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Advocates Decry Industry Lobbying to Repeal Most of Maine PFAS Products Law

Portland, Maine – Bic razors, Sterno canned heat, Barbour jackets, and Epic Designers work pants and vests – these are a few of the thousands of brand name products sold in Maine that contain PFAS – the ‘forever chemicals’ that have widely polluted drinking water and farms in Maine, according to newly released data submitted by 16 manufacturers under Maine law.

The 3M Company, which also manufactures PFAS, reported to the State of Maine that it sold more than 20,000 products that contain PFAS in the United States in 2021 and 2022, including Command picture hangers, Scotch-Brite clean & prep scuff sponges, Scotchlite reflective tape, Scotch restickable mounting squares, and Post-it® Flex Write Surface sheets. 

3M has announced that it will halt production of PFAS chemicals and work to phase out PFAS in all its products by the end of 2025.

“We applaud market leaders like 3M who are rapidly ending production and use of all PFAS,” stated Sarah Woodbury, vice president of programs and policy for the nonprofit Defend Our Health. “However, we are deeply dismayed by continued industry lobbying for a radical repeal of most of Maine’s law intended to prevent future PFAS pollution.”

The Environment and Natural Resources Committee of the Maine Legislature will hold a Work Session on Thursday, March 7 at 1 pm on LD 1537, An Act to Amend the Laws Relating to the Prevention of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution and to Provide Additional Funding, which was carried over from last Session.

A national campaign backed by the chemical industry and led locally by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce has called for a repeal of Maine’s PFAS reporting requirements, the very same mandate that has already revealed the use of PFAS in thousands of products. Further, the chemical industry coalition seeks to exempt about 75% of PFAS use from the law’s 2030 phase-out deadline, including refrigerants, the largest source of PFAS releases to the environment.

“Instead of a radical repeal, the Legislature should embrace a reasonable compromise,” Woodbury stated; “We support changes to the law to narrow PFAS reporting, but we strongly oppose blanket exemptions from the PFAS phase-out for most uses, including refrigerants.” 

The newly released manufacturer reports of PFAS in products sold in Maine are the second batch of records that Defend Our Health obtained and analyzed through a Freedom of Access Act public records request, which requires further review by the State due to claims of confidentiality. The first batch of PFAS use records was publicly released in early January 2024. These PFAS use reports were submitted by more than 60 manufacturers before the Legislature last year extended the PFAS use reporting deadline to January 1, 2025.

Companies Who Reported PFAS Use and the Products They Sell in Maine – March 2024 Batch

  • 3M – PFAS manufacturer that also sells more than 20,000 consumer, commercial and industrial products that contain PFAS
  • Aflex Hose – Industrial – flexible hoses that contain 4 PFAS chemicals
  • Arkema – PFAS manufacturer of 4 PFAS
  • Bonakemi – Floor Finish – specific PFAS use claimed confidential
  • Chem-Pak – Paints and Coatings – 1 PFAS compound in specialty coatings
  • Diversey – Floor Finish – and floor sealers; specific PFAS use claimed confidential
  • DuPont Shelter – Building Products – 2 PFAS blowing agents used in Styrofoam TM insulation board and Froth-Pak spray insulation foam
  • Epic Designers – Apparel – 8 PFAS use as stain repellent in men’s work pants and vests
  • J. Barbour & Sons – Apparel – Outerwear (waxed jackets) with 5 PFAS compounds
  • Oatley – Thread sealants used for construction, plumbing, automotive, etc.
  • QuestSpecialty – Penetrating oil containing 1 PFAS
  • Bic – Personal Care – PFAS coating on razor blades
  • State Industrial Products – Floor Finish – Specific PFAS use not disclosed
  • Sterno – Kitchen – Canned heat for food products; PFAS lining of can
  • TIGER Drylac – Paints and Coatings – powder coatings containing 2 PFAS
  • Woodstream – Pesticides – in product formulation or in plastic bottle packaging