State legislators announce a new plan to protect families and communities from “forever chemicals” as new rules are set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
A new set of federal standards will now regulate major companies to prevent these chemicals from contaminating Minnesota waterways and air.
Oakdale High School student Amara Strande died from a rare cancer her family says she was diagnosed with after being exposed to contamination by 3M near her school and home.
Her sister Nora Strande spoke in support of these new standards.
“Mars Law is the toughest law in the world that restricts the use of forever chemicals. My family learned about the environmental and health effects of PFAS chemicals and the mass dumping of them on the east metro of St. Paul,” Nora Strande said.
Nora Strande went on to say that after her sister was made aware of PFAS chemicals, she suspected that they were the cause of her cancer.
“My sister realized how dangerous these chemicals were and the likelihood of them being the cause of her cancer. She decided to testify for the ban of them in products within our state,” she said.
Nora and her family hope these new federal standards will better protect all Minnesotans.
In a statement to News Talk 830 WCCO, 3M said that it does "not anticipate any impacts to our manufacturing operations."
"3M is committed to compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and we will continue to work to address legacy PFAS issues," the company said in a statement adding that it has made strides to reduce PFAS chemicals in its manufacturing by more than 20%.