05.26.23
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed into law the first-ever ban in the U.S. on PFAS “forever chemicals” in cookware, dental floss, and menstrual products as part of the broadest PFAS policy package in the country. The new law bans all uses of PFAS in products by 2032—except those that are necessary for public health, requires manufacturers to report their use of PFAS in products to the state by 2026 and bans specific uses in several products starting in 2025.
Building from existing state laws, Minnesota’s new law combines approaches from laws in Colorado, California, and Washington—which banned PFAS in specific products—as well as with the approach from a Maine law that requires disclosure of PFAS in all products and sets a timeline for eliminating PFAS from all products unless the use of PFAS is deemed currently unavoidable. This bill eliminates PFAS from 13 product categories—the most of any PFAS product-specific bill in the country. In addition to menstrual products, cleaning ingredients, cookware, and dental floss, the policy bans PFAS in firefighting foam, food packaging, cosmetics, textiles, carpets, fabric treatments, upholstered furniture, children’s products, and ski wax.
Leaders from Minnesota including health advocates, legislators, and families impacted by PFAS exposure as well as states across the country applaud this move and anticipate more government and corporate policies to follow. Clean Water Action and Safer States released the following statements in response to this news.
“This legislation is good for workers, children, families, and business. By phasing out PFAS chemicals, we are able to stay competitive in a global market, as other countries are taking steps to ban PFAS as well. We are able to protect workers who are exposed to PFAS on the job. We are able to decrease exposure for children to PFAS, which is linked to lower IQ and learning disabilities. And we are protecting families from costly health care related costs due to PFAS related illness,” says Avonna Starck, Minnesota State Director of Clean Water Action.
“Minnesota is at the forefront of addressing the PFAS and toxic chemical crisis,” explained Sarah Doll, national director of Safer States. “This law shows that states are a key part of ensuring that communities are safe from PFAS. Consumers have a right to know what is in their products and this legislation, which builds on Maine’s PFAS disclosure law passed in 2021, will allow the public to know where PFAS is used and have information to avoid it.”
The bill has been named Amara’s Law in honor of health advocate Amarah Strande. Strande grew up near a 3M PFAS disposal facility and was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 15. She became a staunch advocate in favor of this law, often traveling to St. Paul despite being terminally ill. Although Ms. Strande passed away in April 2023, before the bill could become law, her family continued to press lawmakers to pass this legislation.
“Minnesota has just become the world leader in legislation to protect its people from PFAS “forever chemicals,” said Michael Strande, Amara’s father. “Amara testified not because of her own situation but because she believed she could be a voice for her community. Amara was an advocate for those who were sick and suffering with a disease or illness brought about from these dangerous chemicals. Dana, Nora, and I are grateful for the legislators who made the bold choice to pass Amara’s Law. This law will protect the people of Minnesota for generations to come.”
