University of Maine PFAS+ Initiative

The University of Maine PFAS+ is a multi-disciplinary initiative that focuses on the PFAS pollution crisis and its cascading environmental and societal impacts. The plus sign indicates the breadth of the impacts that PFAS has on society, other environmental pollutants, as well as the transformative and novel approach that UMaine realizes.

From the EPA: What is PFAS?

image of child using water to wash hands
Current scientific research suggests that exposure to high levels of certain PFAS may lead to adverse health outcomes. However, research is still ongoing to determine how different levels of exposure to different PFAS can lead to a variety of health effects.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manufactured chemicals used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s because of their useful properties. There are thousands of different PFAS, some of which have been more widely used and studied than others.

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), for example, are two of the most widely used and studied chemicals in the PFAS group. PFOA and PFOS have been replaced in the United States with other PFAS in recent years.

One common characteristic of concern of PFAS is that many break down very slowly and can build up in people, animals, and the environment over time.

Visit the U.S. Evironmental Protection Agency website for more information, and for details regarding EPA Actions to Adress PFAS.