New Hampshire
Sununu signs one bill targeting ‘forever chemicals’ but vetoes another • New Hampshire Bulletin
Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill Friday that bans certain products with intentionally added PFAS from sale in the state starting in 2027 and creates strict liability for PFAS polluters.
He vetoed another measure that would have created liability for PFAS facilities, citing its “broad” definition and the fact that its standard for chemical concentrations that would trigger regulatory action contradicted the other bill he signed. The standard of the vetoed bill was significantly stricter.
PFAS – or or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are linked to a number of health problems, including some cancers, weakened immune systems, high cholesterol, development issues, and more. They are commonly used in industrial and consumer products for their stain- and water-resistant properties.
Sen. Denise Ricciardi, a Bedford Republican who worked on the liability portion of the signed measure, House Bill 1649, called it a “landmark bill” that was “long, long overdue.”
The bill creates a right to civil action for certain PFAS contamination. It also holds facilities “strictly liable” to the state “for containment, cleanup, restoration, or other remediation related to the release or threatened release of hazardous waste or hazardous material in accordance with applicable law and departmental rules.”
Rep. Karen Ebel, a New London Democrat who was the prime sponsor, said she was “ecstatic” for this moment of progress for the state.
“This is a huge step forward for the people of New Hampshire,” she said. “Our state has been burdened so much by PFAS contamination, especially in the southern part of the state. And there really isn’t any way … to effectively tackle the problem if we don’t stop using these dangerous forever chemicals in our products.”
The law bans a number of products with intentionally added PFAS but does not include those with accidental contamination that may happen during the production or shipping processes. The ban will include:
- Carpets or rugs;
- Cosmetics;
- Textile treatments, such as those that add PFAS for stain- or water-resistant properties;
- Feminine hygiene products, such as tampons and pads;
- Food packaging and containers, such as plates, bowls, and bags;
- Products for children under 12, such as high chairs, playmats, and strollers;
- Upholstered furniture; and
- Textile furnishings, such as draperies, bedding, and towels.
The ban exempts medical devices, adult mattresses, personal computers, wireless phones, and some other electronics. It also allows products with at least 85 percent recycled content, the resale of products made before the ban, and replacement parts for products manufactured before 2027.
The bill includes an appropriation of $250,000 to the Department of Environmental Services for “expenses associated with the PFAS restrictions on consumer products.”
The vetoed bill, House Bill 1415, would have held liable PFAS facilities that release such chemicals into the groundwater or surface water in total combined concentrations of 100 parts per trillion or greater. The standard created by the signed bill was much less strict, at 10,000 parts per trillion.
“This contrary language makes it extremely difficult to administer both and enforce them appropriately,” Sununu wrote.
He added: “It is extremely important to hold appropriate parties accountable for their actions, but this legislation misses the mark.”
The sponsor of that bill, Rep. Nancy Murphy, a Merrimack Democrat, said she was glad the PFAS products bill was signed, calling it a “good first step,” though one that “greatly needs to be improved.”
On the veto, she said she was “very disappointed” but “not at all surprised.” “Legislation that is less protective of the environment and public health leaves NH citizen taxpayers holding the bag,” she said.
“We don’t have lobbyists at the State House protecting our best interests,” she said. “… That’s our job as state reps, and it’s unfortunate when paid lobbyists for polluters are heard, their voices are heard above that of actual constituents and the people that the government is supposed to be working for.”
A new study showing deaths from rectal cancer are rising sharply among younger adults in their 30s and 40s — a troubling trend that researchers in a recent study say is not fully understood — is an important reminder for New Hampshire to include screening in their regular checkups.
The study, published March 2 in the American Cancer Society journal, found colorectal cancers — once more common in older adults — are increasingly diagnosed in younger people and are often more advanced at detection.
Colorectal cancer includes both colon and rectal cancer. In New Hampshire, 31.9 in 100,000 people were diagnosed from 2018 to 2022, according to the researchers’ analysis of federal health data. Death rates from 2019 to 2023 were 10.9 in 100,000 people.
Researchers said rectal cancer deaths could surpass colon cancer deaths by 2035 if current trends continue. Colorectal cancer is already the leading cause of cancer death among Americans under 50, with mortality in that group rising about 1% per year even as death rates decline among older adults, particularly those 65 and older.
Rectal tumors now account for about one-third of all colorectal cancer diagnoses, up from roughly one-quarter in earlier decades, indicating a growing share of the overall burden. Overall incidence has declined slightly, driven by a roughly 2.5% annual drop among adults 65 and older, but it is rising in younger groups—about 3% per year among those ages 20 to 49 and 0.4% annually among those 50 to 64. As a result, nearly half of new cases now occur in people under 65, up from about a quarter in the mid-1990s.
See also: AG: ‘Certain Issues…Warrant Further Review’ Of North Country Healthcare
Researchers estimate 158,850 new colorectal cancer cases and 55,230 deaths nationwide in 2026, with about 45% of diagnoses and nearly one-third of deaths expected in people younger than 65.
The reasons for the rise in younger adults remain unclear. Researchers point to possible links to diet, obesity, environmental exposures and other lifestyle factors, as well as changes in the gut microbiome.
See also: Botulism Risk On Certain Lots Of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, NH DHHS Says
As these generations age, the burden of rectal cancer “will continue to swell like a tsunami moving through time, underscoring an urgent need for etiologic research to discover the cause of rising incidence,” the researchers said.
New Hampshire
6 from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, California charged in alleged Cali to Mass drug trafficking conspiracy after 12 kilos of cocaine, 1 kilo of fentanyl seized
BOSTON – According to a release from the Massachusetts Department of Justice, six individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy that involved shipments of packages containing kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl from California for further distribution in Massachusetts:
- Edwal Vargas, a/k/a “Max,” 34, of Swampscott, Mass., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; one count of money laundering conspiracy; and one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine;
- Yanivel Gomez, a/k/a “Ashley,” 31, of Peabody, Mass., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of money laundering conspiracy;
- George Salvatore Landingham, 33, of North Andover, Mass., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine;
- Stephanie Tejeda, 33, of Hudson, N.H., was indicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy;
- Tyrone Shepherd, 41, of Chestnut Hill, Mass., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; and
- Gustavo Tavares, 44, of Studio City, Calif., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
According to the charging documents, more than 260 UPS packages were shipped from California to various addresses in Massachusetts by members of the conspiracy. It is alleged that several of those packages were seized during the investigation and found to contain approximately 12 kilograms of cocaine and a kilogram of fentanyl.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of at least 10 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah Foley; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Nathaniel Yeager of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force as part of Operation Take Back America.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
-
Texas4 minutes agoTexas hemp groups seek injunction as hearing begins over state’s hemp ban rules
-
Utah10 minutes agoWhy America’s biggest companies gave up the fight against Utah’s app store law protecting kids
-
Vermont16 minutes ago
VT Lottery Powerball, Gimme 5 results for April 27, 2026
-
Virginia22 minutes agoVirginia Supreme Court considers whether to block voter-approved U.S. House map favoring Democrats
-
Washington28 minutes agoGDC: 12 inmates charged in ‘gang-affiliated disturbance’ at Washington State Prison
-
Wisconsin34 minutes agoWisconsin Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for April 27, 2026
-
West Virginia40 minutes agoWest Virginia trooper cars add QR codes to speed access to addiction treatment
-
Wyoming46 minutes agoIn Gun-Friendly Wyoming, When Is It OK To Shoot Somebody?