Safe Water
PFAS in Freshwater Fish: Maine
PFAS is a toxic chemical that can contaminate the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil we use to grow our crops. Stories of PFAS found in farm animals have also increased. One area of contamination you may have seen in the news recently is the toxic chemicals found in fish! How…
Read MoreThe Fight Against PFAS Contamination in Tennessee
Today, we focus our sights on Tennessee in our ongoing series highlighting PFAS contamination issues nationwide. In 2019, the company 3M admitted that it had illegally released toxic chemicals into the Tennessee River from its Decatur, AL manufacturing plant. 3M did this, although it had been barred from doing so under the US Toxic Substances…
Read MoreHow the Global Plastics Treaty Can Change Our Relationship With Plastic For The Better
As we inch closer to the fourth session of the Global Plastic Treaty negotiations, it is important to understand our current relationship with plastic, how we got here, and how the Global Plastics Treaty can improve our relationship with plastic. Our dependence on plastic production from fossil fuels began in the 1960s, and for the past 65…
Read MoreThe Fight Against PFAS Contamination in South Carolina
PFAS contamination is an issue that is impacting farmlands all across the nation. From Maine to New Mexico, the rise in PFAS contamination has reached a crisis level and is impacting U.S. citizens from all backgrounds of life. Today, we are focusing our sights on South Carolina. According to The State, recent testing in South…
Read MoreDefend Our Health Featured on ‘What You’re Eating’ Podcast
Hosted by Jerusha Klemperer, in episode 16 titled “PFAS: The ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Your Food,” Food Print spoke to our campaign manager, Adam Nordell, to focus their attention on Maine to learn more about PFAS and how the chemicals have ended up in well water, on farms, in food, and ultimately in people’s bodies. Adam…
Read MoreInternship Reflection and 2023 Legislative Cycle
For the past few months I had the opportunity to work with Defend Our Health as an intern, where I focused on supporting priority bills in Maine’s 2023 legislative session. With my background in environmental health, and my current work as a public health analyst and a Physician’s for Social Responsibility Next Generation Climate Ambassador,…
Read MorePFAS Fund Administration Plan Officially Approved
On July 10th, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced that the PFAS Fund Advisory Committee adopted the Plan for Administration of the Fund to Address PFAS Contamination. According to the DACF, this newly adopted bill will provide direct support to PFAS-impacted farmers, purchase and manage PFAS-contaminated agricultural land, and fund research to…
Read MoreThe Fight Against PFAS Contamination in The Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast communities have long been subjected to the iron grip of petrochemical plants and oil companies. These communities, often BIPOC and low-income, are heavily subjected to the health impacts of both air and water contamination. Around 200 million Americans likely receive water that is contaminated with PFAS and the Gulf Coast is no stranger…
Read MoreHere’s what we’ve won!
Maine’s leading the nation by dumping a cancer-linked toxic chemical. The Maine Legislature passed a law to eliminate toxic PFAS from products we use every day. We’re the first state to get this done! (LD 1503) Maine will also protect our firefighters, whose risk of cancer is elevated by exposure to toxic chemicals. No longer…
Read MoreGrant Opportunity: Grassroots Work for Safe Food and Water
We’re thrilled to announce that this year, we are able to offer mini grants of up to $2,500 to grassroots leaders and community groups fighting for water and food that is free of toxic chemicals. These mini grants will be awarded to support grassroots organizing, research, testing, or advocacy to help rid our food supply and drinking…
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