Mission

Defend Our Health is the Maine-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit with national impact working to reduce exposures to toxic chemicals like PFAS forever chemicals, pesticides, microplastics, and other petrochem-based poisons. For over 20 years, Defend has put the best health-protective science into practice, making sure all communities have toxic-free food, water, and clothing, cosmetics, couches, cookware, and more. We advocate for solutions that are accessible to all, regardless of where you live, the color of your skin, or how much money you have. Even if you haven't heard of us, you've heard about our cutting edge sustainability and environmental justice work -- we're the organization that passed Maine's first-in-the-nation phaseout of PFAS in consumer goods and food packaging, pushing big name international companies to kick toxic PFAS out of the products they sell. We're laser-focused on advancing government policies and corporate practices that help our economy move towards more sustainable solutions and connect community members with products that are non-toxic, safe, and effective! Our work in Maine and with advocates across the country is the path forward to protecting families' health, especially at this moment. Together, we can set strong rules to clean up our communities, stop polluters in their tracks, and drive economic progress through innovation and safer solutions.