Story perspectives

Brownie Stunt Sparks PFAS Turf Review, $26M Project Halted

6/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Meghan Perry gave brownies she claimed contained laxatives to dramatize PFAS risks in turf project.
The district filed a report on June 5, 2026 after rejecting the brownies.
Chair Laura Gallagher Byrne said the stunt breached engagement and ordered a review of comment procedures.
Opponents warn the $26 million turf could leach PFAS and microplastics into soil and water.
District is negotiating testing with the Nantucket Land and Water Council before installation.

History

Historical Context

In 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued its first health advisory for PFAS chemicals, flagging PFOA and PFOS as hazardous. The EPA allocated $30 million for nationwide PFAS testing, while DuPont settled for $3.5 billion over contaminated water, a move praised by the Environmental Working Group. Similarly, today Nantucket officials confront a $26 million turf project accused of leaching PFAS, prompting activist Meghan Perry’s protest publicly in media. The precedent of federal scrutiny suggests the district’s testing review could trigger broader regulatory action and costly remediation across New England.

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Story summary

Meghan Perry gave brownies she claimed contained laxatives to dramatize PFAS risks in turf project.
The district filed a report on June 5, 2026 after rejecting the brownies.
Chair Laura Gallagher Byrne said the stunt breached engagement and ordered a review of comment procedures.
Opponents warn the $26 million turf could leach PFAS and microplastics into soil and water.
District is negotiating testing with the Nantucket Land and Water Council before installation.

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