
Recent studies of Minnesota’s waters show that a wide variety of chemicals such as pharmaceuticals, insecticides, fertilizers, and those found in personal care products are ending up in lakes and rivers. Many of these substances have properties that can interfere with the functioning of hormones in animals and people. Some mimic the effects of hormones in animals and negatively impact growth and development.
Contaminants of emerging concern toolkit
The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, along with a group of stakeholders, developed a toolkit to help educate families, farmers, contractors, and caregivers about safely handling and disposing of medications, pesticides, and mercury.
The toolkit includes customizable print ads, handouts, billboards, postcards, and videos.

These customizable ads and handouts offers tips for families and caregivers on how to properly dispose of medications and the importance of protecting children and the environment safe.
For questions about the toolkit, contact Western Lake Superior Sanitary District at info@wlssd.com
Keep seniors safe brochure
Don't risk their well-being postcard
They deserve safekeeping print ad - 1
They deserve safekeeping print ad - 2
Don't flush medications billboard
Handle with Care: Medication toolkit
Download customizable pdf, InDesign files (CS6), associated links and fonts, along with photos.
Videos
These short videos (30 seconds or less) are perfect for social media. Download the videos from MPCA's YouTube channel. Click on "share" for link or to add or embed to your social media or web sites.
Other resources

Whether you take care of a yard or a cropland, it's important to choose, use, and store pesticides and herbicides carefully. This toolkit offers tips for farmers and homeowners on agriculture and yard chemicals.
For questions about the toolkit, contact Western Lake Superior Sanitary District at info@wlssd.com
Lawn care chemicals 101 brochure
Leave a greater legacy postcard
Keep your yard safe print ad
Choosing yard care products billboard
Handle with Care - Pesticides toolkit
Download customizable pdf, InDesign files (CS6), associated links and fonts, along with photos.
Videos
These short videos (30 seconds or less) are perfect for social media. Download the videos from MPCA's YouTube channel. Click on "share" for link or to add or embed to your social media or web sites.
Other resources

Mercury can pose a risk for accidental spills, poisoning and home contamination, especially putting children and pets in harm’s way. Use this toolkit to educate contractors and families about mercury.
For questions about the toolkit, contact Western Lake Superior Sanitary District at info@wlssd.com
Mercury disposal for contractors brochure
Dispose of mercury properly postcard
Dispose of CFL bulbs properly print ad
Dispose of CFLs properly billboard
Handle with Care - Mercury toolkit
Download customizable pdf, InDesign files (CS6), associated links and fonts, along with photos.
Videos
These short videos (30 seconds or less) are perfect for social media. Download the videos from MPCA's YouTube channel. Click on "share" for link or to add or embed to your social media or web sites.
Other resources
Permission to use
Minnesota state and local government, sanitary sewer districts, and non-profit organizations can use this toolkit to educate families, farmers, contractors, and caregivers about safely handling and disposing of medications, pesticides, and mercury. Please send a copy of your outreach products created with the toolkit to info@wlssd.com.
Other organizations can request permission to use the toolkit by contacting the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District at info@wlssd.com.
Funding for the toolkit
The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District developed the Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) toolkit with funding from the Minnesota Department of Health through the State of Minnesota’s Clean Water Fund, a constitutionally established fund used to protect Minnesota’s waters.
Social media is another way to share information with your community. Some of the more common social media sites include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, YouTube, and Pinterest. Here's a few tips to consider then working with social media.
Example posts
Mercury
Pesticides
Pharmaceuticals