“You…have not made sure businesses follow permitted uses of TCE, and have not protected my community…”

Following is a statement submitted by a White Bear area resident and read by Representative Wazlawik as she introduced legislation on 2/24/2020 to address the issues exposed by Water Gremlin.

I am a mother of two young adults, a wife, and a homeowner in White Bear Lake. My home, where I raised my kids and where I was living when I got diagnosed, treated, and survived cancer, is in the area around Water Gremlin that has been subjected to more than 15 years of excessive emissions of the toxic chemical, TCE. You, our government, have not made sure businesses follow permitted uses of TCE, and have not protected my community from excessive, toxic TCE emissions.

Toxic contamination is not just a White Bear Area problem, and high levels of TCE air, water and soil pollution have been found in many communities around Minnesota. St. Louis Park is the location of a new MPCA plan to create a Superfund site due to ongoing issues of toxic TCE vapors from contaminated groundwater and soil vapor. Communities have also had to pay millions to make sure their drinking water is safe due to TCE contamination including in Bayport, Fridley, Edina and many others. You, our government, have not protected other communities from excessive, toxic TCE emissions.

There is not a question that TCE is bad for human health. TCE has been known to be dangerous to humans since at least 2001, almost 20 years ago. Still, TCE continues to be used by businesses even though there are safer alternatives to use in its place. You, our government, have not provided enough incentives and support to businesses to encourage use of safer, non-toxic alternatives to toxic TCE.

I am asking you to protect me, my family, my community and all Minnesota communities by banning TCE.

I am asking you not to wait another 20 years to ban TCE, when we KNOW TCE is dangerous to human health and is costing our state lives and money but we do nothing.

I am asking you to ban TCE NOW, with a suggested end date to use of TCE of 12/31/2021.