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A northern Minnesota tribe is suing 3M and other companies, alleging they polluted its lakes, drinking water and wildlife with "forever chemicals." 

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe filed a federal lawsuit against 3M, Dupont, Chemours and other companies that manufactured, distributed and sold PFAS chemicals, or products containing them.

That includes firefighting foam used at the Bemidji Regional Airport, upstream from the Leech Lake reservation. 

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are known for their durability and don't break down in the environment. Exposure to some PFAS by consuming contaminated food or water has been linked to health problems, including liver and kidney issues, and cancer. 

The Leech Lake Reservation spans parts of four counties in northern Minnesota. Tribal members depend on hunting, fishing and cultivating wild rice for food, and for cultural and religious practices.

The lawsuit says the band's testing found “alarming” levels of PFAS in its natural resources, including water in two lakes — Cass Lake and Pike Bay — as well as in fish and deer. 

The band also has been supplying bottled water to a tribal school, Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig, since unsafe levels of the chemicals were discovered in its drinking water system in 2022.

Maplewood-based 3M did not immediately return a request for comment on the lawsuit.

 with 3M over PFAS contamination in the east Twin Cities metro area. 3M agreed to pay $850 million to provide safe drinking water and enhance natural resources.

 from 3M in 2021 to help pay for the cost of treating the city’s water supply for PFAS.

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Kirsti Marohn

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The lawsuit says the band's testing found "alarming" levels of PFAS in lake water, fish and deer on the Leech Lake Reservation. Tribal members depend on hunting, fishing and cultivating wild rice for food, and for cultural and religious practices.

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe sues 3M, other companies over 'forever chemicals' contamination

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