Priority Chemicals

Background

Under Minn. Stat.116.9403, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), in consultation with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), may designate a Chemical of High Concern as a Priority Chemical if the chemical:

1. has been identified as a high-production volume chemical by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. 
2. meets any of the following criteria:
   1. the chemical has been found through biomonitoring to be present in human blood, including umbilical cord blood, breast milk, urine, or other bodily tissues or fluids.
   2. the chemical has been found through sampling and analysis to be present in household dust, indoor air, drinking water, or elsewhere in the home environment.
   3. the chemical has been found through monitoring to be present in fish, wildlife, or the natural environment.

The first list of Priority Chemicals was required to be published by Feb. 1, 2011, in the State Register and on the MDH website and has not had any chemicals added or removed since the original publication. The list contains nine priority chemicals, which can be viewed below. Per the statute, MDH must update the list whenever a new Priority Chemical is designated.

There are also numerous eligibility exclusions that MDH must follow when designating a Priority Chemical (see Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, Minnesota Statutes, 116.9405).