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Maine

Maine became a leader in chemical safety reform with the 2008 Kid Safe Products Act (KSPA), a first-in-the-nation comprehensive chemical safety law that establishes a science-based process for phasing out the worst chemicals from household products. Under KSPA, Maine identified chemicals with known hazards and potential exposure and phased out BPA from baby bottles, sippy cups, reusable containers, and packaging for infant formula and baby food. 

In the past decade, Maine has continued to be a leader by adopting a first-in-the-nation law to ban all toxic chemical flame retardants in upholstered household furniture. Maine also became the second state to ban toxic PFAS chemicals in food packaging but took it a step further by becoming the first to ban toxic phthalates. In 2021, Maine went above and beyond by adopting a first-in-the-world law to eliminate all non-essential uses of toxic PFAS from all products. 

Behind each new effort is a growing network of Mainers concerned for the future. Farmers, health advocates, and community leaders are currently working diligently on addressing state lawmakers about their concerns of forever chemicals. Much work remains to truly protect Maine residents and its vulnerable groups from harmful toxic chemicals.

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Maine Partners

  • Defend Our Health

    (207) 699-5795 | WEBSITE

  • Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine

    WEBSITE

State Progress

Bill Tracker for Maine

Current Policy

Formaldehyde ,
Toxic Chemicals General,
BPA, Phthalates, and Chemicals Used in Plastic ,
Heavy Metals ,
Chemicals used in Cleaning, Cosmetics and Construction
L.D.1908: Prohibits the sale of personal care products containing a restricted substance, including heavy metals, parabens, ortho-phthalates, PFAS, formaldehyde, triclosan, and more.
Toxic Chemicals General,
Food Packaging ,
Plastics
L.D.1645: Prohibits the sale or distribution of certain plastic packaging, including packaging that is composed of polyvinyl chloride.
PFAS
L.D.1537: Extends the deadline for reporting the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products for sale until October 1, 2023. Provides funding for positions and expenditures related to the implementation of the laws governing products containing PFAS.
PFAS
L.D. 606: Requires the development and implementation of a program to incentivize and assist farmers whose land or crops are affected by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances to remediate the land from contamination, including by growing alternative crops.
PFAS
L.D. 73: Requires persons that extract water in this State to be sold as bottled water to conduct monitoring for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in the bottled water.
PFAS
L.D. 75: Authorizes the adoption of state drinking water rules by the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to require that those rules establish a maximum contaminant level equivalent to zero nanograms per liter for certain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
PFAS
L.D. 132 : Beginning January 1, 2024, requires carriers offering health plans to provide coverage for blood testing for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
PFAS
L.D.1006: Expands well water testing in rural areas. Requires a program to provide free testing for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in household well water of low-income residents through contracts with qualified laboratories.
PFAS
L.D. 188: Require the department of environmental protection to pay for certain water tests for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
PFAS
L.D.1488: Expands testing for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances to private drinking water wells.
PFAS
L.D.1471: Amends the Maine Metallic Mineral Mining Act. Includes a provision prohibiting the Department of Environmental Protection from issuing a mining permit for a mining operation that will involve or result in the release of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances into the air, soil, groundwater or surface water within any mining area or affected area.
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
L.D.1171: Increases the fee imposed on the disposal of municipal solid waste to support the solid waste management hierarchy priorities of reduction of waste generated at the source, reuse of waste, recycling of waste and composting of biodegradable waste.
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
L.D. 1660: Provides that advanced recycling facilities are subject to solid waste regulation and that advanced recycling does not constitute recycling.

Adopted Policy

BPA, Phthalates, and Chemicals Used in Plastic
LD 902: Designates BPA as a priority chemical. (Adopted in 2013)
Chemical Prioritization / Disclosure / Phase-out ,
PFAS ,
Toxic Flame Retardants ,
BPA, Phthalates, and Chemicals Used in Plastic ,
Heavy Metals ,
Chemicals used in Cleaning, Cosmetics and Construction
LD 2048: Identifies chemicals of high concern, and requires reporting on usage and replacement with safer alternatives. (Adopted in 2008)
Chemical Prioritization / Disclosure / Phase-out ,
PFAS ,
Toxic Flame Retardants ,
BPA, Phthalates, and Chemicals Used in Plastic ,
Heavy Metals ,
Chemicals used in Cleaning, Cosmetics and Construction
LD 1129: Selects up to seventy chemicals as Chemicals of High Concern based upon likely exposure to children or fetuses, and uses this list to designate Priority Chemicals which will require reporting and disclosure when used in children’s products. (Adopted in 2011)
BPA, Phthalates, and Chemicals Used in Plastic ,
Food Packaging
Board of Environmental Protection Action: Designates BPA as a priority chemical, requires makers of BPA-containing formula and baby food containers, and children’s toys and products, to report on usage, and plan for its replacement. Bans BPA from resusable food and beverage containers, and formula and baby food packaging. (Adopted in 2013)
BPA, Phthalates, and Chemicals Used in Plastic ,
Food Packaging
LD 412: Bans BPA in baby bottles, sippy cups and reusable food and beverage containers. (Adopted in 2011)
PFAS ,
BPA, Phthalates, and Chemicals Used in Plastic ,
Food Packaging ,
Heavy Metals
LD 1433: Prohibits the sale of food packaging with intentionally added toxic heavy metals, PFAS, or phthalates. (Adopted in 2019)
Chemical Prioritization / Disclosure / Phase-out ,
PFAS
LD 1503/ HP 1113: Requires manufacturers to report products containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Prohibits the sale of products containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Establishes a “currently unavoidable” framework in the long term. (Adopted in 2021)
Chemicals used in Cleaning, Cosmetics and Construction
LD 88: Compiles a list of green cleaning products, and a list of school administrative units that commit to using them. (Adopted in 2007)
Lead ,
Mercury ,
Toxic Flame Retardants ,
Heavy Metals ,
Chemicals used in Cleaning, Cosmetics and Construction
Executive Order 12: Authorizes DEP to submit legislation to phase out mercury batteries, and improve mercury thermostat recovery. Creates a report assessing lead-free alternatives in consumer products, and one on alternatives to the flame retardant DecaBDE. Underscores commitment to environmentally preferable procurement, including lead-free wheel weights and uniforms that don't require cleaning with perchloroethylene. Establishes Governor’s Task Force to Promote Safer Chemicals in Consumer Products. (Adopted in 2006)
Lead ,
Heavy Metals
LD 1034: Establishes a lead poisoning prevention fund to identify lead hazards and take precautionary action, create a media campaign around it, and send educational material to families with kids living in older homes with lead. (Adopted in 2005)
Lead ,
Heavy Metals
LD 2053: Tests children’s products for lead, informs public of results, and requests products be removed from shelves. (Adopted in 2008)
Lead ,
Mercury ,
Heavy Metals
LD 986: Bans lead and mercury wheel weights. (Adopted in 2009)
Mercury ,
Heavy Metals
LD 692: Requires all mercury switches to be removed from motor vehicles that are incapable of being driven. (Adopted in 2005)
Mercury ,
Heavy Metals
Act 125: Requires a review of the sale of batteries containing mercury: the amount of mercury in foreign-made batteries, whether stacked button cell batteries meet the mercury content specifications, whether and how button cell batteries should be collected for recycling and labeled, should button cell batteries be prohibited in some applications, and whether non-mercury alternatives are available. (Adopted in 2003)
Mercury ,
Heavy Metals
LD 973: Requires the Department of Environmental Protection to establish standards for mercury-added lamps, requires the Department of Administrative and Financial Services to favor lower mercury content lamps in purchasing, and requires manufacturers of mercury-added lamps to implement a recycling program. (Adopted in 2009)
Mercury
L.D.1814: Prohibits the sale or distribution of certain mercury-added lamps. (Adopted in 2023)
PFAS
L.D. 217: Extends the deadline for manufacturers to notify Maine DEP of their products for sale in the state that contain intentionally added PFAS from January 1, 2023 to January 1, 2025. (Adopted in 2023)
PFAS
L.D. 1591: Promotes economic reuse of PFAS-contaminated farmland through the Clean Energy Department.  (Adopted in 2023)
PFAS
LD 129/ SP 64: Requires PFAS monitoring in drinking water and establishes maximum contaminant levels for perfluoralkyl and polyfluoralkyl substances. (Adopted in 2021)
PFAS
LD 264: An act to prohibit aerial application of pesticides containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.  (Adopted in 2021)
PFAS
LD 363/ HP 261: This bill provides that an action arising out of any harm or injury caused by a perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance must be commenced within 6 years after the plaintiff discovers or should have discovered such harm or injury. (Adopted in 2021)
PFAS
LD 2019: Requires the registration of adjuvants in the State and regulates the distribution of pesticides with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. (Adopted in 2022)
PFAS
LD 558: Directs the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry to study alternative cropping systems for farmers affected by PFAS contamination. (Adopted in 2021)
PFAS
LD 1505 / HP 1115: An act to restrict the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in firefighting foam. (Adopted in 2021)
PFAS
LD 1600 / HP 1189: An act to investigate perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination of land and groundwater. (Adopted in 2021)
PFAS
LD 780 / HP 585: An act giving the Maine Department of Environmental Protection authority to order the cleanup of PFAS contaminated sites or seek compensation from responsible parties to pay for that clean up. (Adopted in 2021)
PFAS
LD 221/ HP 156: Appropriations bill. includes $10 million in funding to abate, clean up and mitigate threats or hazards posed by PFAS; $188,000 to fund a program to work directly with affected farmers on PFAS mitigation efforts; $3 million to establish and fund 17 positions to assist in the identification and management of PFAS; and $16.5 million to for PFAS testing, management, and treatment of drinking water. (Adopted in 2021)
PFAS
LD 1733: Provides funding to expand efforts to address imminent risk to public health through investment in public water system improvements, including mitigation of lead in drinking water at schools and daycares and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, effects. (Adopted in 2021)
PFAS
L.D. 206: Appropriations bill. Provides one-time funding to replace firefighting gear that is known to have perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. (Adopted in 2023)
PFAS
LD 1875: Requires state department to study methods of treating leachate from state-owned landfills to reduce the concentration of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the leachate. (Adopted in 2022)
PFAS
LD 1911: Prohibits the spreading of PFAS-laden sludge and sludge-derived compost as fertilizer.  (Adopted in 2022)
PFAS
L.D.1248: Requires bottlers to conduct testing for PFAS. Prohibits the sale of bottled water that contains a regulated PFAS contaminant in an amount that exceeds the standard applicable to a community water system. (Adopted in 2023)
Toxic Chemicals General
LD 1423: Sets goals to reduce toxic chemical use and generation. (Adopted in 2010)
Toxic Flame Retardants
LD 182 : Bans the sale of residential upholstered furniture containing chemical flame retardants. (Adopted in 2017)
Toxic Flame Retardants
LD 1662/ HP 1233:
An act to update Maine's sales prohibition on upholstered furniture treated with flame-retardant chemicals to include electronic components and retailer indemnification. 
 
 (Adopted in 2021)
Toxic Flame Retardants
LD 1568: Prohibits the manufacture and sale of shipping pallets, or any product made from them, containing decaBDE. (Adopted in 2010)
Toxic Flame Retardants
LD 1790: Bans products containing added brominated flame retardants. (Adopted in 2004)
Toxic Flame Retardants
LD 1658: Clarifies earlier PBDE phase-out. (Adopted in 2007)

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