3m

More than 2 million pounds of toxic chemicals were dumped into Minnesota’s waterways during 2007, according to a new report (pdf) by Environment Minnesota. 3M was by far the most prolific dumper of pollutants, with more than 1 million pounds discharged into the Mississippi River.
Nationwide at least 232 million pounds of toxic chemicals were released [...]

Reading between the lines suggests that Norm Coleman’s sights are firmly set on starting a federal-court fight to win his return to the U.S. Senate seat — and that at least one local corporate leader thinks he’s still occupying that seat.

Teflon and Scotchgard both belong to a family of chemicals known as PFOAs, or perfluorooctanoic acids. They are known for their resistance to sticking and staining, but more is being learned about these chemicals in the environment, their presence in human bloodstreams worldwide and their ability to remain in bloodsteams over long periods of time.

In [...]

St. Paul is contemplating plastering ads on the sides of its skyways during the Republican National Convention, the PiPress reports. The purpose: to raise funds for kiosks that would help orient RNC visitors to the city’s skyway system. It does seem better orientation could benefit St. Paul — whose streets, former Gov. Jesse Ventura once [...]

A recent study conducted at University of Massachusetts Amherst found that of 45 samples of human breast milk tested for perfluorinated compounds, or PFCs, all 45 yielded positive results. Milk samples were collected in 2004 from nursing mothers in Massachusetts and analyzed for nine different PFCs, including varieties once manufactured by 3M that are found [...]

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 [...]

Guest Article by Tom Elko of Sky Blue Waters and is cross-posted here.

Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Dianne Mandernach has apologized, amidst calls for her resignation, for suppressing the release of information, for over one year, on 35 Iron Range miners who died of asbestos-related cancer.

Governor Pawlenty, while acknowledging that what Mandernach did was wrong, [...]