Current Priorities
Protecting from PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as forever chemicals because they don't break down in the environment, are widely used in consumer products, resulting in the contamination of our water, soil, and food. This pollution presents significant health risks, from liver and immune system damage to cancer.
For over five years, Conservation Minnesota worked with citizen groups, partner organizations, and legislators to pass a suite of bills designed to protect Minnesota families and keep these harmful contaminants out of our homes and the environment.
In 2023, Minnesota enacted a nation-leading ban on PFAS known as Amara’s Law, named for a young Minnesotan who died from cancer linked to PFAS exposure.
At the age of 15, Amara Strande was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer linked to PFAS—a story that is tragically common in her Minnesota community.
Amara used her voice at the Minnesota Capitol to support banning PFAS, but she didn't live to see it pass.
Collectively, the PFAS bills ban all non-essential uses and require reporting of PFAS in products—even in agricultural fertilizers—making Minnesota the nation's leading state for PFAS restrictions.
Since its passage, Amara's Law has been threatened with industry lawsuits and legislation designed to weaken it. To protect the health of our communities, Conservation Minnesota will continue to advocate for the strictest interpretation and implementation of Amara's Law and oppose legislation that would undermine it.
