The Vermont PFAS/Military Poisons Coalition fights to keep residents safe from “forever chemicals”. The organization, formed in 2019, began campaigning for stricter regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) after discovering they had leached into a Vermont river. So called because they persist in the environment, forever chemicals are used in countless consumer goods and industrial processes despite links to serious health issues, including cancer. “Many resettled refugees fish in the Winooski river, downstream from a military airport,” says core member Marguerite Adelman. “Our water tests found high amounts of PFAS and State fish test also found high amounts of PFAS.. It was a huge concern.” Alongside creating educational materials and organizing rallies, the activists have surveyed political candidates on their views on PFAS, drawing their attention to the issue. By testing waterways, publishing accessible information, and agitating for bans, the group bridges public awareness with impactful legislation.
Vermont PFAS/Military Poisons Coalition members Marguerite Adelman and Robert Ackland collect water samples from the Winooski Rriver for PFAS testing. Photo: Marguerite Adelman
A project of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom US’s Earth Committee, the Vermont coalition includes activists from a range of environmental and peace groups. Poor areas are more vulnerable to PFAS exposure, and the organization employs a shared leadership structure, spearheaded by members on low incomes, women, and people with disabilities, while refugees are also represented among its 20 volunteers. “We’ve got people from all affected communities,” Adelman says. While the coalition initially focused on the military’s role in forever chemical pollution, it has since expanded its remit to encompass myriad sources, from landfills to everyday goods. The group was instrumental in Vermont passing laws in 2021 and 2023 banning PFAS from products including food packaging and menstrual supplies. It is currently pushing to protect residents more comprehensively with further regulation, while arming Vermonters with knowledge about the risks forever chemicals pose.