A legislative push to remove toxic firefighting foam from Maine storage sites advanced with strong bipartisan support after a major PFAS spill, but two key proposals still await funding.
AnnMarie Hilton reports for Maine Morning Star.
In short:
- A 2024 PFAS-laced foam spill at Brunswick Executive Airport triggered a legislative response including three bills to remove and manage AFFF, a firefighting foam linked to cancer and environmental harm.
- One bill, LD 407, which forces the local airport authority to dispose of remaining AFFF, passed both chambers and now heads to Gov. Janet Mills for approval.
- Two other bills — LD 400, to create a statewide AFFF inventory, and LD 222, to establish a voluntary takeback program — won initial approval but still need budget allocations.
Key quote:
“It will create the infrastructure with a single spending action that is not ongoing and the state will be able to get rid of every drop of this terrible poison.”
— Rep. Dan Ankeles, D-Brunswick
Why this matters:
PFAS, the toxic class of chemicals found in Aqueous Film Forming Foam, don’t break down easily. They persist in soil, water, and even human blood. Linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and immune system damage, PFAS have sparked growing alarm as contamination spreads across the U.S., especially near military sites and airports. Maine has already moved to limit AFFF use, but vast stores still linger in fire stations and industrial facilities. Without secure funding and infrastructure to locate and dispose of these chemicals, the risk of further accidental releases remains. The Brunswick spill serves as a cautionary tale, reminding communities that legacy pollution can reemerge unexpectedly.
