|  | Public Health Safety | Public Health

Common Prop 65 Chemicals

In 1986, the state of California passed a ballot initiative, Proposition 65, that requires the state to compile and maintain a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm. The proposition evolved into the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. The legislation also requires that businesses notify customers about significant levels of any chemical that has been added to the Proposition 65 list in their products. The following list includes common chemicals covered under Proposition 65 as of 2010.

  1. Lead

    • Lead, while once commonly used in plumbing and paint, is now known to cause severe developmental harm in children. The younger the child, the more severely lead can affect her development. Lead can be found in the paint of older homes and apartment buildings, though it is frequently buried under many layers of repainting with non-lead-based paint.

    Carbon Monoxide

    • Carbon monoxide exposure is connected with developmental harm and cancer. Carbon monoxide frequently appears on signs that Proposition 65 requires apartment managers to display warning tenants about potentially dangerous chemicals they could be exposed to in the course of living in the apartment. Carbon monoxide can be found in engine exhaust, so cars being driven in or around the complex necessitate this mention.

    Chlorine Dioxide

    • Chlorine dioxide is a chemical frequently found in pesticides. Many apartment complexes and places of business use pesticides to maintain the image of their properties. Because chlorine dioxide exposure has been linked to the occurrence of cancer, the use of chemical-based pesticides requires that business and apartment managers display a Proposition 65 warning sign appropriately.

    Pool Cleaners

    • Chlorine itself was not on the Proposition 65 list as of 2010. However, many substances that pool cleaning chemicals may expose people to, including chloroform and bromoform, require a Proposition 65 warning in most apartment complexes, hotels, public pools and any other place of business where chemical agents are used to clean an on-site pool.

    Building Materials

    • Many building materials, such as vinyl chloride monomers, benzene and ceramic fibers, have been linked to cancer and developmental issues in children. While these materials are commonly used throughout California, you will see a Proposition 65 warning about them in any building where they were used in the construction.

Public Health - Related Articles