When we talk about protecting our brains, we usually think about things like sleep, stress, or screen time. But the products we interact with, even the air we breathe and water we drink, can impact our health too. The chemicals in our water and environment can quietly impact how our brains develop, function, and age.
This Brain Awareness Week, it’s worth asking a simple question: what are we being exposed to, and what can we do about it?
At Clean Water Action, this is at the heart of our work.
What Are Neurotoxins and Why Should We Care?
Neurotoxins are chemicals that interfere with the nervous system. They can disrupt brain development, damage neurons, and affect memory, learning, and behavior.
From aging water infrastructure to agricultural runoff to emerging contaminants, neurotoxins show up in places and things we interact with every day. And the health impacts aren’t evenly distributed. Communities near industrial sites, heavily-farmed areas, or older housing are often hit hardest. State biomonitoring data shows that the vast majority of Minnesota children have detectable levels of multiple toxic chemicals in their bodies, including metals and pesticides.
The Neurotoxins Showing Up in Minnesota
Heavy Metals: A Persistent Threat
Lead continues to be one of the most dangerous neurotoxins, especially for children.
There is no safe level of lead exposure for children, and even small amounts can affect attention, behavior, and learning
Older homes across Minnesota remain a major source of exposure due to the high volume of lead service lines. You can enter your address and see if you have a lead service line here: https://maps.umn.edu/LSL/
Children under 6 are especially vulnerable because their brains are still developing
Mercury, commonly found in contaminated fish and industrial pollution, can impair memory and motor skills. Arsenic, which can contaminate groundwater, has been linked to cognitive decline and developmental delays. According to the Minnesota Department of Health:
- About 40% of new wells in Minnesota have detectable arsenic levels, and
- Roughly 1 in 10 private wells exceed health-based limits.
That means many families—especially in Greater Minnesota—may be exposed through something as basic and essential as drinking water.
Pesticides & Herbicides: Widespread and Underestimated
Minnesota’s strong agricultural economy comes with a cost: pesticide and herbicide exposure.
Many of these chemicals are designed to attack the nervous systems of pests, but they don’t always stay contained. They drift through the air, run off into waterways, and can end up in our bodies.
One chemical we’re especially concerned about is paraquat.
Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide that has been linked to Parkinson’s disease
Even small amounts can be lethal
It’s already banned in over 70 countries, but still used in the United States
That’s why Clean Water Action Minnesota is actively campaigning to ban paraquat in Minnesota. No one should be exposed to a chemical so strongly tied to neurological harm simply because of where they live or work.
Microplastics: The Pollution You Can’t See
Microplastics are now being found in Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, and drinking water sources—including the Mississippi River.
They’re tiny, but they’re not harmless: These tiny particles don’t just exist on their own; they can also carry toxic chemicals inside them. Early research suggests they may be able to cross into the body in ways we’re only beginning to understand, affecting brain health through inflammation and chemical exposure.
This is one of the fastest-growing environmental health concerns, and we’re only beginning to understand the full impact.
What You Can Do to Reduce Exposure
We shouldn’t have to “DIY” our way out of toxic exposure, but until stronger protections are in place, there are practical steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones:
- Use a certified water filter that removes lead and other contaminants
- Limit pesticide use in your yard and garden
- Wash produce thoroughly, especially non-organic items
- Reduce plastic use (especially single-use plastics and food packaging)
- Stay informed about local water quality
- Minnesota has public data available for many communities
These steps matter, but real protection comes from policy change.
What We’re Fighting for in Minnesota
At Clean Water Action, we’re focused on stopping pollution at the source—because prevention is the most effective way to protect brain health.
Banning Paraquat
Our campaign to ban paraquat is about protecting farmworkers, rural communities, and anyone exposed through drift during application or contaminated water. Minnesota has an opportunity to lead where federal protections have fallen short.
Reducing Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Products
We advocate for stronger state policies that limit harmful chemicals in consumer products, because exposure doesn’t just come from farms or factories, it comes from what we bring into our homes.
Tackling Plastic Pollution
We’re working to reduce plastic waste statewide, supporting policies that cut down on single-use plastics and prevent microplastics from entering our waterways in the first place.
Ensuring Safe, Clean Water for All
From lead pipe replacement to stronger drinking water standards, we push for investments and policies that ensure every Minnesotan—no matter their zip code—has access to safe water.
This is About More Than Awareness
This Brain Awareness Week we are asking ourselves and our community to decide what we’re willing to do to protect our brains from toxic chemicals. Because the truth is, we can’t think, learn, or thrive if we’re being exposed to chemicals that undermine our health.
Minnesota has a strong tradition of environmental leadership. Now is the time to build on that legacy by banning the most dangerous chemicals, reducing pollution, and making sure clean water truly means safe water. At Clean Water Action, we’re working to make sure the water we drink supports healthy brains for generations to come.
