St. Paul, Minn. – Earlier today, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced they are investigating possible community exposures to high levels of trichloroethylene (TCE), an industrial solvent used by a manufacturer in White Bear Township. Senator Jason Isaacson (DFL-Shoreview) released the following statement in response to news of the investigation:
“I am working with state agencies and communities in determining how this exposure occurred, and the public health threat it poses to community members in White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, and Gem Lake. My top priority is in finding out what the state can do to address any potential health effects that people may have been exposed to. We are taking this incident seriously and will be ensuring that any action to safeguard people’s health is taken immediately,” said Senator Isaacson.
The area of concern is a circle with a roughly 1 to 1.5-mile radius centered on the Water Gremlin Facility at 4400 Otter Lake Road. A map of the area of concern is available at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/water-gremlin-trichloroethylene-tce-area-concern. The facility is about a half-mile south of Hwy 96 on Otter Lake Road.
MDH and MPCA will be hosting a public information meeting to answer questions and provide updates:
MDH-MPCA Water Gremlin meeting
6 to 9pm, Thursday, Feb. 7th
Central Middle School 4857 Bloom Ave. White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Immediate questions:
MPCA or MDH at 651-201-4897 (leave a message for a call-back)
Or, email: health.hazard@state.mn.us.
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