Re: **OT: Prop 65 warning for supplements

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

Here is what I found about Prop 65 and vitamins, it relates to the state you

live in... Definitely the first time I've heard about this...

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/OtherCarcinogens/AtHome/cancer-warning\

-labels-based-on-californias-proposition-65

>>>>Cancer Warning Labels Based on California's Proposition 65

Labels warning that a product contains compounds that may cause cancer, birth

defects, or reproductive harm are now required on many household items sold in

California. But because many companies use the same labels for products sold in

other states, people anywhere in the US may see them and have questions. The

warning labels can be found on all sorts of products, such as electrical wires,

jewelry, padlocks, dishes, flashlights, and pesticides, to name just a few.

Background

California's Proposition 65, also called the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic

Enforcement Act, was enacted in November 1986. It was intended to protect

Californians from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other

reproductive harm. The Act also helped to inform people about exposures to

chemicals that are " known to the State of California to cause cancer or

reproductive toxicity. " A complete, up to date list of all these chemicals can

be found through a link on the Web site of the California Office of

Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) at:

www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/Newlist.html. Some of the substances can

affect the reproductive systems of men and/or women; while others are considered

to be possible causes of cancer. Scientists consider all of the cancer-related

substances to be at least probable carcinogens, meaning that they may possibly

cause cancer in some people. But not all of them are known carcinogens (known to

cause cancer) by groups and experts outside of the state of California. This

means that not every compound on the list as a possible cancer-causing substance

has been proven to the worldwide scientific community to actually cause cancer.

About the labels required by Proposition 65

Manufacturers make the decision to place a warning label based on their

knowledge of the types of chemicals in their products. By law, people must be

warned about any chemical on the California list, unless the level of exposure

would pose no significant cancer risk. The law defines " no significant risk " as

a substance that would cause no more than 1 extra case of cancer in 100,000

people who were exposed to the chemical over a 70-year lifetime. So a compound

can be left off the warning list if a person exposed to the substance at the

expected level for 70 years would have a 1 in 100,000 chance or less of getting

cancer due to that exposure. The law also has similar strict cutoff levels for

birth defects and reproductive harm.

Manufacturers are not required to provide the California Office of Environmental

Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) with any information about the products. That

means the OEHHA won't know which chemical the warning refers to, how exposure

could occur, or how much of the chemical a consumer is likely to be exposed to

-- and the amount of exposure is a critical determinant of risk. The OEHHA

cannot offer information to help the consumer figure out what the potential risk

is and how to avoid it. These kind of details can only come from the product's

manufacturer.

What the labels don't say

The Prop 65 labels only tell you that a product has something in it that may

cause cancer or affect reproduction. They don't say what the substance is, where

it is in the product, how you might be exposed to it, or how to reduce your

exposure.

Getting more information about what is in the product and what it means to you.

If you find a warning label on a product and want more information, you will

need to:

Find the name of the manufacturer by checking the package and any written

information that comes with the product. The contact information is often on or

in the package as well, but if it isn't, you may need to look it up online by

searching the manufacturer's name.

Call, email, or write to the manufacturer about that specific product to find

out what the potentially hazardous substance in the product is. You might also

want to ask what part of the product it's in.

Ask the manufacturer how a person might be exposed to it in this product. Some

common exposure routes include inhalation, contact with food, transfer to food

or drink via unwashed hands, or a baby or child putting the product in its

mouth. There are different routes for different substances.

Find out what they know about the known hazards of the substance that is in the

product. Is it a possible cause of cancer or might it cause reproductive harm?

Ask the manufacturer what measures you can take to reduce any risk of exposure

to the hazardous substance while using the product.

After you learn exactly what the substance is, you can usually find more

information about it from other sources as well. The OEHHA has fact sheets on

many of the chemicals on its web site. Sometimes you can find specific

information on their web site, such as news about jewelry that contains lead or

cadmium, or about kids and hand-to-mouth transfer.

Lead-containing wire

Below is a discussion of the labels on electrical wires such as computer cables,

power cords, and holiday lights. This background information and links near the

end of the document may be helpful to those with questions about labeled

products other than wire.

Why are my wires labeled with a cancer warning? The state of California keeps

its own list of cancer-causing substances. It requires manufacturers who know

that a consumer might be exposed to one of these substances from using their

products to label that product with a clear warning.

Will I be exposed to lead if I use this product, and if so, how? Many electrical

wires and cables have small amounts of lead in their outside insulation (surface

covering), which can rub off on the hands of people who touch the wires. People

can be exposed to lead by ingesting it, so if they eat or put their hands in

their mouths without washing up after handling these wires, they can take in

small amounts of lead. The bigger hazard is likely to be to toddlers and babies

who put wires in their mouths. Since babies and toddlers crawl around on the

floor, it can be challenging to keep them away from wires.

How can I avoid exposure (and protect children in the house)?

The most important point to avoid exposure is to wash your hands after handling

the electrical cords to avoid swallowing any lead that rubs off onto them.

Don't eat or feed children while handling lead-containing cords or stringing

holiday lights.

Since small children are more likely to put cords, fingers, and other objects in

their mouths, keep lead-containing wires out of their reach.

Children are more affected by lead (see ACS document, Lead), and should always

have their hands washed before handling food and eating.

Lawsuits filed in 2000 charged that electrical manufacturers were selling

covered electrical wires and cable products without labels warning about the

lead in their coverings. As part of the lawsuit settlement, manufacturers were

directed to start attaching warning labels to electrical cords as of September

3, 2003. The labels must provide " clear and reasonable warnings " about any

potential risk. People who buy new electrical products are often concerned when

they see these warning labels.

Labeling requirements

Most electrical cords and cable that contain more than 300 parts per million of

lead by weight in their covering ( " surface contact layer " ) are required to be

labeled if they are to be sold in the state of California (see also " Exempt

cords " below).

Label Statements. There are 3 possible label statements on lead-containing wire

or cable to be sold in California:

WARNING: This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of

California to cause [cancer, and] birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash

hands after handling.

WARNING: Handling the cord on this product will expose you to lead, a chemical

known to the State of California to cause [cancer, and] birth defects or other

reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

WARNING: The power cord on this product contains lead, a chemical known to the

State of California to cause [cancer, and] birth defects or other reproductive

harm. Wash hands after handling.

The word " cancer " (in brackets above) is optional, at the judgment of the

manufacturer. Many of them use it, possibly to avoid liability.

Carcinogenicity and exposure. ACS is aware of lead as a possible carcinogen (see

the document Lead for more on the hazards of lead exposure). However, there is

no way to assess risk or even level of exposure for any one person handling

electrical cords. If a cord is labeled as noted above, the wire is considered to

have more than 300 parts per million in its outside covering.

The amount of lead a person might absorb will also vary depending on what a

person does with the cord. People are exposed to lead by swallowing or breathing

it. In the case of cords, the lead is not powdered, so users are not at risk of

inhaling it. The most important point to avoid exposure is to wash your hands

after handling the cords. That way, you won't swallow any lead that may have

rubbed off. Children are more affected by lead, so keeping them away from

lead-containing wires can help avoid exposing them. Small children are more

likely to put cords, fingers, and other objects in their mouths.

Studies that looked at lead's potential carcinogenicity (ability to cause

cancer) looked at people with high exposure levels on a constant, daily basis.

This means that the effects of rare exposures to tiny amounts may not have any

observable effects. It may also help to know that, in case of larger exposures,

there are other symptoms of lead toxicity that would likely be a concern before

cancer occurred.

Exempt cords. Cords that are not often plugged and unplugged do not have to be

labeled. Cords with lead inside their covering, and cords that are in places

that make them inaccessible to consumers during ordinary use do not have to be

labeled. (But keep in mind that, other than wires, there are many other types of

materials that must be labeled by the manufacturer if they are sold in

California.)

Hazards on the job. For electrical cords which are not sold in California, but

are handled in a work setting, there is a different warning system. The US

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires detailed

information to be provided for employees. Known hazards must be listed on a

standard form called a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). (Many materials must

have MSDSs, including solids, liquids, and gases that people work with.

Supervisors or safety officers should be able to get you an MSDS for any

potentially hazardous material at work.)

More about cancer warning labels that mention California

Go to OEHHA's Web site for frequently asked questions and more information, at:

www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65.html.

Proposition 65 is reviewed in plain language at:

www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/background/p65plain.html.

For the link to a fully updated list of all the chemicals and compounds that are

known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity, go

to: www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/Newlist.html. You may have to scroll

down the page a bit to find the link.

Last Medical Review: 12/16/2011

Last Revised: 12/16/2011<<<<

>

> Try to order Healthy Origns Vitamin D & CoQ10 online and got a Prop. 65

warning about chemcial toxicity.  Does anyone know anything about this?  Is the

waring legitimate?  Thx.

>  

> Jen -

>