Category: Safe Water
The Fight Against PFAS Contamination in Tennessee
Today, we focus our sights on Tennessee in our ongoing series highlighting PFAS contamination issues nationwide. In 2019, the company 3M admitted that it had illegally released toxic chemicals into the Tennessee River from its Decatur, AL manufacturing plant. 3M did this, although it had been barred from doing so under the US Toxic Substances… Read more »
How the Global Plastics Treaty Can Change Our Relationship With Plastic For The Better
As we inch closer to the fourth session of the Global Plastic Treaty negotiations, it is important to understand our current relationship with plastic, how we got here, and how the Global Plastics Treaty can improve our relationship with plastic. Our dependence on plastic production from fossil fuels began in the 1960s, and for the… Read more »
The Fight Against PFAS Contamination in South Carolina
PFAS contamination is an issue that is impacting farmlands all across the nation. From Maine to New Mexico, the rise in PFAS contamination has reached a crisis level and is impacting U.S. citizens from all backgrounds of life. Today, we are focusing our sights on South Carolina. According to The State, recent testing in South… Read more »
Spooky Facts About Plastic Pollution
Happy Halloween! Ghosts and ghouls are not the only spooky things to be aware of. Plastic pollution impacts us from the water we drink to the air we breathe. Plastic production is projected to triple globally by 2060, and with the current plastic pollution crisis we’re facing, immediate action must be taken by corporations all… Read more »
Defend Our Health Featured on ‘What You’re Eating’ Podcast
Hosted by Jerusha Klemperer, in episode 16 titled “PFAS: The ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Your Food,” Food Print spoke to our campaign manager, Adam Nordell, to focus their attention on Maine to learn more about PFAS and how the chemicals have ended up in well water, on farms, in food, and ultimately in people’s bodies. Adam… Read more »
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 »
The Fight Against PFAS Contamination Across the Country
PFAS contamination is an issue that plagues every corner of our country. It destroys families and livelihoods without qualms. According to a recent study, around 200 million Americans likely receive water that is contaminated with PFAS. And while this is an issue that affects Americans across the country, it is one that adversely impacts low-income communities, communities of color, and farming… Read more »
PFAS Testing in Trenton, Maine
Defend Our Health has been working with community group PFAS Free Trenton (PFT) on securing community wide PFAS testing in the community. The group of Trenton residents started meeting after Trenton Elementary School reported elevated levels of the ‘forever chemicals’ in 2019. The school’s water showed levels of 33.9 parts per trillion, which is above… 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 »