Maine's efforts to combat pervasive PFAS pollution hold lessons for the nation

Maine leads the way in addressing widespread chemical contamination, grappling with the health and environmental impact of PFAS compounds.

Zoë Schlanger reports for The Atlantic.

In short:

• Maine faces a significant PFAS crisis, with decades of sewage sludge contaminating water and soil.
• The state has implemented rigorous standards and provided filters to residents, revealing significant contamination levels in local water sources.
• Despite new national standards set by the Biden administration, Maine's experience underscores the complexities and challenges of eliminating PFAS.

Key quote:

"It’s a reality for everyone; it’s just a matter of whether they know about it."

— Onur Apul, head of the PFAS Initiative, University of Maine

Why this matters:

Maine's proactive approach highlights both the urgency of addressing such pollutants and the difficulty of eradicating them from the environment, serving as a crucial model for national efforts. PFAS pollution is a pressing global health problem badly in need of a solution.