Episode 27

Don Kimball was a non-commissioned officer, stationed on Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire from 1977-1981, at a time when they were frequently using a firefighting foam (AFFF),  which we now know to be full of PFAS.  

Today, Don is the producer and host of a radio program called Friendly Fire: A Voice For Veterans where he frequently tackles thorny issues like chemical exposures and toxic PFAS testing for veterans.  

Don participated in the recent PFAS study conducted with former Pease AFB members. The PFAS Exchange can help participants to make sense of their results. A map of  PFAS Contamination of water and military sites in the US demonstrates how far reaching this issue is, particularly on military bases. 
Don recommends people interested in the subject explore two websites: Civilian Exposure and Military Poisons. ​

A member of the Maine Veterans for Peace, Don views social and environmental justice issues in a global context.  Did you know that the number one entity for consuming fossil fuels, thus contributing to global climate change on the planet, is the US Department of Defense?  Don invites interested parties to join an upcoming climate change action in Boston on Nov 16th at 11 AM  to protest Chase Bank's investment in fossil fuels, in solidarity with the COP 27 conference in Egypt. 

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Episode 7

Mark is the retired Bureau Director for Maine Department of Environmental Protection.  He worked to clean up  Superfund 
sites in Maine.  He speaks of many acronyms, CERCLA and the devoted and brilliant people he had the pleasure to work with through the EPA.  Since 1980, our government has been working to clean up toxic chemicals from air, water and soil in many different settings. 

Mark wants people to realize that they have the right to know if they are living near toxic chemicals so they can prepare and plan, as needed.   The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) is a great resource.

Mark thinks Mama Earth would want us all to pay closer attention to what we are buying (such as PFAS products) and using, (including our water).  He recommends comprehensively testing residential well water every two years.  For information on financial assistance to test well water in Maine, click here. 

Play audio, below: