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MPCA urges targeted extensions for PFAS, lead and cadmium product bans while pressing industry to speed substitutions
Summary
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency presented a report recommending time‑limited extensions for some 2025 product prohibitions tied to PFAS, lead and cadmium, proposing staged deadlines and progress reporting while reaffirming public‑health harms of these chemicals.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) told the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 11 that it recommends limited, product‑specific extensions to statutory bans on intentionally added PFAS and on lead and cadmium in certain product components to allow manufacturers time to adopt verified alternatives.
"No amount of lead is considered safe in children," MPCA Assistant Commissioner Kirk Koudelka said in testimony summarizing health risks and the agency's findings.
Background and scope The committee asked MPCA to study four product/chemical categories: PFAS in upholstered furniture (electronic and other internal components), PFAS in firefighting foams for airport hangars, lead and cadmium in key fobs (internal electronic components), and lead in pen tips and mechanical pencils. MPCA reviewed independent research, consulted manufacturers and trade groups, and analyzed permitting and disposal pathways that can spread these chemicals into the environment and water systems.
Major MPCA recommendations - Upholstered furniture: MPCA said manufacturers currently have limited…
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