PFAS chemicalsWBUR's ongoing coverage of so-called "forever chemicals" known as PFAS.Massachusetts moves to phase out PFAS from firefighter gearGov. 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.Local CoverageAug 16, 2024EPA will force polluters to pay for PFAS cleanupThe 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...EnvironmentApr 19, 2024New federal PFAS rules to protect health will cost Mass. communities millionsAbout 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...EnvironmentApr 19, 2024Personal injury firms look for people exposed to PFAS from Joint Base Cape CodAttorneys 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...Local CoverageFeb 20, 2024Maine nonprofit buys PFAS-contaminated farm to help 'forever chemicals' researchA 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...EnvironmentOct 11, 2023AdvertisementSaint-Gobain announces closure of Merrimack facility at the center of PFAS controversyThe 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.HealthAug 23, 2023Maine environmental regulators move to ban PFAS in food packagingMaine 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...EnvironmentAug 14, 2023Mass. 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.ResumeHere & Now05:03Jun 16, 2023Drinking water in eastern area of Mass. passed state and federal PFAS standardsMassachusetts 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.EnvironmentJun 14, 2023Who will pay to clean dangerous PFAS chemicals out of our water supplies?One settlement and one pending case might provide some clues.ResumeHere & Now06:41Jun 7, 2023Study: Toxic contamination at Joint Base Cape Cod could persist for centuriesToxic 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...EnvironmentMay 15, 2023Mass. 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...ResumeHealth05:34Apr 18, 2023Our sewage often becomes fertilizer. Problem is, it's tainted with PFASAbout 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...ResumeEnvironment06:13Mar 30, 2023Firefighter union sues Mass. group over toxic chemicals in protective gearThe 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...HealthMar 16, 2023EPA proposes regulations on 6 toxic 'forever chemicals' in drinking waterThe 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...EnvironmentMar 14, 2023In 13 state parks, Mass. officials issue advisories for fish consumption due to PFASThe 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...HealthMar 7, 2023Tracing the path of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ inside the bodyPFAS 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...ResumeHealth05:41Feb 16, 2023Private 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...ResumeEnvironment05:21Feb 15, 2023Toxic '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...ResumeEnvironment04:52Feb 14, 2023PFAS expert tips: How to reduce your exposure to harmful ‘forever chemicals’PFAS chemicals are in our water, in our food, in our air and on our skin. And they are linked to a long and growing list of medical concerns. WBUR...ResumeHealth05:06Feb 13, 2023Next Page
Massachusetts moves to phase out PFAS from firefighter gearGov. 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.Local CoverageAug 16, 2024
EPA will force polluters to pay for PFAS cleanupThe 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...EnvironmentApr 19, 2024
New federal PFAS rules to protect health will cost Mass. communities millionsAbout 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...EnvironmentApr 19, 2024
Personal injury firms look for people exposed to PFAS from Joint Base Cape CodAttorneys 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...Local CoverageFeb 20, 2024
Maine nonprofit buys PFAS-contaminated farm to help 'forever chemicals' researchA 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...EnvironmentOct 11, 2023
Saint-Gobain announces closure of Merrimack facility at the center of PFAS controversyThe 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.HealthAug 23, 2023
Maine environmental regulators move to ban PFAS in food packagingMaine 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...EnvironmentAug 14, 2023
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.ResumeHere & Now05:03Jun 16, 2023
Drinking water in eastern area of Mass. passed state and federal PFAS standardsMassachusetts 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.EnvironmentJun 14, 2023
Who will pay to clean dangerous PFAS chemicals out of our water supplies?One settlement and one pending case might provide some clues.ResumeHere & Now06:41Jun 7, 2023
Study: Toxic contamination at Joint Base Cape Cod could persist for centuriesToxic 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...EnvironmentMay 15, 2023
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...ResumeHealth05:34Apr 18, 2023
Our sewage often becomes fertilizer. Problem is, it's tainted with PFASAbout 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...ResumeEnvironment06:13Mar 30, 2023
Firefighter union sues Mass. group over toxic chemicals in protective gearThe 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...HealthMar 16, 2023
EPA proposes regulations on 6 toxic 'forever chemicals' in drinking waterThe 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...EnvironmentMar 14, 2023
In 13 state parks, Mass. officials issue advisories for fish consumption due to PFASThe 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...HealthMar 7, 2023
Tracing the path of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ inside the bodyPFAS 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...ResumeHealth05:41Feb 16, 2023
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...ResumeEnvironment05:21Feb 15, 2023
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...ResumeEnvironment04:52Feb 14, 2023
PFAS expert tips: How to reduce your exposure to harmful ‘forever chemicals’PFAS chemicals are in our water, in our food, in our air and on our skin. And they are linked to a long and growing list of medical concerns. WBUR...ResumeHealth05:06Feb 13, 2023
