Toxic Free Kids Act
Chemicals of High Concern and Priority Chemicals
July 2022

During the 2009 legislative session, the Toxic Free Kids Act (Minn. Stat. 2021 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.”

MDH is required to review and revise the Chemicals of High Concern list at least every three years. The Toxic Free Kids 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.

Through the Toxic Free Kids (TFK) program, MDH is working to identify and communicate the potential for hazardous chemical exposures which could be harmful to human health, particularly to vulnerable or susceptible populations, such as children and pregnant women.

The TFK program works on updating and reviewing 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. The 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.

This page provides links to information about lists that MDH is required to create, 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