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Maine officials have been using an outdated “advisory” level from the USEPA of 70 parts per trillion, while experts and advocates are pushing to both reduce that number and establish a legally binding standard in the state.
Below are testimonies from top scientists, experts and advocates on two bills tackling the issues of PFAS contamination, calling for bold state action to protect the water supply and livelihood of Mainers:
“Additionally, it is important that PFAS regulation in drinking water extend just beyond PFOA and PFAS because its entire class of chemicals are a concern. There is a clear path forward; the technology to filter PFAS out of drinking water is readily available, and once exposure ends, levels and health risks will decrease.” David Andrews Ph.D., Senior Scientist at Environmental Working Group
“There is current research that has found a strong associate between PFAS exposure and COVID-19 severity, antibody response, and asthma … And there are other studies that have associated elevated PFAS with lower antibody responses to vaccinations in children and adults.” – Sharon Treat, Senior Attorney at the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy (IATP)
“The states and agencies that have set the strictest values have included considerations that more adequately protect infants and children who represent a vulnerable and more susceptible population for PFAS exposure … The young are also particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of PFAS due to their rapid growth development and the potential for the establishment of long-lasting health effects.” – Dr. Katherine Pelch, Assistant Professor at University of North Texas Health Science Center
“Maine is an outlier in using the outdated USEPA standard. Our northern New England neighbors all have set more health protective standards … Drinking water that is considered safe here should not be considered toxic in neighboring states.” – Sarah Woodbury, Director of Advocacy at Defend Our Health
“Clearly, due to the wide differences in state MCLs across the country it will be better when the EPA is able to show some leadership. Meanwhile, people should not be left to think that a contamination requiring action in a neighboring state is just fine here. It makes sense to set a standard now that is at least consistent with Vermont or Massachusetts.” – Lani Graham, MD, MPH, former director of the Maine Bureau of Health, retired family physician, and member of the Governor’s PFAS Task Force
