Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
MIDDLEBOROUGH, MA. – The Middleborough Select Board has approved a resolution requiring the city to avoid, when possible, the purchase or use of products containing fluorinated chemicals including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds, called PFAS or “forever chemicals.” This marks the third municipal resolution against purchasing products with PFAS in Massachusetts, following Newton and Brookline. The resolution was championed by Sustainable Middleborough and Citizens for a Healthy Middleborough, with support from Sierra Club Massachusetts.
Often used in consumer products, especially plastics, PFAS are a class of synthetic chemicals known to have many serious health impacts. Some of the health impacts associated with PFAS exposure include: various cancers, damage to the immune systems, liver, thyroid, or pancreatic function, and complications at birth and impairments in children.
“Forever” PFAS chemicals do not fully break down in the environment. Instead, PFAS contaminates the air, waterways, and even food. Massachusetts is heavily contaminated with PFAS pollution. At least 171 public water systems in 96 cities and towns, and many private wells, have exceeded the state’s legal limit (Maximum Contaminant Level) for PFAS.
The passed resolution instructs the town of Middleborough to purchase certified fluorinated chemical free products in all possible instances and encourage its suppliers to develop organofluorine- and PFAS-free products that do not have ready substitutes. The Massachusetts Operational Services Division has an Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) Procurement Program which does not yet specifically include PFAS but they have already created a PFAS-Free Buying Guide to support state agencies in making informed purchasing decisions. These guidelines, however, are not mandatory.
“People here, like everywhere, care very much about protecting their families from toxic ‘forever chemicals’ like PFAS,” said Kimberly French, Board President of Sustainable Middleborough. “We’re so proud that our town is one of the leaders in adopting this resolution. Working on local and state policy, alongside educating ourselves and resolving not to bring products with PFAS into our homes and into our town, are big steps toward keeping these chemicals out of our landfill, soil, and groundwater.”
“With our Federal government planning deregulation of toxic chemicals, the bold action taken in Middleborough is exactly the kind of leadership we need to protect our communities and neighbors.” said Alan Gordon, Massachusetts Chapter Executive Committee Chair. “We urge other municipalities across Massachusetts, and the Healey Administration, to take action to reduce PFAS exposure and pollution at the source. The risks of continued PFAS use are clear especially for children and pregnant women. It’s time we stop purchasing PFAS products when safer alternatives are available and turn off the tap on toxic chemicals in Massachusetts.”
"Already, drinking water has been contaminated by PFAS in almost 100 cities and towns across the Commonwealth," said Deirdre Cummings, MASSPIRG's Legislative Director. "To protect our health and drinking water we must get to the source of the problem and stop using PFAS in so many products. By restricting the products that Middleborough purchases to those without PFAS, Middleborough has taken an important step toward that end while protecting the health of those in Middleborough and across the state."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.