News & Press
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 »
Maine Legislature Passes Bill to Revitalize Rural Communities, Fight Climate Change with Production Tax Credit for Renewable Chemicals and Products
AUGUSTA, Maine, June 19, 2019—The Maine Senate today unanimously passed LD 1698, a production tax credit for renewable chemicals and products that will bring high-paying green jobs to rural Maine, sending the bill to Governor Janet Mills’ desk. The Senate vote follows a unanimous vote in the House. The legislation will incentivize new, climate-friendly biobased… Read more »
Maine Legislature Passes First-in-the-Nation Bill to Ban Toxic Chemicals from Food Packaging
The Safe Food Packaging Act will phase out PFAS and phthalates from food packaging and allow the state to restrict additional harmful food packaging chemicals AUGUSTA, Maine, June 4, 2019—Enacted unanimously on Tuesday by both the Maine House and Senate, a bill on the way today to Governor Janet Mills’ desk would establish a first-in-the-nation… Read more »
Mainers Rally for Law to Prevent Toxic Chemical Exposure and Contamination
LD 1433, The Safe Food Packaging Act, would phase out use of toxic PFAS and phthalates in food packaging AUGUSTA, Maine, April 17, 2019—Maine moms and dads, educators and students, health professionals, and members of the state’s farming, restaurant, and faith communities rallied at the State House today to support the only bill now before the… Read more »