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ST PAUL, MN -- As the state prepares for the 2025 legislative session, advocates and lawmakers convened today to reinforce the importance of Minnesota’s groundbreaking 2023 legislation banning non-essential uses of PFAS “forever chemicals”. A small group of Republican lawmakers have taken to social media, pledging to dismantle Amara’s Law — the nation’s strongest prohibition on toxic PFAS chemicals.  

The PFAS legislation was named in honor of Amara Strande, a young woman who spent her final months advocating for the bill. She lost her fight against the devastating impacts of cancer she linked to PFAS exposure prior to her work being signed into law.

The event addressed recent misinformation and fearmongering surrounding the law. “This isn’t a good look,” said Avonna Starck, Minnesota State Director of Clean Water Action. “Conservative groups sent out mailers in during the election attacking the DFL, claiming not enough was being done to combat PFAS and protect Minnesota families. Now, some conservative legislators want to make it easier for polluters to operate here. It’s hypocritical and deeply concerning.”

The Strande family has continued Amara’s mission by lobbying for federal PFAS action in Washington, D.C. The Strande family released a statement saying, “Two years ago, Minnesota Republicans and Democrats voted for the most comprehensive law in the world to ban forever chemicals in non-essential products.

A few weeks before she breathed her last breath Amara spoke at a committee hearing supporting the ban of the use of PFAS chemicals. Amara challenged both legislators and companies to be part of the solution to the Forever Chemical crisis.  

Now, two years later, legislators and companies that use PFAS chemicals in their products are working to lobby against Amara’s Law. Amara’s Law protects children, teenagers, boys and girls, daughters, sons, granddaughters and grandsons from these insidiously toxic chemicals.  

The fight to protect Minnesotans from corporate greed and the casual use of these toxic chemicals has only just begun. We are committed to carry on Amara’s advocacy for clean water and turning off the tap of the use of Forever Chemicals in nonessential products.”

Senator Judy Seeberger strongly criticized efforts to weaken the law saying, “It boggles my mind that the GOP is prioritizing gutting Amara’s Law. For industry? I have zero sympathy for companies knowingly polluting our environment and hiding carcinogens in products meant for children.”

Advocate Andrea Lovell added, “The fact that some legislators are focusing their energy on making our water and environment less safe is alarming. Minnesotans deserve better.”

Starck emphasized the law’s careful design and widespread support: “Amara’s Law bans non-essential uses of toxic PFAS, and there’s an exemption process through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for situations where alternatives aren’t available. These legislators clearly haven’t read the law. It passed with bipartisan support and has the backing of many Minnesotans, businesses, and advocate groups.”

Advocates urged the public to remain vigilant against efforts to roll back environmental protections and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring Minnesota continues to lead the fight against PFAS contamination.

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Clean Water Action works at the national, state and local level to develop strong, community-based environmental leadership and bring together diverse constituencies to work cooperatively for policies that improve lives and protect water. Clean Water Action has been in Minnesota since 1982, focused on finding solutions to health, consumer, environmental and community problems and working to protect our water and our people. Learn more at www.cleanwater.org/MN
 

"Through no fault of my own, I was exposed to these toxic chemicals. And as a result, I will die with this cancer."

"We must come together to demand change and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. I urge all of you to take a stand against these toxic chemicals and demand change. Together we can make a difference and protect ourselves and future generations from the devastating effects of PFAS."

"3M poisoned our water to save a buck or two"

Derek Lowen grew up in Oakdale, Minnesota. Oakdale is also home to a 3M disposal site, one of several across the state. Water testing in 2005 and 2006 showed extremely high levels of PFOS and PFOA, two types of PFAS chemicals. Internal documents showed that 3M was aware of the dangers of PFAS chemicals for decades, but did not inform alert the public or the government about the potential risk.

"Nobody deserves to go through what I did. We all deserve clean water and good health."

"It is unacceptable to allow these forever chemicals to destroy not only our city, but our environment and our planet as well. If PFAS chemicals are even remotely to blame for my illness then I fear for the other people, families, and children living in the areas where they are at risk of exposure."