PFAS

A photo of produce in containers

UMaine research highlights how PFAS uptake differs among crops

One way people ingest a group of toxic chemicals known as PFAS is through consuming produce, dairy and meat products that have been exposed to contaminated soil and irrigation water. Some guidance is available on how growers can try to mitigate the uptake of PFAS, but it’s limited due in part to a lack of […]

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News Center highlights UMaine’s rapid testing PFAS sensor research

News Center Maine highlighted research from Sharmila Mukhopadhyay, professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Maine, to develop an easy-to-use and low cost sensor that can detect a group of chemicals known as PFAS. “We have taken nano materials which have been attached to these large aerospace grade materials to create robust and reusable […]

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Northern Light taps UMaine researcher for latest podcast on PFAS

Farms in Maine have been identified as critical places to study the health effects of a group of chemicals known as PFAS. Ellen Mallory, one of many University of Maine faculty members working together on a variety of PFAS research projects, sat down with Tim Doak, chief environmental sustainability officer at Northern Light Health (NLH), […]

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PFAS research at UMaine receives $2.25M from the state

Researchers at the University of Maine have been awarded a total of $2.25 million in funding from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) to study a group of chemicals known as PFAS in order to help commercial farmers manage its presence.  The UMaine awards, which are directed to faculty members associated with […]

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Media highlight state grants for UMaine PFAS research

Environmental Health News and WGME (Channel 13 in Portland) highlighted the $2.25 million in funding awarded to researchers at the University of Maine from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to study a group of chemicals known as PFAS. Five of seven awarded projects included research proposals from UMaine faculty.

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Media interview Kopec on PFAS

The Bangor Daily News and WFVX (Channel 7) interviewed Dianne Kopec, a University of Maine research associate, on how a group of chemicals known as PFAS are flowing into Maine rivers. “I think it further confirms that PFAS knows no boundaries,” Kopec said. “It will not stay in one place. Water always runs downstream, so […]

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PFAS-free Firefighting Biogel featured in Press Herald

The Portland Press Herald featured University of Maine researchers who are developing Firefighting Biogel, an alternative to traditional firefighting foam that’s free from a group of chemicals known as PFAS. The gel is expected to be both safer for the environment and for those fighting fires. James Anderson, an engineer at UMaine’s Advanced Structures and […]

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BDN highlights UMaine research in 2024 overview of PFAS mitigation efforts

The Bangor Daily News highlighted research from the University of Maine in 2024 that aided statewide efforts to research, inform and protect communities from a group of chemicals known as PFAS. UMaine efforts include research to develop coatings free of PFAS for food wrappers and other paper products by using seaweed and tree pulp; and […]

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