Clean Water Action Alliance of Minnesota
PFC Contamination
Over 40% of Minnesota waters that have been tested by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency are polluted. Many contaminants pollute Minnesota's waters: human and animal waste, algae from too much phosphorus and other pollutants. Now a new group of toxins have contaminated our water system, including our drinking water–perfluorochemicals or PFCs. Learn more about PFC contamination in Minnesota and the rest of the country.
Spotlight
Minnesota Angling At Risk From Global Warming
Read Minnesotat State Director Ken Bradley's Fishing Opener op-ed in the Star Tribune
Photo by Rick Wallace
Current Campaigns
Reducing Global Warming Pollution
Global Warming will bring changes to our lakes, rivers, streams and natural areas. Sadly, the local effects of Global Warming are already transforming Minnesota.
Water levels in many lakes and rivers will fall. Shorter ice cover on our lakes means less ice fishing. Earlier snowmelt in the spring will disrupt the reproduction of fish and other aquatic life. Cold water fish like trout and walleye will be threatened as water temperatures warm. Hotter, drier summer weather and increasingly serious storms will hurt both farmers and forestry. Erosion and runoff will degrade water quality in our lakes and rivers. Learn more...
Restoring Citizen's Right to Know
We make decisions about our health and that of our children every day. In order to make smart, responsible decisions to protect our health we need information about when, where and what pesticides we are exposed to. We know that pesticides are present in our indoor and outdoor environments. Some pesticides have been linked to infertility, birth defects and child and adult cancers. The public has limited information about the types of pesticides that are being used in their communities, or when they are applied. Without this basic information, we cannot make smart, responsible decisions to protect our health and our children from pesticide exposure. Find out more about restoring your right to know....
Healthy Kids: Safe Baby Products
Recent toy recalls have left a lot of parents wondering, what else is in my kids' toys? Infants and toddlers are being exposed to two chemicals -- phthalates and bisphenol-A -- that are particularly toxic. Both of these plastic additives cause hormone disruption, leading to a number of serious health problems. Children can be exposed directly through the skin, inhalation and leeching. Bisphenol-A is commonly used in baby bottles and “sippy” cups. Phthalates are often found in teething rings. Young children are particularly vulnerable to hormone disruption, especially during periods of intense growth. Thankfully safer alternatives are available. Bottom line -- you shouldn't have to be a chemist to find a safe toy.
Phasing-Out Toxic Flame Retardants
Some flame retardants contain toxic chemicals that get into the environment and into the human body. These have been linked to adverse health impacts. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame retardants that are highly persistent in the environment. PBDEs accumulate in the food chain and in the human body. A common commercial form, known as deca-BDE, is widely used in televisions, computers, wires, cables and some textiles. However, safer alternatives are available. Deca also degrades into the more toxic PBDE forms, penta and octa. Washington State found that RDP, while not a perfect alternative, is significantly less toxic and meets safety codes. Get more information on toxic flame retardants like Deca...
