Complex supply chains and inconsistent reporting requirements are making it hard for manufacturers to identify whether their products contain forever chemicals.
PFAS
UMaine developing interactive tool to track PFAS nationwide
A university team is creating a tracker that strives to connect state and federal testing data back to the likely source of contamination, note the potential impacts on food and water supplies and map out how PFAS travels through the environment.
Contaminated farm in Unity to become PFAS research site
Songbird Farm is one of a growing number of farms found to be contaminated with so-called forever chemicals from sludge fertilizer spread on fields, once a common, state-sanctioned practice.
Lawmakers hear how other states are catching up to Maine on PFAS regulation
Thirty-three states have introduced about 200 new PFAS policies or laws this year alone.
Monmouth considers water solutions amid high ‘forever chemical’ levels in wells
Town officials are exploring the prospect of expanding Monmouth’s centralized water distribution system to North Monmouth to help alleviate the situation.
A $35 million biosolids facility in Norridgewock could be answer to state’s sludge disposal crisis
Waste Management Disposal Services is working to secure approval for the treatment plant at the Crossroads Landfill it operates in Norridgewock.
Maine sludge crisis is over – for 2 years, at least
A temporary compromise reached by lawmakers means Maine communities are once again burying sewage sludge in the state-owned landfill at Juniper Ridge near Old Town, and don’t have to pay extra to haul the waste to New Brunswick, Canada.
Lawmakers tour Maine before negotiating next federal farm bill
Maine needs federal policy to be flexible enough to support small specialty farmers, keep food banks full and provide relief to farmers struggling with PFAS contamination, lawmakers are told at a U.S. Congress agricultural field hearing.
State adopts $70 million plan to help farmers deal with PFAS contamination
The fund will dedicate $30.3 million in grants to get farmers back on their feet, $21.5 million in compensation for contaminated land, $7.3 million for medical needs and $11.2 million for scientific research.
Study finds drinking water from nearly half of U.S. faucets contains ‘forever chemicals’
Researchers describe the study as the first nationwide effort to test for PFAS in tap water from private sources in addition to regulated ones.