Good News for 3M and Anglers

July 3, 2012 – The Pioneer Press reports on the Minnesota Department of Health finding that fish in the local area are safer to eat in an article titled “For 3M and for Anglers, Good News.” Prior findings had become an area of focus for local fishermen, state officials, and environmentalists.

3M is arguing against prior designations for local waterways that claim the water is “impaired.”

William. A. Brewer III said, “Based on this revised fish advisory for Pool 2, we believe the PCA will revise the drat Impaired Waters List.”

The article observes 3M has spent more than $100 million to clean the chemicals out of the water. It also installed filters for drinking water, among other things. The Press reports that “The efforts appear to be making a difference.”

3M Wants Met Council to Share River Pollution Blame

January 9, 2012 – The Pioneer Press reports today on firm client 3M Company and its efforts to hold Met Council responsible for alleged contamination due to certain chemicals produced by the company. The article explains 3M filed a counterclaim against Met Council – alleging that the planning agency “dumps chemicals into the river form its even waste treatment plants.”

The article quotes firm partner William Brewer, who notes the chemicals must be coming from sources other than 3M. He observes 3M stopped making PFOS in 2002. So, 10 years later, why is the chemical still being found in the Mississippi River, the reporting asks. Brewer told the Press it must be that it is coming from other sources than 3M. The article notes that Minnesota AG Lori Swanson filed a lawsuit against 3M.

To read the article “3M Turns Tables on Met Council in Mississippi River Pollution Trial,” click here.

Pioneer Press Editorial: Good News on 3M Clean-up

December 8, 2011 – The Pioneer Press editorial board wrote an opinion piece today praising 3M Company for its environmental practices. The publication reports 3M’s environmental clean-up is working:  “That’s good news that deserves notice, as does 3M’s seven-year commitment to clean up a chemical pollutant found in some tested Washington County residents.”

Firm client 3M is defending an environmental pollution lawsuit from the Minnesota Attorney General.

Read the editorial here.

3M Comments on Report that Finds PFC Blood Levels Decline

December 6, 2011 – Firm client 3M Company commented on today’s announcement of a biomonitoring study released by the Minnesota Department of Health that confirms the company’s belief that the levels of perfluorochemicals found in the bloodstream of East Metro residents are significantly declining.

“The efforts by 3M have had a positive impact on reducing PFC exposure,” 3M Spokesman Bill Nelson stated in the article “3M Chemicals Down Sharply in East Metro Residents.”

Following 3M’s decision to phase-out the use of PFCs in 2000, the company entered into a Consent Order and Settlement Agreement with the MPCA in May 2007. 3M voluntarily agreed to remove PFCs from the environment.

Pioneer Press Reports on 3M River Cleanup

November 3, 2011 – The Pioneer Press reports today on a study from 3M Company that indicates certain local waterways are no longer impaired by PFOS. The article reports on 3M’s decision to stop using the compound, and its collaboration with environmentalists, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and others to remediate the compounds from the local area. The firm represents 3M in defense of various legal actions pertaining to the company’s past manufacturing, use and disposal of the compounds.

According to the article, “Whitney Clark, executive director of Friends of the Mississippi River, said 3M should be commended for the mitigation work it has done over the years.”

To read the article “Chemical Levels in River Fish Drop, 3M Says,” click here.