PFAS chemicals
WBUR's ongoing coverage of so-called "forever chemicals" known as PFAS.
Over 1,600 gallons of PFAS firefighting foam spills into environment in Maine
The firefighting foam containing PFAS was accidentally discharged in a hangar at what's now the Brunswick Executive Airport before entering the sewer and storm water systems.
Massachusetts moves to phase out PFAS from firefighter gear
Gov. Maura Healey signed a new law that will ban the sale of any firefighting jackets, pants, shoes, gloves and helmets that contain the cancer-linked chemicals, beginning in 2027.
EPA will force polluters to pay for PFAS cleanup
The EPA has singled out two chemicals, PFOS and PFOA, as particularly harmful, stating in a press release Friday that "there is no level of exposure to these contaminants without...
New federal PFAS rules to protect health will cost Mass. communities millions
About 181 water systems in Massachusetts will be affected by new EPA limits on PFAS in drinking water. About 95 water systems in the state will now have to address...
Personal injury firms look for people exposed to PFAS from Joint Base Cape Cod
Attorneys estimate that more than 100 who’ve already joined the case were exposed to the so-called “forever chemicals” linked to cancer, thyroid diseases, fertility issues and more while working with...
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Maine nonprofit buys PFAS-contaminated farm to help 'forever chemicals' research
A nonprofit group has purchased a central Maine farm that is heavily contaminated with PFAS and is opening it up to researchers with the goal of shedding light on ways...
Saint-Gobain announces closure of Merrimack facility at the center of PFAS controversy
The announcement comes less than a week after the facility was approved for a contentious permit that would have allowed the company to operate in Merrimack through 2028.
Maine environmental regulators move to ban PFAS in food packaging
Maine was the second state — after Washington — to pass a law in 2019 aimed at removing PFAS from fast-food wrappers, pizza boxes, picnic plates, take-out containers and other...
Mass. firefighters and families take on PFAS 'forever chemicals'
Firefighters are on the front lines of the effort to regulate PFAS because they have been particularly exposed to these chemicals through their jobs and equipment.
Drinking water in eastern area of Mass. passed state and federal PFAS standards
Massachusetts drinking water met every federal and state drinking water standard in 2022, including current and proposed PFAS standards, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority said Tuesday.
Who will pay to clean dangerous PFAS chemicals out of our water supplies?
One settlement and one pending case might provide some clues.
Study: Toxic contamination at Joint Base Cape Cod could persist for centuries
Toxic PFAS chemicals from a fire training site at Joint Base Cape Cod are still leaching into groundwater decades after training took place, according to a new study from Harvard...
Mass. firefighters and their families are on the front lines of a battle with 'forever chemicals'
PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals," are found in the protective gear firefighters wear. Some members of the firefighting community are raising concerns about the health risks of PFAS, and...
Our sewage often becomes fertilizer. Problem is, it's tainted with PFAS
About half the wastewater sludge in the United States is turned into fertilizer. Some want to ban the practice because the sludge contains PFAS and can contaminate food crops. Others...
Firefighter union sues Mass. group over toxic chemicals in protective gear
The International Association of Fire Fighters is suing the Quincy-based group that sets national standards for firefighters' protective gear, saying it colluded with industry and set guidelines that resulted in...
EPA proposes regulations on 6 toxic 'forever chemicals' in drinking water
The regulations would limit the two most common PFAS chemicals — PFOA and PFOS — to four parts per trillion; and also limit any mixture containing one or more of...
In 13 state parks, Mass. officials issue advisories for fish consumption due to PFAS
The recommendations vary based on the body of water, the type of fish and the person eating it. The ponds, lakes and reservoirs with new warnings include Walden Pond in...
Tracing the path of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ inside the body
PFAS have been linked to a long and growing list of health concerns. Scientists are beginning to better understand how these chemicals affect so many different organs and systems in...
Private well owners stuck with costs to treat 'forever chemicals'
There are no state or federal regulations regarding private wells and the chemicals known as PFAS. This gap creates inequities for the 600,000 Massachusetts residents who get drinking water from...
Toxic 'forever chemicals' force Mass. towns to face 'true cost of water'
Massachusetts' limit on PFAS in drinking water is one of the strictest in the country. Removing the chemicals from drinking water can cost millions, and so far, communities have footed...