News & Press
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 »
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, Defend Our Health is urging Maine to level the playing field by prohibiting unnecessary toxic per- and… Read more »
Defend Our Health Applaud Committee Passage of Lead Testing Bill
Following eye-opening events in Flint, Michigan, Maine sets a health protective standard for lead in school drinking water Augusta, Maine – The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee voted today to take a critical step towards protecting school children in Maine from toxic chemicals. The committee passed a bill to increase health protections for Maine children… Read more »
Additional PFAS-contaminated Wells in Fairfield Demand Policy Response
Health advocates call for stricter standards, follow-up testing PORTLAND, MAINE – With reports of additional residential water wells contaminated with toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” in Fairfield, advocates are increasing the call for state action and legislation to address the problem. In determining whether or not wells are contaminated, Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and… Read more »