PFAS in Drinking Water

We have a separate website, PFAS in Maine, to share PFAS research underway at MDI Biological Laboratory and across Maine. It features news, research, publications, and an information center, all Maine-focused, along with curriculum resources for teachers and educational materials for physicians.

What are PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, known as forever chemicals, are synthetic compounds that do not occur naturally in the environment and are linked to negative effects on human health.

PFAS Research at MDI Biological Laboratory

Private Wells

Because drinking water is a primary route of PFAS exposure for humans, testing well water samples for PFAS can help us better understand the potential health risks faced by Maine households.

One focus area of our research has been the town of Tremont. As of summer 2026, we have tested 105 wells. Of these, 69% have detectable PFAS, with 17% exceeding the current public drinking water standard of 20 ng/L.

If you are a Tremont resident and want to have your well tested for PFAS, use the link below, and we will provide a test kit that Maine Laboratories will analyze at no cost to you.

Rural Schools

Schools can be a source of PFAS contamination in rural communities. In 2023, we began testing tap water samples from households near MDI High School, which was discovered in 2022 to have 85 ng/L PFAS in its drinking water. We found elevated PFAS in most of these homes, with PFAS chemical profiles that closely matched those detected at the school. These results led us to explore other rural Maine schools as a potential source of PFAS contamination.