BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 21, 2024
Lawrence Higgins and his wife, Penelope Higgins, both 70, received their test results showing extremely high levels of two well-studied PFAS compounds, PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, and PFOS, or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. Their neighborhood and several other areas of Fairfield have some of the highest PFAS levels in the country, according to engineers studying PFAS. Contamination from the so-called forever chemicals, which take a long time to degrade in the environment, is widespread in the state, with other notable levels concentrated in Skowhegan and Unity, putting pressure on Maine lawmakers and regulators to eliminate or contain its effects.