News & Press
Sewer Districts, Casella Try to Derail Legislation to Stop Spread of PFAS-contaminated Sludge
Augusta, Maine – Industry interests are working with public sewer districts to distribute questionable information in advance of a legislative committee meeting on Monday to consider a proposal to put an end to the use of PFAS contaminated fertilizer. Multiple sewer districts sent communications to legislators late Friday in opposition to LD 1911 and an amendment… Read more »
Statement from Patrick MacRoy, Defend Deputy Director on Briefing from Maine DEP to the ENR Committee:
“We appreciate the DEP’s efforts to implement the soil and water testing mandated by LD 1600 passed last year. However, the state continues to have much work to do in order to address the PFAS crisis. We must turn off the tap of PFAS continuing to enter the environment that is adding to the burden… Read more »
People of Color Must Be Protected from Toxic Phthalates, Groups Say
Feds Must Assess Cumulative Impacts from All Sources of Chemical Exposure In comments submitted on December 8th, four public health and environmental justice organizations called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to formally designate people of color as a vulnerable population that must be protected from unreasonable health risks caused by exposure to the plastics-related chemicals… Read more »
New Online Guide to Toxic-Free Food Safety Launched
To help food & beverage industry select sustainable food contact materials A new online resource – Toxic-Free Food Contact – provides practical guidance to the food and beverage industry on how to identify safer and more sustainable food packaging, food processing equipment, and food service ware. The free web-based resource identifies suppliers of preferred food contact materials… Read more »
Defend Our Health Applauds Maine Attorney General for Pushing State Forward in the Fight Against ‘Forever Chemicals’
The Office of the Attorney General is accepting proposals from law firms to assist the State with handling claims involving toxic PFAS as well as PCB chemicals Portland, Maine – Late yesterday, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) announced that they are taking on the fight against toxic chemicals that have been impacting the health and… Read more »
Groundbreaking PFAS Bills in Maine
Augusta, Maine, July 15 – Products containing toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ will no longer be allowed in Maine by 2030, unless the chemicals’ uses have been specifically designated by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as currently unavoidable. LD 1503, which became law today, is a significant step forward for Maine, but also provides a national… Read more »
Toxic Chemicals Found in Some Beverage Packaging
Chemicals known to harm pregnant women and children were found in the plastic liners of the metal caps used on many glass bottles Market leaders are switching to safer bottle caps, but many brands lag behind Portland, ME — A new report by the Toxic Free Food Campaign titled “Capped With Toxics” found toxic chemicals… Read more »
Defend Our Health Applauds Maine Legislature and Governor Mills for Passage of Bill Tackling PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’
Maine joins growing list of states that have set limits on PFAS in drinking water in absence of federal standard Augusta, Maine – This afternoon, Governor Janet Mills signed into law LD 129 which will set a reduced maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS in drinking water that is in line with neighboring states like Massachusetts,… Read more »
Defend Our Health Applauds Maine Legislature and Governor Mills for Passage of Health Protective Lead Bill
Maine sets a health protective standard for lead in school drinking water Augusta, Maine – This week Governor Janet Mills signed into law LD 206 which will require schools in Maine to test the drinking water they provide to students for lead and establish meaningful protections based on sound science. This aligns Maine with other northeastern… Read more »
Internationally Renowned Experts, Community Members Testified on PFAS Drinking Water Standards in Maine
Health and science experts, and community advocates testified yesterday before Maine’s Health and Human Services Committee concerning LD 1388 “An Act To Require Testing of Public Drinking Water Supplies for Toxic Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and To Establish Maximum Contaminant Levels” introduced by Rep. Bill Pluecker (I-Warren). The bill would require testing of public drinking water supplies… Read more »