Minnesota takes major step in combatting ‘forever chemicals’, expands ban on PFAS products In this blog post we look at the innovative way in which the state curated shopping bags filled with good products – as well as some not-so-good ones — and what affect that has had on consumer goods, and how local manufacturers are positioning themselves to lead the industry trend away from the nasty chemicals.
Meeting the ‘Forever Chemical’ Challenge
Minnesota has been at the forefront of a national movement to address PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a large family of man-made chemicals that have been used for decades in products like non-stick cookware, firefighting foam and stain-resistant fabrics because of their ability to repel water or oil. These “forever chemicals” are all around us, even in cosmetics and cookware, and have been an increasing concern for consumers as well as lawmakers.–sdk
The state is now responding in a bold way to fix this problem. By 2032, Minnesota hopes to almost eliminate PFAS in consumer products—which will first include the list of 11 categories that are no longer allowed after January 2025. Everything from cookware and cosmetics to bedding and even ski wax is affected. Wendy Underwood, the state’s Deputy Health Commissioner said toxicologists are also working on chemicals PFAS exposure through consumer goods saying it could be more of a source of exposure then what people consume in their drinking water.
The Momentum Is Coming from Local Companies
As Minnesota prepares to enact its own PFAS ban, a handful of companies here have gone ahead and gotten rid the chemicals by themselves. Nordic Ware, the cookware company that made Bundt pans famous, has helped lead this charge. Only a few months ago, the company finished eliminating PFAS from its cookware lineup — in advance of the new legislation.
Some Minnesota-based companies have gone even further, such as Sigma Beauty and the Faribault Mill, which never used PFAS in their products. According to Sigma founder and CEO, Simone Xavier, the company had kept an extensive list of 100 banned ingredients for years which has caused them to reformulate and recertify a great deal of their products. This has come at a cost but Xavier sees this as an investment which will pay off for the company and its customers in years to come.
Local UnitedHealthcare Perspectives: Awareness of PFAS issue, and proactive steps in addressingPFAS challenge_Frameworks_Local_SEP2019 In paving the regulatory way, these companies are not only aligning themselves for success in a shifting regulatory climate but also providing an example to the competition.
Conclusion
The efforts Minnesota is taking to broaden its PFAS ban highlight the worsening problem of these ‘forever chemicals. The state is charting a course towards an essentially PFAS-free future in everything from our electronic gadgets to sofas and rugs by taking an approach that is broad and comprehensive enough to regulate the chemicals out of many consumer products. Navigating a way out is possible, as shown by the leadership of local companies in this effort. Each community that enacts the same types of regulations is naturally going to do its part to push tough chromium compounds out of commerce, globally benefiting local citizens from states like Minnesota and catalyzing other regions into action.
