFAS Bills: LD 1911 “An Act To Prohibit the Contamination of Clean Soils with So-called Forever Chemicals.” This bill would ban the spreading of sludge and sludge-derived compost on farmland that contributes to PFAS contamination. It would also require that wastewater treatment facilities and other industry that discharge effluent into Maine’s waterways test that effluent for… Read more »
Our 2021 Victories
2021 has been an eventful year full of numerous victories and we couldn’t have done it without our amazing supporters! Our supporters helped make all of these victories possible through various means of support and by gifting us the funds to run these ambitious campaigns. We are very proud of the work Defend has done… Read more »
Oh, Deer! Venison joins fish and beef on list of contaminated food in Maine
Last week, news broke that deer in central Maine showed high levels of PFAS, followed by Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife deer hunting advisory not to eat any venison harvested in the Fairfield area and to discard any deer killed there earlier in the season. The news shocked and angered many Maine hunters. But… Read more »
John Oliver and Danny DeVito Tackle PFAS on Last Week Tonight!
Spotlight on PFAS This week, we were thrilled to see 13-time Emmy Award winner John Oliver and actor Danny DeVito discuss the dangers of PFAS on Oliver’s popular HBO show Last Week Tonight! PFAS, a class of chemicals that stand for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are often used in food packaging and household products. High exposure… Read more »
Defend Our Health: A new name and stronger commitment. Join us!
Introducing Defend Our Health – we’re continuing the fight for safe food and drinking water, healthy homes, toxic-free and climate-friendly products. This has been a tumultuous and traumatic year for the world and our country. But one thing has shone through – the grassroots energy and people power to make change and deliver justice. And… Read more »
Grant Opportunity: Grassroots Work for Safe Food and Water
We’re thrilled to announce that this year, we are able to offer mini grants of up to $2,500 to grassroots leaders and community groups fighting for water and food that is free of toxic chemicals. These mini grants will be awarded to support grassroots organizing, research, testing, or advocacy to help rid our food supply and drinking… Read more »
Black Lives Matter
Black lives matter. Defend Our Health stands with Black communities in this time of grief and mourning. We are horrified by the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many others. We demand accountability and justice be served. Systemic racism in the United States creates a public health crisis that has… Read more »