Board of Pesticides Control Update
Stay up to date with the latest from the Board of Pesticides Control. This update covers everything you need to know about upcoming meetings, new rules, and important reminders to keep you and your community safe. We’re here to keep you informed, and we’d like to hear your thoughts—drop us an email anytime at pesticides@maine.gov.
The next Board Meeting is April 10, 2026 it will be hybrid at the Deering Building in Rm 101 in Augusta, ME 04330, and on Microsoft Teams. The meeting starts at 9:00 AM. For more information, visit the Board Meetings Page.
The following program has been approved for pesticide recertification credits. More recertification opportunities may be found on the BPC Credit Calendar.
April 7, 2026 – Identifying and Managing Invasive Plants
The BPC maintains a list of registered products on the front page of its website. For a list of the current Maine registrations.
BPC Augusta Exam Schedule
Due to high demand, BPC is holding two Augusta-based exam periods in the month of April and May, The April 1, 2026, and the April 15, 2026 exam dates are full. May exam dates are May 6 and May 20, with slots filling up fast. Examinees will receive a confirmation email when they sign up with their exam date and time. Sometimes these emails go to spam, so if you do not receive one, please check your junk emails as well. Please make sure you come to the correct exam period so that we can have the proper exams prepared for you. If you have any questions or concerns about the exams, you can contact the BPC front office at 207-287-2731 or pesticides@maine.gov.
Soggy lawns
A reminder that BPC does have several guidance documents for best management practices on the BPC website. As we approach Spring, BPC would like to remind applicators about the “soggy lawns” best management practices for pesticides and fertilizers on turf, developed in 2009 by the Turf Best Management Practices Subcommittee. The full brochure can be found on the BMPs section of our website.
NPIC – National Pesticide Information Center Tools
The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) provides objective, science-based information about pesticides and related topics to help people make informed decisions about their use. NPIC is a cooperative agreement between Oregon State University and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NPIC can be contacted at 800-858-7378 between 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PST, Monday – Friday, or emailed at npic@ace.orst.edu. NPIC is a resource for anyone, including applicators and dealers, for general pesticide-related questions. In addition to a hotline, NPIC also has a comprehensive website with pesticide factsheets, tools, and resources. For specific questions about the use of pesticides in Maine, it would be best to still use BPC as a resource.
NPIC Objectives:
- Serve as a source of factual, unbiased information for diverse audiences, including the agricultural and pest control community, healthcare providers, educators, consumers, and the general public;
- Provide information on a wide variety of pesticide-related subjects, including, but not limited to, pesticide products, toxicology, environmental chemistry, safety practices, pesticide regulation, enforcement, risk assessment, risk management, environmental effects, clean-up and disposal, understanding the label, recognition and management of pesticide poisonings, and integrated pest management (IPM);
- Address current and emerging pesticide-related issues and provide federal, state, and local resources on the topics above in Objective 2;
- Provide reputable, science-based information in a manner understandable to a lay audience to help people make informed decisions;
- Collect and disseminate quality pesticide incident data via a rigorous and well-defined data collection system;
- Provide exceptional customer service by integrating professionalism, teamwork, integrity, accountability, and a strong commitment to the public, as well as to the professional and medical communities.
NPIC Herbicide Tool
As we navigate a wet spring and soggy lawns, BPC would like to make applicators aware of NPIC’s Herbicide Properties Tool – a section of the NPIC website that gives chemical property information, like water solubility, vapor pressure, and half-life, of herbicide active ingredients. When making informed pesticide choices, the HPT can be useful to find the pesticides that have the lowest risk. Anyone interested in the HPT can find it on the NPIC website.
Many herbicidal active ingredients come as two formulations: esters and amines. This month’s Tox Talk focuses on how the important choice of formulation can be influenced by the seasons.
Ester-formulations of herbicides are often considered more effective, because they are capable of penetrating the waxy (hydrophobic) leaf surface more efficiently than amines.* However, esters have a higher vapor pressure compared to amines, which means it has a greater tendency to vaporize; this greatly increases the risk of drift compared to amine-formulations. In contrast, amines are more-water soluble than esters; therefore, amine-formulations don’t have a tendency to bind to the soil, but this presents an increased risk of leaching. The table below summarizes the amine and ester formulations for the herbicide 2,4-D, and illustrates their different risks to the environment. It is noteworthy that the toxicity and half-lives of 2,4-D are the same in the amine and ester formulation.
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2,4-D formulation
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Oil:water Partitioning
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Log Partitioning (oil:water)
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Interpretation
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Environmental
considerations
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amine
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~4:1
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0.65
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water soluble (hydrophilic)
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Prone to leaching
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ester
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35,000:1
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4.4
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Very water insoluble
(hydrophobic)
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Prone to drift;
Sorbs to soil well
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There are many considerations when choosing the appropriate herbicidal formulation. One factor to consider is the seasonal high-water table, which often peaks in the spring. In mid-March, snow-melt from warming temperatures and a heavy rainstorm saturated soils in many parts of Maine. Although a water table might be 3-4 feet below the soil surface in summer, this can be reduced to several inches (or less) in early spring. Therefore, all other factors being equal (e.g. wind speed, temperature, etc), an ester might be more appropriate in the spring when the seasonal water table is closer to the soil surface.
* Esters are non polar compared to polar amines; this means that esters are hydrophobic and will more easily partition to oils and lipids, rather than water. This feature enables ester formulations to bind to soil, which decreases the risk of leaching. However, esters pose a greater risk of drift.
Sources:
PubChem
PubChem RCRA Requirements
This month, the BPC enforcement team would like to remind commercial applicators about the rules regarding pesticide applications at schools in Maine. For full details, please see Ch. 27 Standards for Pesticide Application and Public Notification in Schools. Although there are many requirements that each school’s Integrated Pest Management Coordinator (IPMC) is responsible for, the commercial applicator is also responsible for certain requirements.
- There have been recent instances of commercial applications occurring without approval from the IPMC. Please note that approval from a superintendent does not replace approval from the IPMC.
- If the commercial applicator is providing signage to comply with the posting requirements of Ch. 27, please make sure they follow the specifications outlined in the chapter.
- Please make sure to strictly follow the IPM requirements of the chapter.
- Do not apply glyphosate or dicamba products within 75 feet of school grounds. While not mentioned in Ch. 27, legislation passed in 2021 added this restriction to statute (Title 7§606).
Here is an excerpt from Chapter 27: Standards for Pesticide Application and Public Notification in Schools regarding commercial applications, but please read the entire chapter for full details:
Requirements for Commercial Pesticide Applicators Making Applications in School Buildings or on School Grounds (Ch. 27 Sec. 6)
- Prior to conducting a pesticide application not exempted in Section 3 in a school building or on school grounds, commercial pesticide applicators shall obtain written authorization from the IPM Coordinator. Authorization must be specific to each application and given no more than 10 days prior to the planned application.
- Commercial pesticide applicators shall, within one business day of each pesticide application, provide the IPM Coordinator with a written record of the application including the date, time, location, trade name of the product applied, EPA Registration number and the name of the licensed applicator. If the product has no EPA Registration number then the applicator will provide a copy of the label.
- Commercial pesticide applicators shall inform the IPM Coordinator about any pest monitoring activity and results. If it is acceptable to the IPM Coordinator, this may be achieved by recording them in the Pest Management Activity Log.
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin released a top list of actions the agency has taken in the first year of the Trump Administration to combat risks from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination and Make America Healthy Again. Under President Trump’s leadership, EPA is tackling PFAS contamination through better testing and detection, direct community support, enforcement, clear public education, commonsense regulation, and cutting-edge research so families across the country can have safer drinking water and cleaner environments.
Administrator Zeldin made addressing PFAS a top agency priority on day one and EPA has taken a number of important actions to combat risks from PFAS contamination.
“Keeping Americans safe from the risks of PFAS chemicals has been a top priority of mine dating back to my time in Congress,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “At the Trump EPA, we are focused on real results to protect families, farmers, and small businesses. That means locating PFAS, stopping it from getting into drinking water, cleaning it up where it’s already a problem, and holding polluters accountable. These efforts are just the start of the work we will do on PFAS contamination to ensure ALL Americans have the cleanest air, land, and water.”
The Trump EPA has moved quickly to turn its PFAS commitments into concrete results as part of this Administration’s unwavering commitment to Make America Healthy Again. Since January 2025, some of the many positive Trump EPA highlights of the effort to combat PFAS include:
- Launched the PFAS OUTreach Initiative (PFAS OUT) to connect with every public water system that needs system upgrades to address PFAS, including those finding PFOA and PFOS in their water. PFAS OUT will engage utilities, technical assistance providers and local, state, Tribal, and territorial leaders to develop effective and practical solutions where needed most.
- Released $945 million to reduce exposure to PFAS in drinking water.
- Developed a method to detect 40 PFAS compounds in wastewater, surface water, groundwater, soil, sludge, sediment, landfill liquid, and fish tissue.
- Proposed commonsense changes to PFAS reporting regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to improve implementation and reduce duplicative reporting requirements while maintaining the ability to obtain important use and safety information.
- Advanced the science-based levels for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR), while revising compliance dates to ensure successful implementation.
- Affirmed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) hazardous substance listing for PFOA and PFOS.
- Initiated more frequent updates to the PFAS Destruction and Disposal Guidance—changing from every three years to annually—as EPA continues to assess the effectiveness of available treatment technologies.
- Finalized a consent order requiring removal of PFAS foam and system cleaning at Brunswick Executive Airport in Maine.
- Installed 108 Point of Entry Treatment water systems to address PFAS contamination and sampled over 350 wells and provided bottled water to almost 200 residents near the Route 31 Sludge Superfund removal site in New Jersey.
- Completed four PFAS treatment systems to safeguard drinking water in southern California's Irvine Ranch and Orange County Water Districts to protect over 9,500 households from PFAS.
- Used emergency authorities under the Superfund law to start removal of asbestos-contaminated structures from the ATP site in Paterson, New Jersey, continuing to address PFAS contamination at the Route 31 site in Washington Township, New Jersey.
- Completed joint EPA-U.S. Army sampling of private drinking water wells for PFAS near McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in Oklahoma.
- Completed a second round of PFAS sampling at Region 7 Tribal Drinking Water Systems.
- Provided interim PFAS lab certification for Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC).
- Signed an agreement to connect Joint Base Lewis-McChord residences to municipal water system if PFAS exceeds standards.
- Coordinated PFAS drinking water well sampling around Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
- Utilized EPA lab Method 522 to test tribal drinking water systems for PFAS and performed 62 analyses.
PFAS are man-made chemicals that break down very slowly in the environment. For over 70 years, companies have used these chemicals to make products that are used by many Americans every day that resist heat, oil, water, and stains in everything from non-stick pans to firefighting foam to food packaging. Some PFAS have been linked to health concerns when people are exposed to high levels over long periods of time, which is why reducing risks from PFAS exposure is a key part of the Trump Administration’s effort to Make America Healthy Again.
This comprehensive list represents just the beginning of the Trump Administration's fight against the risks of PFAS contamination. The EPA plans to continue expanding testing programs, advancing new treatment technologies, increasing community outreach, and strengthening enforcement actions to work with local municipalities and the private sector to pursue practical solutions. Under President Trump's leadership, the EPA is taking action to give all Americans access to the cleanest air, land, and water in the world.
EPA’s Comprehensive and Coordinated Efforts to Tackle PFAS
EPA plays a key role in responding to PFAS contamination using its scientific expertise and existing environmental authorities. Working under several federal laws, the agency applies a science-based approach to help protect communities and the environment while supporting economic growth and innovation.
To support these efforts further, EPA is establishing a coordinating group to ensure the continued sharing of research, innovation, and actions to accelerate the cleanup of PFAS contamination and protect human health and the environment. This coordination will be supported by leadership from the Office of the Administrator and the Office of Water and represent senior technical and policy leaders from across EPA program offices and Regions.
Through this coordination and application of gold standard science, EPA will further actions to:
- Regulate new and existing chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), requiring companies to provide safety data and limiting harmful uses.
- Set protective drinking water standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act and monitor water supplies nationwide.
- Clean up contaminated sites under Superfund and other environmental laws when contamination exceeds safe levels.
- Control air and water pollution from industrial sources under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.
- Advance cutting-edge research to understand the thousands of PFAS compounds and develop new treatment technologies.
When contamination is found above protective levels in drinking water, soil, or through chemical reviews, the agency acts quickly using its full range of environmental authorities to protect communities where Americans live, work, and play. EPA prioritizes cooperative federalism and coordinates closely with federal agencies, states, tribes, and local governments to advance a unified and effective response.
Advancing PFAS Testing to Guide Actions
Across this work, EPA relies on gold standard science and strict review so that PFAS testing is accurate and reliable. Methods are carefully developed, checked, and updated so that when lab results show concerning levels of PFAS, the agency can be confident in what the data means before recommending cleanup or other steps to reduce exposure. This scientific foundation helps ensure that any mitigation actions EPA supports are practical, effective, and focused on protecting people’s health and the environment.
EPA uses two basic approaches when testing for PFAS:
- Targeted testing looks for a specific list of known PFAS chemicals using standards to measure their exact amounts.
- Nontargeted testing uses high-tech instruments to look for both known and unknown PFAS, helping scientists discover new PFAS in samples and better understand overall contamination.
EPA uses several laboratory methods to find and measure PFAS in water, soil, and air so communities know what is in their environment. This testing is essential to identifying problems early and targeting cleanup where it is needed most.
Testing Drinking Water
EPA has three main lab methods for PFAS in tap water, all using highly sensitive instruments that can detect very small amounts of PFAS. One method measures 18 types of PFAS, including a GenX-related chemical. A second, older method measures 14 PFAS and is now used mainly for historical reference. A third method measures 25 PFAS using a more advanced setup that improves accuracy.
Testing Surface Water
EPA also has methods to test PFAS in surface waters, wastewater, and solid materials. One method measures 24 PFAS in nondrinking water such as groundwater, rivers, lakes, and wastewater. Another method, developed with the Department of Defense, can measure 40 PFAS in wastewater, surface water, groundwater, soil, sludge, sediment, landfill liquid, and even fish tissue.
Testing PFAS in Air
EPA is developing ways to measure PFAS released into the air from factories and other facilities. One air test method measures 50 PFAS that are attached to particles or are semi-volatile (partly in gas form, partly on particles). Another method measures 30 PFAS that are more volatile (gas-like) using special metal canisters.
Background
Administrator Zeldin has been fighting PFAS contamination since his time in Congress, where he helped found the PFAS Congressional Taskforce and supported legislation to fund community cleanup efforts. As a representative from Long Island, an area heavily affected by PFAS contamination, he has seen firsthand how these chemicals can impact families and communities.
During President Trump’s first term, EPA convened a two-day National Leadership Summit on PFAS in Washington, D.C. that brought together more than 200 federal, state, and local leaders from across the country to discuss steps to address PFAS. Following the Summit, the agency hosted a series of visits during the summer of 2018 in communities directly impacted by PFAS. EPA interacted with more than 1,000 Americans during community engagement events in Exeter, New Hampshire, Horsham, Pennsylvania, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Leavenworth, Kansas, as well as through a roundtable in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and events with tribal representatives in Spokane, Washington.
In 2019, the Trump EPA announced the PFAS Action Plan. This historic plan responded to extensive public interest and input the agency received and represented the first time EPA built a multi-media, multi-program, national communication and research plan to address an emerging environmental challenge like PFAS. EPA’s Action Plan identified both short-term solutions for addressing these chemicals and long-term strategies that will help provide the tools and technologies states, tribes, and local communities need to provide clean and safe drinking water to their residents and to address PFAS at the source—even before it gets into the water.
In the first Trump Administration, EPA also made significant progress regulating PFOA and PFOS in drinking water by issuing final regulatory determinations and issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) addressing PFOA and PFOS in the environment. Find more information about President Trump’s first-term successes on PFAS.
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