Maine senators have teamed up across party lines to tackle the pressing issue of PFAS contamination in the state's drinking water, aiming to amend existing laws for broader testing and support.
AnnMarie Hilton reports for Maine Morning Star.
In short:
- The legislation seeks to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act, allowing states more flexibility to use federal funds for testing private wells for PFAS, also known as forever chemicals.
- This initiative is part of a broader effort, backed by $5 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to ensure safe drinking water nationwide, especially in small and disadvantaged communities.
- Maine leads the charge in addressing PFAS contamination, with proactive measures including a reporting rule for manufacturers and future bans on products containing these chemicals.
Key quote:
"Every Maine household deserves access to clean drinking water free of harsh or toxic chemicals like PFAS."
— Angus King, independent senator from Maine
Why this matters:
According to studies by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to various PFAS may result in reproductive and developmental, liver and kidney, and immunological effects in laboratory animals, with the most consistent findings being increased cholesterol levels among exposed populations.
Last year, the EPA released proposed drinking water standards for six “forever chemicals.”
