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Protect Our Drinking Water From Deadly Chemical Spills

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Toxic chemicals are threatening Maine’s water and health—your voice can make a difference. Call for stricter regulations and ensure a safe, clean future for all.

Toxic chemicals are threatening Maine’s water and health—your voice can make a difference. Call for stricter regulations and ensure a safe, clean future for all.

A toxic spill of firefighting foam at Brunswick Executive Airport in Maine has unleashed dangerous chemicals into our environment, putting our health and safety at risk. On August 19, 2024, an accidental discharge of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) occurred, contaminating the former Naval Air Station, now a residential and business area known as Brunswick Landing1.

The Threat of PFAS: "Forever Chemicals"

PFAS, often called "forever chemicals," do not break down easily in the environment. Even trace amounts can lead to serious health problems, including cancer, immune system damage, and developmental issues2. The Brunswick spill involved 1,450 gallons of foam concentrate mixed with 50,000 gallons of water, making it the largest PFAS spill in Maine in over 30 years3.

Dangerous Levels of Contamination Detected

Initial testing revealed alarmingly high levels of PFAS in nearby water bodies, with concentrations far exceeding federal safety standards3. In some cases, PFOS levels were found to be over 1 million parts per trillion (ppt) in drainage ponds, a stark contrast to the federal drinking water standard of 4 ppt3. This contamination threatens our drinking water, wildlife, and community well-being.

Despite the severity of the situation, the response from authorities has been inadequate. The Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) quickly issued advisories against consuming freshwater fish from affected areas4, but many residents remain deeply concerned about the safety of their water supplies. The state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has downplayed the immediate threat to public water, claiming that the local water district remains unaffected4.

Concerns Over Water Safety

However, many residents rely on well water, which could be at serious risk. Sarah Woodbury from Defend Our Health, a local advocacy group, emphasized the need for comprehensive testing of residential wells to ensure the safety of all families in the area5.

Cleanup efforts are currently underway at Brunswick Landing, with waste management crews working to remove the contaminated foam6. But the method of disposal remains a subject of debate. State officials are considering incinerating the contaminated material in Texas, a process that raises further environmental concerns6.

A Nationwide Issue

This disaster is not just a local issue; it underscores the broader risks associated with PFAS chemicals across the nation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified firefighting foam as a major source of PFAS contamination, with similar spills occurring nationwide2. These chemicals are used extensively at military bases and airports, putting many communities at risk.

Protect Our Future

Jared Hayes, a senior policy analyst with the Environmental Working Group, warned that the Brunswick spill could result in long-term contamination that is difficult and costly to clean up3. This incident demands immediate and decisive action from our leaders to protect our health and environment.

We cannot afford to wait. The stakes are too high. Our health, our water, and our future depend on swift and comprehensive action to address this crisis.

We urge you to join us in demanding stronger federal regulations on PFAS and thorough federal oversight of the cleanup efforts. By signing this petition, you can help ensure that our community is protected and that no other town has to face the devastating consequences of a PFAS spill.

Take action now. Sign the petition to protect our health, our environment, and our future.

More on this issue:

  1. Julia Conley, Common Dreams (27 August 2024), "Local Fears Grow After Major PFAS Spill at Former Navy Base in Maine."
  2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (11 July 2024), "Risk Management and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)."
  3. Penelope Overton, Portland Press Herald (25 August 2024), "Brunswick Landing is Maine’s Biggest Firefighting Foam Spill in 30 Years."
  4. Associated Press (26 August 2024), "Maine CDC Urges People Not to Eat Fish Near Brunswick Spill Over PFAS Concerns."
  5. Nick Song, Maine Public (27 August 2024), "Pond Water Tests Positive for PFAS Contamination After Hazardous Firefighting Foam Spill."
  6. Alex Haskell, News Center Maine (27 August 2024), "State Gets Initial Test Results After Spill of Toxic Firefighting Foam in Brunswick."
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The Petition:

To the Governor of Maine, Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),

We, the undersigned, urgently call upon the Governor of Maine, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take immediate and decisive action in response to the recent toxic spill at Brunswick Executive Airport. This incident, involving the release of approximately 1,450 gallons of firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), has unleashed significant environmental and public health risks, affecting our water sources, wildlife, and communities.

PFAS, often referred to as "forever chemicals," are known for their persistence in the environment and their potential to cause severe health issues, including cancer, immune system damage, and developmental problems. The levels of PFOS detected in local water bodies following the spill far exceed federal safety standards, posing an immediate and long-term threat to public health.

We therefore urge the following actions:

  1. Stricter Federal Regulations on PFAS: We call on the EPA to strengthen regulations on PFAS to ensure that no community is left vulnerable to these dangerous chemicals. This includes setting stricter limits on PFAS in drinking water, mandating the safe storage and disposal of PFAS-containing materials, and banning the use of PFAS in firefighting foams.
  2. Comprehensive Federal Oversight of Cleanup Efforts: We demand that the EPA, in coordination with the Maine DEP, take the lead in overseeing the cleanup of the Brunswick spill. This oversight must include regular testing of water sources, soil, and air quality, as well as transparent reporting to the public. The cleanup process must be thorough and conducted with the highest standards of environmental safety.
  3. Immediate Action to Protect Public Health: We call on the Governor of Maine and the Maine DEP to ensure that all residents in the affected areas have access to safe drinking water. This includes offering free testing of private wells and providing clean water to those whose wells are found to be contaminated. Public health advisories must be clear, consistent, and communicated widely.

The actions we are calling for are not just necessary—they are urgent. Without swift and comprehensive intervention, the consequences of this spill could be felt for generations. By taking these steps, we can protect the health of our residents, preserve our environment, and prevent future disasters.

These actions will ensure a safer, healthier future for all Maine residents and will set a precedent for how environmental and public health crises should be handled nationwide. Let us act now to safeguard our communities and our environment from the dangers of PFAS contamination.

Sincerely,

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Signatures: