These were chemicals that were first produced in the 1950s that repelled oil, grease, water, and heat. They were everywhere – in commonly used products – like fire fighting foam, non-stick surfaces, soil-resistant fabrics, paper plates, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and water-resistant clothing to name a few.
Federal agencies are still assessing the impact of PFAS chemicals on health, as they can exist in soil and water long after the products have been disposed. Municipalities, under the guidance and license of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, marketed sludge between 1950-1980 as a safe soil amendment to some farm fields. Decades later, a few farms have found that – through no fault of their own – their soils or water have tested for elevated levels of PFAS.