Minnesota state agencies will no longer buy cleaning products containing the chemical triclosan, which has been found in state lakes and rivers.
Gov. Mark Dayton issued an executive order today banning state use of the chemical and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says the state will stop buying products containing it, and phase out use of existing stocks by June.
Triclosan is used in some hand soaps, dish soaps and laundry cleaning products. The chemical is anti-microbial agent but a University of Minnesota study found increasing amounts of it in the sediment in eight Minnesota lakes and rivers, including Lake Superior, the Duluth harbor, Lake Shagawa in Ely, Lake Pepin, Lake St. Croix, Lake Winona, East Lake Gemini and Little Wilson Lake, says the Duluth News Tribune.
In a statement, Cathy Moeger, sustainability manager at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, said: “By purchasing items without triclosan, state agencies are doing their part to keep this harmful chemical out of Minnesota waters.”
