[CPEO-MEF] PFAS: Aroostook County and former Loring Air Force Base (ME)

[Lenny Siegel <LSiegel@cpeo.org>]

Aroostook researchers focus on how PFAS might affect farmland

by Melissa Lizotte
Bangor Daily News (ME)
December 16, 2024

Researchers in Aroostook County say early studies have revealed unsafe levels of forever chemicals, commonly known as PFAS, in waterways used for irrigating crops.

So far, the presence of the chemicals has not disrupted or shut down crop production in Maine’s northernmost county, known for its abundant and economically vital potato farming.

More research is planned in 2025 and beyond in an effort to learn about the extent of the contamination and whether it has seeped into produce. Those findings could have a significant impact on farmers in the county and beyond.


…

Martin chose those waterways because several flow in and out of the former Loring base and are connected to major sources of crop irrigation for farmers.

Greenlaw Brook begins at Loring and flows into Madawaska Stream. Greenlaw Brook is one of many waterways known to have PFAS chemicals from firefighting foam sprayed during the base’s military era, according to the latest findings from an Air Force investigation.

…

For the entire article, see
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/12/16/aroostook/aroostook-environment/aroostook-farmland-pfas-research-joam40zk0w/

—

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director
Center for Public Environmental Oversight
A project of the Pacific Studies Center
LSiegel@cpeo.org
P.O. Box 998, Mountain View, CA 94042
Voice/Fax: 650-961-8918
http://www.cpeo.org
Author: DISTURBING THE WAR: The Inside Story of the Movement to Get Stanford University out of Southeast Asia - 1965–1975 (See http://a3mreunion.org)

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