State Pays for PFC Cleanup

The November 2007 State Economic Forecast estimates the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will spend $650,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $400,000 in fiscal year 2009 on per-fluorochemical (PFC) contamination. The $1.05 million will be used for analysis and technical assistance during the cleanup of the contaminated areas.

In May, 3M reached an agreement with the MPCA’s citizen board to handle the cleanup, pay $8 million to reduce the leaking of PFCs from a landfill in Lake Elmo and $5 million for research into the effects of PFCs. At the time, MPCA Deputy Commissioner Leo Raudys was quoted by the AP calling the $13 million in payments a “gift” because 3M isn’t obligated to make them.

The chemical compound has been found in lakes and drinking wells throughout the Twin Cities after seeping from 3M-owned waste sites. The company produced PFCs for Scotchgard as well as products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water. Research has shown PFCs can be harmful to the liver and other organs in animals, but no direct health threats in humans have been identified. The chemicals are bioaccumulative in humans and animals and are highly resistant to breaking down in the environment.

The money for PFC cleanup is part of a two-year, $17.6 million budget for the state Superfund Program. The program determines cleanup plans for abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous-waste sites where there is a risk to human health or the environment. State Superfund dollars are limited, and laws governing the use of such money is restricted to preliminary site investigations, emergency actions, cleanup of sites where those responsible are unknown  and as matching funds for federal Superfund actions.