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Maine bladder-cancer death rate sparks study. Arsenic in drinking water one possible cause. Kennebec Journal, 28 Dec 01. More >>

Business buoyed by new Maine recycling law. Computer monitors are full of toxic lead and must be recycled. Associated Press, 19 Nov 01. More >>

Lead paint removal delicate operation. Lead paint is still used on highway bridges. Kennebec Journal, 5 Nov 01. More >>

Tribe considers environmental issues in Maine. Passamaquoddy tribal members organized the first Sipayik Environmental Awareness Conference to look at threats to the tribal environment, both natural and in the home, including harmful mercury levels in fish, a traditional food source. Bangor Daily News, 5 Oct 01. More >>

Pentagon says no to Maine mercury. The Defense Department refused to add 80 tons of leftover mercury from HoltraChem to the federal mercury stockpile for safe storage. Portland Press Herald, 7 Sep 01. More >>

Region's leaders agree to clean air. Political leaders from New England and eastern Canada approved resolutions aimed at curbing emissions of mercury by 75 percent by 2010 and scaling greenhouse gases back to 1990 levels by 2010. Associated Press, 28 Aug 01. More >>

Maine hospitals pledge to eliminate mercury. Maine's 39 hospitals have signed a pledge to virtually eliminate the mercury found in their medical equipment and laboratories by 2005, making the state a national leader in efforts to curb medical releases of the toxic metal. Portland Press Herald, 26 Aug 01. More >>

Lead screening sought for all Maine children. Only one out of nine Maine children are screened for lead poisoning; a new law passed in 2002 expands testing. Portland Press Herald, 21 Aug 01. More >>

Recycling effort targets computers, TVs. Electronic gear is full of lead and other toxic materials. Kennebec Journal, 16 Aug 01. More >>

Testing for Maine children's lead levels called lax. Maine children at highest risk of lead poisoning are not tested for it despite a mandate from the government. Associated Press, 16 July 01. More >>

Mercury thermometer use criticized by group. The American Academy of Pediatrics says doctors and parents should stop using mercury thermometers. Bangor Daily News, 3 July 01. More >>

Maine leads on mercury effort. New England is doing a poor job of eliminating mercury from the environment (with a grade of C-), according to a coalition of environmental groups, but Maine is leading the region (with a grade of B). Portland Press Herald, 29 Jun 01. More >>

Maine testing wells for arsenic. According to the Maine Bureau of Health, 10% to 30% of all private wells in the state have unhealthful levels of arsenic, which can cause gastrointestinal problems, bladder and lung cancer, and other illnesses. Portland Press Herald, 26 Apr 01. More >>

Bills seek to lower dioxin and mercury released in Maine. A proposal to regulate PVC plastic, which forms dioxin when burned or incinerated as waste, resulted in a new law that bans the open burning of household trash. Portland Press Herald, 27 Mar 01. More >>

Arsenic in Maine drinking water. About 10% of public water supplies and up to 30% of private wells exceed health standard for cancer-causing arsenic. Bangor Daily News, 23 Mar 01. More >>

The chemical papers: secrets of the chemical industry exposed. Bill Moyers' special reveals how people were kept in the dark about the dangers of toxic chemicals. Alternet, 23 Mar 01. More >>

Maine hospitals pledge to reduce use of vinyl, mercury. The Maine Hospital Association signed a first-in-the nation pledge to reduce the use of vinyl (PVC) medical supplies that form dioxin pollution when they are burned as waste. Portland Press Herald, 6 Mar 01. More >>

Mercury study finds more at risk in U.S. A first-ever study shows that 10 percent of U.S. women of child-bearing age have levels of mercury that double their risk of having babies born with mental or neurological problems, federal officials say. Portland Press Herald, 3 Mar 01. More >>

Maine lags in testing for lead poisoning. A new analysis of childhood lead poisoning in Maine shows that blood-lead levels in Maine kids are more than twice the national average and that doctors are doing a poor job of screening even high-risk youngsters. Portland Press Herald, 25 Feb 01. More >>

Tribe's roots in water. The Penobscot Nation works to end Maine river pollution. Lewiston Sun Journal, 13 Feb 01. More >>

Maine lax on lead. Lead poisoning is likely to grow as our housing stock ages. Maine Times, 1 Feb 01. More >>

Maine mercury no longer bound for India. The founders of the Environmental Health Strategy Center were part of the team at Natural Resources Council of Maine that was instrumental in halting the export of mercury from the defunct HoltraChem chlor-alkali plant in Orrington, Maine. Associated Press, 27 Jan 01. More >>

India says no to HoltraChem mercury. The government of India refused shipment of mercury from the closed HoltraChem Manufacturing Co. plant in Orrington. Bangor Daily News, 6 Jan 01. More >>

U.S., Indian Groups Protest Export of Mercury Waste to India. International uproar was created by the attempted export of HoltraChem's leftover mercury. Asia Pulse, 5 Jan 01; InterPress Service, 4 Jan 01; Times of India, 2 Jan 01. More >>

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