Key makers rattled by Minnesota metal ban
Key makers say they’ll be locked out of Minnesota’s market without an exemption from a new state ban on toxic metals.
Why it matters: A law meant to protect kids from harmful materials could also make it harder for Minnesotans to obtain or replace keys for homes, cars, boats and more.
State of play: The law, passed in 2023 as part of a broader spending bill, makes it illegal to import, manufacture, sell or offer keys and other items containing certain levels of lead and cadmium.
- Other products covered by the ban include toys, clothing, kitchenware and school and art supplies.
Context: The law’s backers say the goal is to reduce exposure to metals that can harm health and development, especially for children and the workers who make such products.
- Ingesting cadmium, which is an increasingly popular alternative for lead, can cause vomiting and organ damage, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
