Maine State Chamber holds PFAS forum, focus on Maine law

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) – Maine State Chamber held a forum Wednesday at The Governor Hill Mansion to hear how the state’s “PFAS in products” law affects businesses and consumers across industries.

PFAS are a family of man-made chemicals that exist in many household products like nonstick cookware and cleaning products. They are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because of how slowly they breakdown, causing pollution that goes into water and soil.

Maine was one of the first states to implement PFAS laws, requiring businesses to report all products that have intentional PFAS. The law also bans certain items containing PFAS from being sold in the state, beginning in 2030.

PFAS do have legitimate uses in medicine, aviation, automobile, and other industries.

Due to the nuanced nature of PFAS, Maine State Chamber President Patrick Woodcock says it’s critical to include professionals in an array of industries to voice how the state’s PFAS law will impact them.

“This is emerging so quickly across the country, across the globe,” said Woodcock about PFAS. “What we’re trying to bring is some thought leadership to Maine. See if there’s some best practices that we can apply, improve Maine’s law, address the pollution in the most cost-effective way and also protect the industries that are employing and investing  in our state.”

Woodcock says the hope is to protect essential use of PFAS in industries that utilize the chemicals, but limit them in consumer products.

Amendments aiming to make “PFAS in products” law more workable for Maine businesses are currently being considered by state and legislative officials.

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