Posts Tagged ‘PFAS’
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 MorePFAS Action Act: Sewage Sludge Contamination
PFAS contamination via sewage sludge has impacted the lives of many farmers in Maine and across the county, so much so that a sludge crisis has ravaged multiple states. The biggest question on your mind may be, “How does this happen?.” Sewage sludge is the leftover contaminant from treating wastewater. Whenever we flush anything down…
Read MoreDefend’s 5-Year Reflection: Our Track Record on Solving The PFAS Crisis
Over the past five years, Defend Our Health has lived up to its name by consistently advocating for the right to equal access to safe food and drinking water. Defend has led the nation in effectively protecting public health and ensuring justice for people harmed by ‘forever chemicals’ known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl) for…
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 MorePFAS Impacted Farmers Hold Press Conference in Michigan
Yesterday, PFAS impacted farmers from across the country are gathered to speak to the media about what the contamination has meant for their livelihoods and their businesses in a press conference. Impacted farmers and policy experts will speak about the economic and health impacts of the contamination of farmland with the so called ‘forever chemicals.’ Speakers…
Read MoreRelief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act: The Importance of Supporting the Farmlands
Farmlands across the country are an important part of our everyday lives. They sustain life by providing us with the food that we need to survive. They also provide shelter for wildlife, help control flooding, maintain air quality, and protect wetlands and watersheds. Maine is no stranger to PFAS contamination and our struggle is linked…
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…
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