ST. PAUL — Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), synthetic chemicals used in stain and water-resistant fabrics and carpeting and industrial products, some of which are known to be hazardous to humans, are in 98% of assessed closed landfills, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

Since PFAS contamination was found in the eastern Twin Cities drinking water about 20 years ago, it was found in water, sediment, soil and fish around the state.

At 62 of 111 sites in the Closed Landfill Program, PFAS levels exceeded Minnesota Department of Health drinking water guidance values. PFAS was found in 100 of the landfills.

PFAS levels 10 times state health standards were found at 16 landfills in Dakota, Faribault, Martin, Isanti, Le Sueur, Washington and Watonwan counties.

On March 23, 2023, the MPCA and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) asked lawmakers to advance Minnesota’s progress on addressing per and PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is also a partner in this work.

An interagency plan called the PFAS Blueprint has tested public water supplies of 98% of Minnesotans, funded pollution prevention partnerships, pioneered new clean up technology, and launched a statewide PFAS monitoring plan.

“Minnesotans should feel encouraged by our progress. However, there is much more work to be done to be done to build on this momentum and keep up with our evolving understanding of PFAS,” said MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler. “We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the Legislature on proposals that could accelerate essential pollution prevention measures and bring additional resources to work to avoid, manage and clean up PFAS.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s One Minnesota budget request includes a $45.57 million investment in the state’s capacity to prevent, manage, and clean up PFAS pollution. Funds would provide grants to public water supplies, assist local businesses with PFAS reduction, improve water and fish monitoring, and build lab and health guidance capacity for PFAS.

The budget request includes:

• $25 million in statewide grants to support drinking water systems.

• $4.42 million to assist businesses and local government with reducing PFAS use.

• $4.14 million to MPCA PFAS Blueprint capacity.

• $1 million to support MPCA PFAS water quality monitoring.

• $990,000 for DNR fish contamination assessment for mercury, PCBs and PFAS.

• $10.1 million to build a PFAS lab and health guidance capacity.

• For more information, visit https://www.pca.state.mn.us/

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).