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The resources in this toolkit were developed by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to help you spread the word about how Minnesota will reduce “forever chemicals” through Amara’s Law. Public awareness is important because Minnesotans may notice some changes to their shopping experience as the new law takes effect. Please use these tools to raise awareness about the PFAS prevention law taking effect in January 2025 and its rationale. 

Short summary

For use on a website, in newsletters, and to share with others using a more formal tone.

Minnesota is working hard to protect public health, the environment, and taxpayer dollars by reducing the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products. Minnesota passed a comprehensive PFAS pollution prevention law called Amara’s Law to do just that. The first stage of Amara’s Law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2025. At that time, 11 categories of common consumer products sold or distributed in Minnesota must be made without PFAS. Affected products include cosmetics, cookware, dental floss, and furniture, among others. Minnesotans may notice some changes to their shopping experience as the new law to end nonessential use of “forever chemicals” takes effect. However, manufacturers have been working to change their practices and many products made without PFAS are already available. 

PFAS are a class of human-made chemicals that have been widely used for decades. PFAS are extremely stable and do not break down in the environment. PFAS are useful in products. These chemicals can make products waterproof, stainproof, nonstick, heat-resistant, and more. However, there is a risk of PFAS pollution whenever a product containing PFAS is made, used, or even after it is disposed. PFAS have been found in the water, air, and soil in Minnesota. Long-term exposure to PFAS in even small amounts can affect human health.

Minnesota cannot clean its way out of the PFAS problem because PFAS pollution creates costly clean-up expenses. Instead, we must reduce the amount of PFAS entering the environment. By reducing the use of PFAS in products, we are protecting not only public health and the environment for generations to come but also public funding.

Downloadable Resources

Video links

One minute message

Short “elevator speech” in conversational tone on reducing PFAS use and Amara’s Law.

Minnesota tackles PFAS

Minnesota is stepping up its game to safeguard public health, the environment, and its budget by cutting down on per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products. The state's 2023 PFAS prevention law, called Amara's Law, will phase out these harmful chemicals by January 2032. A wide range of goods — from cosmetics to cookware — will be affected beginning in 2025.

PFAS are durable and resist breaking down, which in turn means they can pose significant potential health risks. Minnesota’s proactive approach on reducing the use of PFAS to protect people and the environment sets a precedent for other states’ work to prioritize sustainability over convenience. 

With PFAS found in Minnesota's water, air, and soil, the cost of cleanup and the toll on public health cannot be ignored. Amara's Law represents a significant step toward minimizing these impacts by reducing intentionally added PFAS in common consumer products.

As Minnesota prepares for a shift in its shopping landscape, the transition to PFAS-free products signals a broader move toward safer, more sustainable consumer goods. This law aims to protect the environment and public health and to alleviate the financial burden of PFAS pollution on taxpayers.

Key messages

To be used to discuss PFAS pollution reduction and Amara’s Law in Minnesota.

Reducing PFAS use and Amara’s Law 

  • Minnesota’s main PFAS pollution prevention law, known as Amara’s Law, will protect public health and the environment by phasing out nonessential use of PFAS in consumer products by January 2032.
  • In January 2025, 11 categories of common consumer products sold in Minnesota must be made without added PFAS. These categories are carpets and rugs, cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, fabric treatments, products for children under 12 (except electronics), menstruation products, textile furnishings, ski wax, and upholstered furniture.
  • Minnesotans may notice some changes to their shopping experience as the new law takes effect. Products made without PFAS are already available. Manufacturers are working to update their practices to support a smooth transition and increase PFAS-free products available to consumers.

What PFAS are and why it’s important to reduce use

  • Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” are a family of human-made chemicals that have been widely used for decades. PFAS are useful, because they can make products waterproof, stainproof, nonstick, heat-resistant, and more. However, there is a risk of PFAS pollution whenever a product containing PFAS is made, used, or even after it is disposed of.
  • Reducing PFAS use in consumer products lowers human exposure and reduces PFAS entering the environment.
  • PFAS do not break down in the environment and are costly to clean up. PFAS have been found in the water, air, and soil in Minnesota in part due to their use in consumer products. 
  • PFAS are known to accumulate in humans and animals. Long-term exposure to PFAS is known to affect human health.

How PFAS can impact human health

  • Long-term exposure to PFAS in even small amounts can affect human health. Exposure to some PFAS has been associated with an elevated risk of negative health outcomes, including impaired immune systems, liver problems, lower birthweight, and certain cancers.
  • PFAS can build up in a person’s body and be passed from pregnant people to infants before birth and through breastfeeding, making infants and children at high risk for PFAS exposure.

How humans are exposed to PFAS

  • People can be exposed to PFAS in many ways, including drinking water where the source has been contaminated by PFAS pollution.
  • For most Minnesotans, exposure to some types of PFAS comes from sources other than drinking water, such as consumer products treated with PFAS, fish caught from contaminated water, and eating food grown or raised with PFAS exposure.
  • Some PFAS containing consumer products could pose direct risks to product users. Other consumer products could pose risk during production or disposal of the product leading to pollution.

How reducing PFAS use will protect the environment and reduce future clean up costs

  • PFAS pollution has been found in the environment, including the air, soil, surface water, and groundwater. PFAS have also been found in fish and other wildlife.
  • Once PFAS are in the environment, they can make their way into water and food supplies, leading to human exposure.
  • Sources of PFAS pollution include manufacturing, use, and disposal of products containing PFAS. Because PFAS do not break down, products containing PFAS can threaten groundwater decades after their disposal.
  • Minnesota cannot clean its way out of the PFAS problem. PFAS cleanup costs are expensive. One pound of PFAS chemicals can be purchased for as little $50 would cost between $2.7 million and $18 million per pound to remove and destroy from wastewater. By creating a cleaner environment, we are creating a healthier Minnesota.

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Prior to January 2025

A law to reduce “forever chemicals” in Minnesota goes into effect in January 2025. Amara’s Law will protect public health and the environment through reducing PFAS in consumer products. Check out the MPCA web story to learn more! https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/eco-living-pfas-in-products

As Minnesota prepares for a shift in its shopping landscape, the transition to PFAS-free products signals a broader move toward safer, more sustainable consumer goods. This law not only aims to protect the environment and public health but also to alleviate the financial burden of PFAS pollution on taxpayers. Check out the MPCA web story to learn more! https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/eco-living-pfas-in-products

Curious about the new PFAS prevention law and what it means for you? Starting in 2025, products in 11 categories must be made without PFAS to be sold in Minnesota. Learn more here: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/eco-living-pfas-in-products

After January 2025

Minnesota has phased out PFAS in a wide range of consumer products to protect the environment and public health, and to alleviate the financial burden of PFAS pollution on taxpayers. Check out the MPCA web story to learn more! https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/eco-living-pfas-in-products

As of Jan. 1, consumer products in 11 different categories can no longer be made with added PFAS and then sold in Minnesota. This move will protect public health and our environment. Want to learn more? Check out the MPCA story here: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/eco-living-pfas-in-products

From ski wax to dental floss, cosmetics to fabric treatments, many of the products we’ve come to rely on have been made with potentially toxic PFAS. Minnesota’s new PFAS prevention law is banning products made with added PFAS in our state. Check out MPCA’s story to find out more: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/eco-living-pfas-in-products

Frequently asked questions

What is Amara’s Law and how will it impact product availability?

Amara’s Law will protect public health and the environment by reducing PFAS in consumer products. The new law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025, and will be fully implemented in 2032.

While other Minnesota laws already prohibit the use of added PFAS in food packaging and firefighting foam, Amara’s Law will require new products sold or distributed in 11 categories be made without added PFAS beginning in January 2025. Those categories are carpets and rugs, cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, fabric treatments, products for children under 12 (except electronics), menstruation products, textile furnishings, ski wax, and upholstered furniture.

Minnesotans may notice some changes to their shopping experience as Amara’s Law takes effect, though many products made without PFAS are already available. Manufacturers are working to update their practices to support a smooth transition and increase the number of products made without added PFAS available to consumers.

How do PFAS impact human health?

Long-term exposure to PFAS in even small amounts can affect human health. Exposure to some PFAS is associated with an elevated risk of negative health outcomes, including impaired immune systems, liver problems, lower birthweight, and certain cancers.

PFAS can build up in a person’s body and be passed from pregnant people to infants before birth and through breastfeeding, making infants and children at high risk for PFAS exposure.

Are the PFAS-containing products I already own dangerous?

You may continue to use the products you already own as you see fit. We cannot eliminate exposure completely, but we can reduce it by purchasing products made without PFAS moving forward. Reducing your use of products that contain PFAS can reduce your risk of certain cancers and other negative health effects.

Some consumer products could pose direct risks to users. With products like ski wax and waterproofing sprays, there is potential for exposure through inhaling vapor or dust. Personal care products (like sunscreen and cosmetics), dental floss, and menstruation products (including tampons, pads, and menstrual cups) may also be sources of direct exposure.

Other consumer products with added PFAS, like electronics, are associated with environmental releases of PFAS during manufacturing or disposal. These products themselves may or may not pose significant health risk through direct exposure.

What should I do with the products I already own that contain PFAS and how should I dispose of them?

While the law goes a long way toward preventing new products containing PFAS from being sold, most of us already own products from the above categories that could contain PFAS. These products may continue to be used — the new law doesn’t require households to replace or get rid of anything — but when the time comes, properly disposing of PFAS products can help protect the environment. Some of those items, like cookware and dental floss, can be disposed of alongside normal household solid waste.

Any liquid products containing PFAS — such as floor waxes, glass cleaners, and cleaners in aerosol cans — should not go down the drain. Instead, they should be disposed of through a county household hazardous waste program.

For detailed guidance on what constitutes household hazardous waste and what to do with products that contain PFAS, contact your county’s solid waste department.  

What products still contain PFAS?

Just from looking at most products, it’s difficult to tell whether they contain PFAS, which is why Amara’s Law puts the responsibility on manufacturers and retailers, not consumers. Some manufacturers have begun to advertise their products as “made without PFAS” or committed to removing PFAS from their manufacturing processes, but Minnesota’s laws do not require manufacturers to label their products in any way.

Several organizations offer third-party verification of products claiming to be made without PFAS. Minnesota’s laws don’t require these certifications, but they can be a good resource for consumers and retailers who are trying buy or sell safer products.

How can I reduce my exposure to PFAS through products?

New Minnesota PFAS laws make it easier for consumers to avoid PFAS in their homes.

Some manufacturers have begun to advertise their products as “made without PFAS” or committed to removing PFAS from their manufacturing processes, but Minnesota’s laws do not require manufacturers to label their products in any way.

Searching company websites may be a way to learn if their products contain PFAS. Some companies have statements on their websites about their commitment to remove PFAS from their products.

Third-party product testing can help consumers find goods made without added PFAS.

How does anybody know whether products for sale in Minnesota contain PFAS?

Reporting requirements that take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, will compel manufacturers to provide detailed information on PFAS in products. If the MPCA suspects a product contains PFAS and thus violates state law, the agency may require the manufacturer of the product to have it tested for PFAS.

How will these prohibitions be enforced?

This will be enforced similarly to other product restrictions, such as lead and cadmium in children’s toys or the prohibition of PFAS in food packaging that went into effect in January 2024.

Education is the first step in compliance. The MPCA has a strong history of working collaboratively with manufacturers and retailers when product violations are found. Rarely has the MPCA had to issue penalties, but the statute does give the agency that ability.