News & Press
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 »
In Important First Step, Maine Requires Reporting of a “Forever Chemical” in Consumer Products
Advocates call for passage of pending legislation to expand scope to all uses of all PFAS The Maine Board of Environmental Protection adopted a rule today requiring manufacturers to report the use of PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) in a wide range of consumer products. Under Maine’s Kid Safe Products Act, the reporting requirement is a first step in… Read more »
Mainers Urge Lawmakers to Hold ‘Forever Chemicals’ Polluters Accountable
After news of second farm with high levels of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in milk, impacted Mainers, health advocates, and legislators speak out Impacted Mainers, experts, health advocates, and a legislator spoke out publicly Monday at a virtual press conference demanding the state take urgent action and hold polluters accountable after news broke that another Maine… Read more »