Prop 65 Warning refers to a 1986 initiative approved by California voters. The law requires businesses to notify Californians if their products contain any of the 800 chemicals named by the State of California known to cause cancer or reproductive harm. These warnings appear at all gas stations, grocery stores and even places like Starbucks Coffee.
Do your products need a Prop 65 warning?
Proposition 65 warning is required. Proposition 65 does not ban the use of any of these chemicals, but does require warnings to consumers when exposures exceed the safe harbor levels. Separate from Proposition 65, phthalates in products are also subject to other federal and state laws. For example, both California and U.S. law regulate the
What is the Proposition 65 warning stuff all about?
What is Proposition 65? Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. These chemicals can be in the products that Californians purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment. By requiring that this information be
What are California Proposition 65 warning signs?
The old Proposition 65 warnings stated, “WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.”. A sample new warning looks like this: “ WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including arsenic, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer.
What do you need to know about Proposition 65?
Proposition 65 is a "right to know" law based on the notion that members of the public have a right to know when they are being exposed to listed carcinogens or reproductive toxins. The law was designed to allow individual consumers and their families to decide for themselves whether to assume the chemical exposure risks of purchasing ...
Should I worry about Prop 65 warning?
Should I worry about Prop 65? Probably not. The Prop 65 label is like a noisy alarm that rings equally loudly about smaller amounts of low-risk substances and huge amounts of potentially harmful chemicals. The labels don't say how much of the chemical is present, or how much it would really take to make a person sick.
Should I not buy furniture with Prop 65 warning?
A furniture product with a Proposition 65 warning suggests the product can expose you to levels of a listed chemical or chemicals that pose greater health risks than furniture that causes exposures to lower levels of listed chemicals.
What products are affected by Prop 65?
Products & PlacesAlcoholic Beverages.Cannabis and THC Products.Diesel Engine Exhaust.Food.Furniture Products.Passenger and Off-Highway Motor Vehicles.Petroleum Products.Recreational Vessels.More items...
Do all appliances have Prop 65 warning?
Very few ovens, stoves, or cooktops are Prop 65 certified. This is because many interior components of these appliances include mercury, lead, and even PTFE. Unless the product malfunctions, though, it's unlikely that end users will be exposed to these chemicals.
Do all couches have formaldehyde?
Couches are big and heavy, so to make them a bit lighter and cheaper to manufacture, companies often use engineered wood or manufactured wood such as plywood, MDF, particleboard, and even cardboard! These are almost always glued together with toxic chemicals such as phenol-formaldehyde (PF) or urea-formaldehyde (UF).
Does Proposition 65 apply to other states?
Are out-of-state manufacturers of retail products exempt from Proposition 65? No. The requirement to provide a consumer warning applies regardless of whether a business is located in California or out-of-state, as long as its products cause exposures to individuals in California.
Can you eat with Prop 65 warning?
A Prop 65 warning doesn't mean something shouldn't ever be eaten, but it lets the consumer decide how much and how often they want to expose themselves to these chemicals (3).
Does Ikea furniture have Prop 65 warning?
For example, any phthalates that are on the Prop 65 list are banned by IKEA's internal chemical usage policies, so you're not likely to see a Prop 65 on any IKEA products for that reason.
How many Prop 65 chemicals are there?
Proposition 65 requires the State to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. This list, which must be updated at least once a year, has grown to include over 800 chemicals since it was first published in 1987.
Why do ceiling fans have Prop 65 warning?
Simply put, the warning means that the manufacturer believes the product might contain any of the 800-plus chemicals that the State of California considers harmful. It does not mean that the labeled products themselves are necessarily harmful or are in violation of any safety standard.
Why do coffee machines have Prop 65 warning?
The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, better known as Proposition 65, requires warning labels for about 900 chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects.
Why does fridge have Prop 65 warning?
Why am I being warned about potential exposure to chemicals from household appliances? Some household appliances may expose you to chemicals that are on the Proposition 65 list. These chemicals can cause cancer and/or birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Should I be worried about formaldehyde in furniture?
Most people don't have any health problems from small amounts of formaldehyde in their homes. As levels increase, some people have breathing problems or irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, or skin from formaldehyde exposure in their homes.
Does Ikea furniture have Prop 65 warning?
For example, any phthalates that are on the Prop 65 list are banned by IKEA's internal chemical usage policies, so you're not likely to see a Prop 65 on any IKEA products for that reason.
Should I worry about wood dust in furniture?
Wood dust is on the Proposition 65 list because it can cause cancer. Exposure to wood dust in significant amounts on a recurring basis can cause cancers of the nose, throat, and sinuses.
How do you remove formaldehyde from furniture?
Removal of Lingering Odors If it still smells like formaldehyde in house, sprinkle baking soda over the upholstery to remove lingering odors. Sprinkle the baking soda liberally over the fabric and allow it to sit for about an hour, then vacuum it away with a vacuum cleaner containing a clean air or HEPA filter.
What Types of Chemicals Are on The ?
The list contains a wide range of naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals that include additives or ingredients in pesticides, common household...
What Does A Warning Mean?
If a warning is placed on a product label or posted or distributed at a workplace, a business, or in rental housing, the business issuing the warni...
Who Administers Proposition 65?
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) administers the Proposition 65 program. OEHHA, which is part of the California Environ...
Who Enforces Proposition 65?
The California Attorney General's Office (link is external) enforces Proposition 65. Any district attorney or city attorney (for cities whose popul...
What Are The Penalties For Violating Proposition 65?
Penalties for violating Proposition 65 by failing to provide notices can be as high as $2,500 per violation per day.
Where Can I Get More Information on Proposition 65?
If you have specific questions on the administration or implementation of Proposition 65, you can contact OEHHA's Proposition 65 program at P65.Que...
What is the purpose of Proposition 65?
What is Proposition 65? Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm .
When did Proposition 65 become law?
Proposition 65 became law in November 1986, when California voters approved it by a 63-37 percent margin. The official name of Proposition 65 is the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the content of this page, please click here.
Is Oehha a public record?
OEHHA is subject to the California Public Records Act and other laws that require the release of certain information upon request. If you submit this form, please be aware that your name and e-mail may be provided to third parties. By filling out the form you are waiving any right to privacy you may have in the information you provide.
What is the purpose of Proposition 65?
What is Proposition 65? Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Who administers Proposition 65?
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) administers the Proposition 65 program. OEHHA, which is part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), determines in many cases whether chemicals meet the scientific and legal requirements for placement on the Proposition 65 list, and administers regulations ...
When must a warning be given for listed chemicals?
By law, a warning must be given for listed chemicals unless the exposure is low enough to pose no significant risk of cancer or is significantly below levels observed to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Learn about how businesses can comply with Proposition 65.
What does a warning on a product label mean?
What does a warning mean? If a warning is placed on a product label or posted or distributed at a workplace , a business, or in rental housing, the business issuing the warning is aware or believes that it is exposing individuals to one or more listed chemicals.
What is the name of the law that passed in 1986?
The official name of Proposition 65 is the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986.
A 'Right to Know' Law That Came From Voters
The warnings are a result of California’s Proposition 65 —technically called the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act—a ballot initiative passed by voters of that state in 1986.
Still Better Than Nothing?
There have been some successes, however. An early one came in 1989, when a Prop 65 legal settlement led the manufacturer of Liquid Paper to agree to remove trichloroethylene, a carcinogen, from its original formula. OEHHA’s website touts other wins, like reducing arsenic in bottled water and removing toluene from many nail care products.
What is the Proposition 65 warning?
If you've gone shopping at all lately, you might have noticed a growing number of products bearing the Proposition 65 warning, which states that the product contains chemicals known to cause cancer in the state of California. Sounds concerning, right?
What to do if you see a Prop 65 warning?
The way we see it is this: If you see a Prop 65 warning on a product you might eat or put on your skin, take a closer look at it. Check the ingredients for anything that might be suspicious—beauty and personal care are a good example of this.
Why are there warnings on potato chips?
For example, because it's a "one size fits all" label, you'll find the warning on bags of potato chips because they contain acrylamide. You'll also find acrylamide in roasted veggies and coffee, along with chemotherapy and toxic waste.
How many chemicals are in Prop 65?
Prop 65's has grown from a small list of 85 chemicals since its inception to the current list of 800+ substances that are banned in products for sale in California.
What are warning labels for in California?
The act requires products sold in the state of California to include prominent warning labels if they contain any of a list of a extensive list of ingredients known to cause cancer, reproductive harm, or birth defects.
How much has Prop 65 reduced airborne emissions?
Compared to the national rate of ~50% , Prop 65 has been widely credited for the reduction.
Why do parking garages have warnings?
In the case of parking garages, its because they can contain concentrated amounts of car exhaust. You can find the warning on virtually everything, from clothing to electronics to suitcases and all alcohol.
What is Prop 65?
At its best, Prop 65 has resulted in changes in product formulation to remove or reduce potentially harmful chemicals, including in things like Wite-out and herbicides. Awareness raised by Prop 65 led Coke to change its use of 4-MEI, a potential carcinogen found in some caramel coloring.
Why was Prop 65 passed?
It was created in reaction to the discovery of dangerous pollutants contaminating the California water supply. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) says Prop 65 “requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.”
What is the yellow triangle on a Prop 65 label?
The law also changed the language and look of warnings, which now need to include a warning symbol (a yellow triangle with an exclamation point), name at least one of the chemicals in the product, and provide a link to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. Most companies provide the Prop 65 “clear and reasonable warning” by affixing sticker labels on products, though some establishments also post signs in, for example, the wine and liquor aisle at the store. Stephen Kam, director of advertising at Smith Corona, a printing company that sells compliance labels, says the company’s seen an increase in requests since the August 2018 change. “You need to put the exact chemical that is related to Prop 65 on your label. Many people just want a generic one, and don’t realize that doesn’t follow the law,” Kam says.
How many chemicals are on the Prop 65 list?
In 1988, when the warning requirements went into effect, the list included 235 chemicals, according to the Los Angeles Times. The list now has about 900 toxins and carcinogens on it. If a product that’s sold in California includes one of those 900 chemicals, it requires the Prop 65 warning label.
When did Oehha regulations take effect?
In August 2018 , new OEHHA regulations took effect, requiring websites that sell products that qualify for the warning to include these labels. This is why you may have recently seen more warnings on e-commerce sites like Amazon.
Is Prop 65 a federal regulation?
Although federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency already set levels for safe consumption of chemicals, Prop 65 goes above and beyond federal standards, sometimes setting different limits than the EPA does.
What to do if you see a Proposition 65 warning on an appliance?
If you see a Proposition 65 warning on an appliance and have questions about whether using it may expose you to Proposition 65-listed chemicals, contact the product manufacturer for more information.
What to do if you have questions about a household appliance with a Proposition 65 warning?
Contact the product manufacturer if you have questions about a household appliance with a Proposition 65 warning, and you want to learn how to reduce or avoid exposure to Proposition 65-listed chemicals.
What are the chemicals in Proposition 65?
Some household appliances may expose you to chemicals on the Proposition 65 list such as benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and some flame retardants and phthalates.
Why are some appliances on the Proposition 65 list?
Some household appliances may contain chemicals that are on the Proposition 65 list because they can cause cancer and/or birth defects or other reproductive harm. Proposition 65 requires businesses to determine if they must provide a warning about significant exposure to listed chemicals.
Is Oehha a public record?
OEHHA is subject to the California Public Records Act and other laws that require the release of certain information upon request. If you submit this form, please be aware that your name and e-mail may be provided to third parties. By filling out the form you are waiving any right to privacy you may have in the information you provide.
What is Prop 65?
In 1986, Californians voted in favor of the The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act , aka Prop 65. This act requires businesses "to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm… prohibits California businesses from knowingly discharging significant amounts of listed chemicals into sources of drinking water… and requires California to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm" (1).
How does Prop 65 protect us?
One of the ways Prop 65 protects us is by enforcement via lawsuits. If a product is shown to have chemical levels above the safe harbor level, or if Prop 65 chemicals are present in a product that does not have a warning label, a lawsuit can be filed against the company. There have been over than 5,800 notices of violation and the lawsuits have been "widely documented to reduce human exposure to listed chemicals by forcing reformulation of consumer products, process changes that reduce the presence of Prop 65 chemicals in food, adoption of air emissions controls at industrial facilities, and, to a lesser extent, reduction of toxic discharges to drinking water" (7). In order to comply with these notice of violations, companies must be able to innovate. In fact, Prop 65 litigation has "spurred the development of new technology, materials, or practices, inducing companies to reduce exposure to below levels of significance" (7).
Why Does My Food or Beverage Have a Prop 65 Warning?
Have you ever been at the grocery store, flipped around a product and saw a Prop 65 warning, and thought to yourself "Hmmmm… I remember reading about this, but what does it actually mean? Do I have to pay attention to it? Why is it on everything I like?!"
Can you eat Prop 65?
Much like sugar and saturated fats, products with a Prop 65 label should be consumed once in a while as a treat, instead of an everyday staple. Limiting how many Prop 65 chemicals you consume will reduce your exposure and hopefully reduce your risk of harmful health impacts. However, individuals that are more susceptible to health risks, like children or pregnant women, may want to completely avoid consuming products with a Prop 65 label since some of the chemicals on the list (like lead) have no known safe level of exposure.
