Press release by Defend Our Health
“Augusta, Maine – This afternoon, Governor Janet Mills signed into law LD 129 which will set a reduced maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS in drinking water that is in line with neighboring states like Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. This bill will set an interim limit of 20 parts-per-trillion (ppt) for six types of PFAS, a major improvement from the previously used federal advisory level of 70 ppt for only 2 types – a level that top scientists and health care professionals deemed too high and inadequately health protective.
This is a major victory for the health and safety of Mainers and in the fight for safe drinking water standards across the state. PFAS ‘forever chemicals,’ can increase the risk of some cancers, cause possible harm to the immune system and decrease responses to vaccines. Over the past few years, there have been an increase in stories of drinking water contamination by toxic PFAS across Maine. Over a hundred wells in the Fairfield, Benton, Unity Township and Oakland areas have been contaminated by PFAS, in addition to previously reported contamination in Presque Isle and Trenton, as well as the public supply from the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Wells Water District…”