Federal toxicologist, health advocates push for tougher limits on ‘forever chemicals’

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • April 13, 2021

The federal government’s former top toxicologist testified Tuesday in support of setting tougher limits in Maine on so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water, but cautioned the state may want to be even more aggressive. Maine lawmakers are considering nearly a dozen bills seeking to address growing concerns about contamination with PFAS, a class of widely used industrial chemicals that have been linked to health problems. Frustrated by slow federal action, groups are pushing for Maine to join a handful of other states – including Massachusetts and Vermont – in setting an aggressive health standard in drinking water of 20 parts per trillion of six types of PFAS.