Toxic Free Kids Program

During the 2009 legislative session, the Toxic Free Kids Act (Minn. Stat. 116.9401 – 116.9407) was passed and signed into law by the governor. This legislation requires the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to create two lists of chemicals: one list called “Chemicals of High Concern” and one called “Priority Chemicals.”

The Toxic Free Kids (TFK) program is housed in the Environmental Surveillance and Assessment Section within the Environmental Health Division and supports the MDH mission to protect, maintain, and improve the health of all Minnesotans.

The TFK program responsibilities include:  

• Identifying and communicating the potential for hazardous chemical exposure that could be harmful to human health, particularly children and pregnant people, who can be more vulnerable. 
• Reviewing and updating the Chemicals of High Concern and Priority Chemical lists established by Minnesota statute.
• Nominating chemicals for development of health-based guidance values within other MDH programs, such as the Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) program; and is involved in risk communication efforts.

MDH is required to review and revise the Chemicals of High Concern list at least every three years. The TFK program published the fourth update of the Chemicals of High Concern list in July 2022. A report describing this process as well as public education and partnership efforts can be found on the Reports page. The fifth update of the Chemicals of High Concern list is scheduled for July 2025.

This page provides links to information about the two lists that MDH maintains, as well as links to other states doing similar work.

Chemicals of High Concern Priority Chemicals Reports

Other states doing similar work

• Maine: Safer Chemicals in Children's Products
• Oregon: Toxic Free Kids Act
• Vermont: Chemical Disclosure Program for Children's Products
• Washington: Children's Safe Products Act

Of interest

• Understanding Formaldehyde in Children's and Consumer Products (PDF)
• Lead and Cadmium in Children's Jewelry (PDF)
• Washington State: Children's products tested for toxic chemicals (YouTube Video)