Maine Wants Ability To Order Cleanup Of Persistent Chemicals

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine officials are seeking the authority to order companies to clean contamination that arises from chemicals that persist in the environment.The Portland Press Herald reports the Maine Department of Environmental Protection is working on a proposal for the upcoming legislative session about the issue. State authorities say the pending change would make it easier for Maine to remediate contamination caused by PFAS chemicals.
 
The department can order cleanup of sites contaminated with potential hazards such as lead and mercury, but it doesn't have the ability to do that with PFAS because PFAS chemicals aren't on the federal government's list of potentially hazardous chemicals.
 
PFAS chemicals are linked to cancer and other health problems.