PFAS can lead to conditions like kidney cancer, high cholesterol and thyroid disease.
forever chemicals
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 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.
A forever farm is no match for forever chemicals
A fourth-generation farmer running an organic dairy farm in Fairfield lost his livelihood when his milk and lands tested hot for PFAS contamination. ‘It got us good.’
Watchdog group: PFAS is active ingredient in 13% of Maine pesticides
An analysis by the Environmental Working Group found 55 so-called forever chemicals listed as active ingredients in 1,426 of Maine’s state-approved pesticides.
Rhode Island attorney general sues manufacturers of ‘forever chemicals’
Rhode Island joins other states, including Maine, that say companies sold hazardous chemicals for decades despite knowing the risks.
Our View: Farmers should get whatever it takes to overcome PFAS contamination
The state has an obligation to make farmers whole for the loss to their lives and livelihood.