News & Press
PFAS Task Force Recommendations Not Strong Enough: Statement
AUGUSTA – Governor Janet Mill’s PFAS Task Force on Tuesday released draft recommendations for tackling toxic PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contaminating food, water, and farmland in Maine. The draft recommendations mark a good first step toward addressing this emerging public health crisis, but fall short of what is needed to protect public health and… Read more »
Staples launches new policy to drive toxic chemicals out of office supplies, electronics, textiles, and other products
New commitment targets PFAS, organohalogen flame retardants, phthalates, bisphenols, and other dangerous chemicals for safe substitution WASHINGTON, D.C. — Answering consumer demand for products free from toxic chemicals as a result of the national Mind the Store campaign in which the Portland, Maine-based Environmental Health Strategy Center is a key leader, Staples today launched a… Read more »
Maine Discovers New Toxic PFAS Contamination in Drinking Water
‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in Water Supplies Serving Towns, Schools and Mobile Home Parks in Arundel, Fayette, Georgetown, Lisbon Falls, Livermore Falls, Mexico, Sanford, and Topsham AUGUSTA–The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) presented a new report to the Governor’s PFAS Task Force on Tuesday that showed 9 out of 19 public water supplies… Read more »
Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali, International Speaker and Environmental Justice Leader, to Speak in South Portland
Dr. Ali Wins Leadership Award, Will Give Keynote at 2019 Celebration for Our Healthy Future PORTLAND, Maine—Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali, a pioneering thought leader for environmental justice and sought-after international speaker, will give the keynote address at the 2019 Celebration for Our Healthy Future, the annual fundraising event for the Portland-based health advocacy organization the Environmental… Read more »
Maine Regulators Take First Step Toward Replacing Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ with Safer Alternatives: Statement
PORTLAND, Maine—The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued a proposal to designate toxic PFOS (a kind of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance) a priority chemical and require disclosure of its use in multiple product categories, the Portland Press Herald reported today. In response, Mike Belliveau, executive director of the Portland-based Environmental Health… Read more »
Hannaford to restrict toxic chemicals in food packaging and beauty products
Retailer banning PFAS, phthalates, and BPA PORTLAND, Maine – Hannaford parent company Ahold Delhaize USA today announced a new “sustainable chemistry commitment” that restricts toxic chemicals—including PFAS (per- and polyfluoralkyl substances), phthalates, and BPA (bisphenol-A)—from its products. The policy applies to its own branded products in the following categories: all grocery, baby food, and infant formula, as well… Read more »
Children, Parents, Health Advocates To Protest and Deliver Petition to Kraft Heinz Headquarters Demanding Elimination of Toxic Chemicals from its Products
PITTSBURGH, Penn. – During back-to-school week, as parents seek healthy food to pack for kids’ school lunches, moms, kids, and environmental health advocates from nonprofits across the country will stage a protest and deliver petition signatures representing over 100,000 concerned consumers to Kraft Heinz Company headquarters in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, August 28, at 11am, to… Read more »
Maine Dairy Farmer’s Blood Contains Toxic Chemical 25 Times Higher than National Average: Statement
Test results show farmers bear body burden when toxic PFAS in consumer products end up in sewage sludge used as fertilizer PORTLAND, Maine, August 15, 2019—Dairy farmer Fred Stone in Arundel, Maine, reported today that blood tests showed his body contains extraordinarily high levels of PFOS. Stone’s farm and livelihood has been devastated by toxic… Read more »
New Study Finds Toxic Chemicals in Plastic Gloves Used at McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s
Harmful plasticizer chemicals in some food service gloves leach into food upon contact, and children and pregnant women are most vulnerable to harmful health effects July 25, 2019–An alarming new report finds that disposable PVC food-handling gloves used in restaurants nationwide may contain toxic plasticizer chemicals called ortho-phthalates (THAL-eights) that leach into the food we… Read more »
As States Act Against Toxic Chemicals in Products and Packaging, ExxonMobil and Chemical Industry Attempt End Run Around New Regulations
Chemical industry appears to bet on Trump EPA to circumvent state laws addressing toxic chemicals that harm human health AUGUSTA, Maine, June 26, 2019—As momentum grew in Maine to ban toxic phthalates (THAL-eights) from food packaging, the multinational chemical industry, represented by ExxonMobil and the American Chemistry Council, approached the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 24… Read more »