Category: Legislative Campaigns
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 »
Testing for PFAS in Fairfield: why transparency matters
If you’ve been following our work here at Defend Our Health, you know that we’ve been deeply involved with the widespread PFAS contamination in Fairfield, ME, since we found out that the past use of municipal and industrial sludge as fertilizer from the 1970s-2000s destroyed Fred Stone’s family dairy farm. From the start, we have joined… Read more »
Here’s what we’ve won!
Maine’s leading the nation by dumping a cancer-linked toxic chemical. The Maine Legislature passed a law to eliminate toxic PFAS from products we use every day. We’re the first state to get this done! (LD 1503) Maine will also protect our firefighters, whose risk of cancer is elevated by exposure to toxic chemicals. No longer… Read more »
Back to School: Lead in drinking water
Water fountains are a common fixture of public schools in the US, providing water access to the over 50 million kids attending public schools across the country. In fact, schools that offer federal free lunch programs are required to ensure that students have access to drinking water at school. In theory, this should be great… Read more »
Their Journey for Justice
Ashley Gooldrup and her fiancé Troy Reny bought their home in Fairfield, Maine just over a year ago. Set on six acres of open field, with breathtaking views, it was the first home they had purchased, and it felt like a dream come true. But last fall they got a phone call that turned their lives… Read more »
Maine Legislation: PFAS in Products
As leading retailers ban sales of toxic PFAS products, health advocates call on Maine to follow suit With home improvement retailer Lowe’s announcing the end of the sale of PFAS carpet treatments, legislature urged to adopt bill to broadly end use in products Portland, Maine — On the heels of actions from leading retailer Lowe’s,… Read more »
Expert & Advocate Testimony on PFAS in Drinking Water
Last week, legislators, impacted citizens, scientists and health advocates urged Maine’s Health and Human Services Committee to follow the policies of nearby states in the fight against drinking water contamination. Maine officials have been using an outdated “advisory” level from the USEPA of 70 parts per trillion, while experts and advocates are pushing to both… Read more »
Maine Hearing: Experts & Residents Testify for Safe Drinking Water
This week, legislators, impacted citizens, scientists and health advocates urged the Health and Human Services Committee to follow the policies of nearby states in the fight against drinking water contamination. The committee convened in a public hearing that involved two bills related to health-harming toxic chemicals known as PFAS. A bill on behalf of the… Read more »
Press Briefing: Outlining Bills on Forever Chemicals
This week we held a briefing with legislators, advocates, and public health experts to brief the press on PFAS legislation. The briefing covered seven bills being introduced to Maine’s 130th Legislature related to health-harming toxic chemicals known as PFAS that are currently making headlines in Maine and nationwide. Collectively the bills implement and strengthen key recommendations… Read more »
We Won! Federal Court Overturns Trump EPA Decision to Hide Chemical and Plastic Industry’s Ongoing Uses of Asbestos
Just in time to brighten the holiday season and New Year, a federal judge ruled in our favor, declaring the US EPA’s failure to collect information necessary to regulate asbestos “arbitrary and capricious.” Explaining why this is exciting takes some back story. Most of us know that asbestos is bad for you. It’s a potent… Read more »