PFAS chemicals can be found in soil, drinking water, the air, food packaging, cosmetics, cookware, various household products, and industrial workplaces--resulting in widespread exposure to humans and the environment.
Maine Leads US in Becoming First State to Ban 'Forever Chemicals' in Products
"This policy sets a strong national precedent that sends a clear signal to industry that we need to move quickly toward safer chemistry and away from toxic chemicals like PFAS."
Maine enacted a groundbreaking law on Thursday, banning the use of so-called "forever chemicals" in all products by 2030, except in instances deemed "currently unavoidable."
Maine is the first state in the U.S. and first government in the world to implement a ban on the toxic chemicals per- and polyfluoroalkyl, known as PFAS, which are notorious for not breaking down easily in the environment and can remain in a person's body for decades after exposure.
"I am proud to see Maine taking action that will change the conversation on how PFAS are regulated, not only addressing the entire class, but creating the requirement to avoid these persistent and toxic chemicals wherever possible," said Patrick MacRoy, the deputy director of Defend Our Health, a public health organization in Maine that coordinated with experts and community advocates to get the bill passed.
The man-made chemicals can be found in soil, drinking water, the air, food packaging, cosmetics, cookware, various household products, and industrial workplaces--resulting in widespread exposure to humans and the environment.
A 2015 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found PFAS present in 97% of Americans' blood.
Democratic state House Representative Lori Gramlich who sponsored the bill, told Reuters, "PFAS is at a crisis level here in Maine--it's in the soil, groundwater, and household items, and it is making people severely sick."
PFAS have been associated with numerous health effects, including low infant birth weights, liver and kidney disease, disruptions of the immune and reproductive systems, and cancer.
While the statewide ban does not take affect until January 2030, manufacturers will have to begin reporting the presence of PFAS chemicals in their products to the Maine Department of Environmental Quality starting in January 2023.
"This policy sets a strong national precedent that sends a clear signal to industry that we need to move quickly toward safer chemistry and away from toxic chemicals like PFAS," said Sarah Doll, the national director of Safer States, a public health advocacy group that advocates for stronger legislation on PFAS at the state level.
Maine has emerged as a climate leader, recently passing two additional landmark environmental laws. In June it became the first state to pass a bill requiring the government's divestment from fossil fuels by 2026 and on July 13th Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed a bill that shifted costs of recycling from taxpayers to companies, the first bill of its kind in the country.
An Urgent Message From Our Co-Founder
Dear Common Dreams reader, The U.S. is on a fast track to authoritarianism like nothing I've ever seen. Meanwhile, corporate news outlets are utterly capitulating to Trump, twisting their coverage to avoid drawing his ire while lining up to stuff cash in his pockets. That's why I believe that Common Dreams is doing the best and most consequential reporting that we've ever done. Our small but mighty team is a progressive reporting powerhouse, covering the news every day that the corporate media never will. Our mission has always been simple: To inform. To inspire. And to ignite change for the common good. Now here's the key piece that I want all our readers to understand: None of this would be possible without your financial support. That's not just some fundraising cliche. It's the absolute and literal truth. We don't accept corporate advertising and never will. We don't have a paywall because we don't think people should be blocked from critical news based on their ability to pay. Everything we do is funded by the donations of readers like you. The final deadline for our crucial Summer Campaign fundraising drive is just days away, and we’re falling short of our must-hit goal. Will you donate now to help power the nonprofit, independent reporting of Common Dreams? Thank you for being a vital member of our community. Together, we can keep independent journalism alive when it’s needed most. - Craig Brown, Co-founder |
Maine enacted a groundbreaking law on Thursday, banning the use of so-called "forever chemicals" in all products by 2030, except in instances deemed "currently unavoidable."
Maine is the first state in the U.S. and first government in the world to implement a ban on the toxic chemicals per- and polyfluoroalkyl, known as PFAS, which are notorious for not breaking down easily in the environment and can remain in a person's body for decades after exposure.
"I am proud to see Maine taking action that will change the conversation on how PFAS are regulated, not only addressing the entire class, but creating the requirement to avoid these persistent and toxic chemicals wherever possible," said Patrick MacRoy, the deputy director of Defend Our Health, a public health organization in Maine that coordinated with experts and community advocates to get the bill passed.
The man-made chemicals can be found in soil, drinking water, the air, food packaging, cosmetics, cookware, various household products, and industrial workplaces--resulting in widespread exposure to humans and the environment.
A 2015 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found PFAS present in 97% of Americans' blood.
Democratic state House Representative Lori Gramlich who sponsored the bill, told Reuters, "PFAS is at a crisis level here in Maine--it's in the soil, groundwater, and household items, and it is making people severely sick."
PFAS have been associated with numerous health effects, including low infant birth weights, liver and kidney disease, disruptions of the immune and reproductive systems, and cancer.
While the statewide ban does not take affect until January 2030, manufacturers will have to begin reporting the presence of PFAS chemicals in their products to the Maine Department of Environmental Quality starting in January 2023.
"This policy sets a strong national precedent that sends a clear signal to industry that we need to move quickly toward safer chemistry and away from toxic chemicals like PFAS," said Sarah Doll, the national director of Safer States, a public health advocacy group that advocates for stronger legislation on PFAS at the state level.
Maine has emerged as a climate leader, recently passing two additional landmark environmental laws. In June it became the first state to pass a bill requiring the government's divestment from fossil fuels by 2026 and on July 13th Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed a bill that shifted costs of recycling from taxpayers to companies, the first bill of its kind in the country.
Maine enacted a groundbreaking law on Thursday, banning the use of so-called "forever chemicals" in all products by 2030, except in instances deemed "currently unavoidable."
Maine is the first state in the U.S. and first government in the world to implement a ban on the toxic chemicals per- and polyfluoroalkyl, known as PFAS, which are notorious for not breaking down easily in the environment and can remain in a person's body for decades after exposure.
"I am proud to see Maine taking action that will change the conversation on how PFAS are regulated, not only addressing the entire class, but creating the requirement to avoid these persistent and toxic chemicals wherever possible," said Patrick MacRoy, the deputy director of Defend Our Health, a public health organization in Maine that coordinated with experts and community advocates to get the bill passed.
The man-made chemicals can be found in soil, drinking water, the air, food packaging, cosmetics, cookware, various household products, and industrial workplaces--resulting in widespread exposure to humans and the environment.
A 2015 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found PFAS present in 97% of Americans' blood.
Democratic state House Representative Lori Gramlich who sponsored the bill, told Reuters, "PFAS is at a crisis level here in Maine--it's in the soil, groundwater, and household items, and it is making people severely sick."
PFAS have been associated with numerous health effects, including low infant birth weights, liver and kidney disease, disruptions of the immune and reproductive systems, and cancer.
While the statewide ban does not take affect until January 2030, manufacturers will have to begin reporting the presence of PFAS chemicals in their products to the Maine Department of Environmental Quality starting in January 2023.
"This policy sets a strong national precedent that sends a clear signal to industry that we need to move quickly toward safer chemistry and away from toxic chemicals like PFAS," said Sarah Doll, the national director of Safer States, a public health advocacy group that advocates for stronger legislation on PFAS at the state level.
Maine has emerged as a climate leader, recently passing two additional landmark environmental laws. In June it became the first state to pass a bill requiring the government's divestment from fossil fuels by 2026 and on July 13th Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed a bill that shifted costs of recycling from taxpayers to companies, the first bill of its kind in the country.