Minnesota's ambitious move to eliminate PFAS, known as 'forever chemicals', from a wide range of consumer products presents significant challenges due to the lack of viable alternatives.
Brooks Johnson and Chloe Johnson report for the Star Tribune.
In short:
- Minnesota is outlawing PFAS, chemicals found in numerous consumer products, due to their significant health and environmental impacts.
- The phase-out of PFAS, which are used for their water-proofing and stain-resistant properties, poses a billion-dollar challenge for companies like 3M.
- Finding safe and effective alternatives for PFAS is proving difficult, impacting industries from cookware to firefighting equipment.
Key quote:
"Safe, economically-feasible alternatives are not there; they're not readily available."
— Allison Lange Garrison, product liability and complex litigation attorney
Why this matters:
The move to eliminate PFAS in Minnesota underscores a growing awareness of the health risks posed by these chemicals. This shift not only impacts consumer products but also reflects a broader national conversation on environmental health and safety.
Related: Minnesota enacts nation’s broadest ban of “forever chemicals.”
