Under the updated law, many common household items like cookware, cosmetics and children’s toys must be free of harmful forever chemicals.
forever chemicals
Are ‘forever chemicals’ present in all U.S. water sources? | Fact brief
Also known as PFAS, the chemicals have been linked to decreased fertility, developmental delays and increased risk of cancer.
Maine offers free medical tests for residents exposed to PFAS
Covering the cost of blood tests for more than 600 households in areas where farms used sludge to fertilize their fields represents a turning point in the state’s response to the crisis, from tracking to direct medical intervention.
EPA and Brunswick Executive Airport clinch chemical spill deal
The deal gives the airport board 2 years to clean or replace fire suppression systems, but does not hold the board responsible for off-campus pollution or levy a fine for the largest firefighting foam spill in Maine history.
Manufacturers seek product exemptions from Maine PFAS ban
Makers of products like nonstick cookware cite health, safety and functioning of society as reasons they should be able to continue selling products made with forever chemicals.
Maine issues new fish consumption limits for PFAS-tainted waters
Six bodies of water have new fish consumption advisories due to elevated levels of forever chemicals.
EPA restores $1.6M UMaine PFAS grant
The federal agency’s reversal comes 1 month after it declared that the University of Maine’s research into ways to reduce the effects of forever chemicals on farms was inconsistent with the EPA’s funding priorities.
After hailing them as important, EPA cancels PFAS research grants
Termination notices to Maine grant recipients said the work was ‘no longer consistent with EPA funding priorities.’ At least 2 of the 3 Maine recipients plan to appeal the termination.
Lawmakers consider $10M bailout for Fairfield water crisis
A bill would expand the public water system to Fairfield residents whose private wells have been contaminated by toxic forever chemicals from the state’s former agricultural sludge-spreading program.
Maine college students investigate health effects of forever chemicals
But the statewide biotech training program teaching them how to tackle local scientific challenges like this in the laboratory faces an uncertain future because of federal budget cuts.