Tag: Proposition 65

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Proposition 65 Warnings in Food: Avoid These Chemicals

Grocery store aisle, showing shelves of processed foods in colorful packages on the left and right, with dairy coolers at the back.
Photo by Franki Chamaki on Unsplash.

Food should never have a Proposition 65 warning on it. However, some foods do have these warnings, so we should avoid them. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), “more than 10,000 food additives are allowed for use in food sold in the U.S.” Many of these additives are preservatives, while others are used for color, shine, or stabilization of artificial flavors.1

Following is a list of the types of substances to avoid. Remember, all the substances listed cause cancer, developmental problems in children, or reproductive issues.

Acrylamides

French fries on brown paper with a container of ketchup and parsley sprinkled across.
Photo by Pixzolo Photography on Unsplash.

Acrylamides form in french fries, potato chips, other fried and baked snack foods, roasted asparagus, canned sweet potatoes and pumpkin, canned black olives, roasted nuts, roasted grain-based coffee substitutes, prune juice, breakfast cereals, crackers, some cookies, bread crusts, and toast. It is a chemical formed during cooking or processing at high temperatures (frying, roasting, grilling, baking) since it converts sugars and other naturally occurring substances in these foods to acrylamide. Boiling and steaming foods do not create acrylamides.2

“When you fry or cook potatoes and certain other foods at high temps, a substance called acrylamide forms through a chemical reaction between the sugars and amino acids. An analysis of 32 studies found that among non-smokers, dietary acrylamide consumption was associated with an increase in endometrial and ovarian cancers. It’s what makes potato chips and french fries taste so damn good. But…is it worth the danger?” -Darin Olien, Fatal Conveniences3

Arsenic

Rice, rice cereal, some edible seaweeds, seafood, poultry, and mushrooms can absorb arsenic from the environment. According to the Food and Drug Administration, “arsenic levels are higher in certain soils and rocks and where arsenic-containing pesticides were once used on food crops or from the current use of those pesticides on non-food crops, and pollution from mining, fracking, and coal-fired power plants.”4 The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the main source of arsenic contamination is polluted groundwater used for drinking, crop irrigation, and food preparation.5 Chronic arsenic poisoning often leads to cancer.

BPA (Bisphenol A)

Blue tub of cans of Coca Cola, Diet Coke, and bottled water on ice.
Image by Kenny Holmes from Pixabay.

BPA (Bisphenol A) is a chemical that manufacturers use in plastic linings in cans (both the type for vegetables and beverages), jar lids, polycarbonate plastic bottles (#7 resin code), and bottle caps. It leaches into food. It is an endocrine disruptor and has been linked to developmental and health problems in children (such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)); anxiety and depression; early puberty in girls; diabetes; obesity; and heart disease.6

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

Plate of charcuteries and cured meats such as salami and prosciutto, with cheese and pickled vegetables. Two silver forks at left.
Image by Gabriele from Pixabay.

BHA is a preservative used in cured and preserved meats and other foods. The substance is also found in certain rubber, plastics, and glues. Both the National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer list it as a suspected carcinogen. Further, “the European Union classifies BHA as an endocrine disruptor because of its ability to lower testosterone and thyroid-hormone thyroxine.”7

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

Red box of Cap'n Crunch cereal with the Captain eating a bowl of the cereal on the box design.

BHT is a preservative used in cereals like Cap’n Crunch and Apple Jacks. It causes hormone disruption and harms the reproductive system. The European Food Safety Authority indicated that it may disrupt endocrine function by causing thyroid changes and affecting development.8

Cadmium

Cadmium is in certain fish, shellfish, organ meats, mushrooms, oats, root crops, and some leafy vegetables grown in cadmium-rich soils.9 A study from 2023 found that age groups 6–24 months and 24–60 months old were the most exposed to cadmium in foods. “American infants and young children of these age groups who regularly consumed rice, spinach, oats, barley, potatoes, and wheat had mean [cadmium] exposures exceeding maximum tolerable intake level was set by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).”10 It can cause renal failure and is a human carcinogen.

Flame Retardants

Flame retardants, particularly PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers), are known carcinogens that can also cause brain defects and hormone interference. These harmful chemicals are found in some farm-raised fish. Additionally, similar chemicals are used in certain ovenproof or microwavable plastic trays and plastic water bottles, which can lead to the leaching of chemicals into food and beverages. Several studies have documented the migration of chemicals from food packaging to food.

Lead

Theo Chocolate bar packaging
Many brands of chocolate, even organic, have high levels of lead and cadmium.

Lead is found in certain dietary supplements, balsamic vinegars, and imported spices such as turmeric and chili. Lead, along with cadmium, is also found in many types of chocolate. Exposure to lead is particularly harmful to children’s development, causing issues with hearing, speech, brain and nervous system damage, slowed growth, and learning and behavioral problems.11

Mercury

Seafood counter, many types of seafood on a counter of ice.
Photo by Jonathan Noack on Unsplash.

Mercury is in many types of fish: king mackerel, shark, tilefish (from the Gulf of Mexico), swordfish, marlin, bigeye tuna, bluefin tuna, and orange roughy. Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury, but the largest fish accumulate the most in their bodies. Mercury causes neurological and behavioral disorders such as tremors, insomnia, memory loss, neuromuscular effects, headaches, and cognitive and motor dysfunctions.12 Refer to Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch for the safest seafood, linked under Additional Resources.

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals in plastics that can leach into food and beverages, especially when heated. They have been found in dairy products, meats, seafood, fruits and vegetables, and fast foods.13 Phthalates are hormone-disrupting chemicals that have been linked to many reproductive, developmental, and endocrine-related health problems.

PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances)

When waterways or environments are contaminated with PFAS, also known as “Forever Chemicals,” they can contaminate the food supply through plants and animals that are grown, raised, or processed in those polluted areas. Additionally, PFAS can migrate into foods through food packaging, certain types of take-out containers, food processing, and Teflon or nonstick cookware. This chemical family (PFAS, PFOA, PFC, etc.) can lead to issues such as altered metabolism and body weight regulation, increased risk of childhood obesity, reduced immune system function, and cancer.14

Potassium Bromate

Photo by Matthew Moloney on Unsplash.

Potassium bromate is added to the flour of many packaged noodles, baked goods, bread, tortillas, and other foods made with flour.15 It is a possible human carcinogen according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Multiple countries have banned it, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, and the European Union – but not the United States. The substance is also used in industrial cleaning agents, bombs, and photo-developing solutions.16

Propyl Parabens

Stack of flour tortillas on a cloth napkin, and a fork and spoon at left.
Image by Martin Diaz from Pixabay.

Propyl parabens are a preservative in processed foods like pastries and tortillas. But they’re also found in batteries, floor cleaner, and glue. When present in food, this chemical acts as an endocrine disruptor and can lead to developmental and reproductive harm.17

Styrene

Take-out in polystyrene containers
Image by albedo20 on Flickr, Creative Commons license (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Styrene and benzene from “Styrofoam” polystyrene take-out packaging can leach into food and beverages, especially with hot or reheated foods. Styrene is a known carcinogen and exposure increases the risk of leukemia and lymphoma and is a neurotoxin. Benzene is also a known carcinogen. Avoid take-out containers by bringing your own metal or glass leftover containers.

Synthetic Food Dyes

Caucasian person's hand holding a red bag of Skittles.
Photo by Jonathan J. Castellon on Unsplash.

Manufacturers use synthetic food dyes in many foods and beverages. And especially candy! But these same colorants are also used in household cleaners, wood stains, pesticides, and even blue jeans. While not all food dyes are toxic and not all are on the Proposition 65 list, we know that certain dyes are carcinogenic. Others affect development and cause behavioral difficulties in children.18

Avoid Toxic Ingredients

Avoid the ingredients listed above, as they are the most toxic. If any food has a Proposition 65 warning, either put it back on the shelf or return it. No food should contain that type of warning.

Remember to avoid processed food as much as possible. Try to limit your consumption of seafood and meat, and minimize your use of food packaging. Processed foods include crackers, bread, canned goods, frozen or packaged meals, cereal, etc. In general, the less processed the food, the better it is for you. Always check the ingredients list. If it contains a chemical-sounding word or something you can’t pronounce, it’s best to avoid eating it.

I hope this helps! Thank you for reading, please share and subscribe!

“It’s better to pay the grocer than the doctor. And smarter to trust the farmer than the pharmacist.” -Darin Olien, Fatal Conveniences19

Additional Resource:

Website, Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.

Footnotes:

  1. Article, “Common food additives in Cap’n Crunch and Apple Jacks cereal may harm human health,” ewg.org, October 6, 2021. ↩︎
  2. Page, “Acrylamide,” Proposition 65 website, Updated February 2019. ↩︎
  3. Book, Fatal Conveniences: The Toxic Products and Harmful Habits That Are Making You Sick―and the Simple Changes That Will Save Your Health, by Darin Olien, Harper, New York, 2023. ↩︎
  4. Page, “Arsenic in Food,” Food and Drug Administration, accessed September 16, 2024. ↩︎
  5. Page, “Arsenic,” World Health Organization, December 7, 2022. ↩︎
  6. Page, “Bisphenol-A (BPA)/Bisfenol A (el BPA),” Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, accessed September 16, 2024. ↩︎
  7. Article, “Common food additives in Cap’n Crunch and Apple Jacks cereal may harm human health,” ewg.org, October 6, 2021. ↩︎
  8. Article, “Common food additives in Cap’n Crunch and Apple Jacks cereal may harm human health,” ewg.org, October 6, 2021. ↩︎
  9. Page, “Foods,” Proposition 65 website, May 2021. ↩︎
  10. Article, “Dietary exposure to cadmium from six common foods in the United States,” Food and Chemical Toxicology, Volume 178, August 2023. ↩︎
  11. Page, “Lead Exposure Symptoms and Complications,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 10, 2024. ↩︎
  12. Fact Sheet, “Mercury and health,” World Health Organization, March 31, 2017. ↩︎
  13. Page, “Phthalates,” toxicfreefuture.org, accessed September 19, 2024. ↩︎
  14. Page, “Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS),” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, update September 3, 2024. ↩︎
  15. Page, “This cancer-causing chemical may be lurking in your bread,” ewg.org, May 4, 2022. ↩︎
  16. Article, “From baguettes to bombs: Surprising industrial uses of common food chemicals,” ewg.org, June 6, 2024. ↩︎
  17. Article, “From baguettes to bombs: Surprising industrial uses of common food chemicals,” ewg.org, June 6, 2024. ↩︎
  18. Article, “From baguettes to bombs: Surprising industrial uses of common food chemicals,” ewg.org, June 6, 2024.  ↩︎
  19. Book, Fatal Conveniences: The Toxic Products and Harmful Habits That Are Making You Sick―and the Simple Changes That Will Save Your Health, by Darin Olien, Harper, New York, 2023. ↩︎

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Products with Proposition 65 Warnings

Glowing green chemistry bottle with toxic symbols on it, green background.
Image by John Voo on Flickr, Creative Commons license (CC BY 2.0).

In my last article, I explained what Proposition 65 is, how it helps, and the controversy around the law. It is shocking to discover that so many products have toxic chemicals that cause reproductive harm, developmental problems, and cancer.

Take your time reading and absorbing the following information. Refer to “What is Proposition 65?” and additional resources listed below.

Athletic Equipment

A woman and a dog sitting in a tent facing and admiring the mountain and lake in the backround.
Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash.

Manufacturers use toxic flame retardants in gymnastic equipment and camping tents. Proposition 65 warnings are sometimes on golf clubs, fishing sinkers, and bicycles because brass or other components contain lead.

Baby & Children’s Items

Baby room: baby in bassinet, crib in back, and a dresser, blue wall.
Photo by babywo on Flickr, Creative Common license (CC BY 2.0).

Let me be clear: No baby items should ever have Proposition 65 warnings. But since they do, parents and guardians must be extra vigilant. Manufacturers make products made with polyurethane foam, which they often treat with flame retardants. These include some bassinets, booster seats, infant carriers, child safety seats (car seats), nap mats, nursing pillows, playpens, and strollers.

Manufacturers used to use bisphenol A (BPA) in many plastic baby items, such as bottles and nipples, but allegedly use safer ingredients now. Choose glass baby bottles over plastic.

Phthalates, DBP, and DEHP have been found in all brands of diapers. One study found formaldehyde and glyphosate (aka Round-Up) in them. Diapers also contain endocrine disruptors, from the plastics in diapers, meaning they alter human hormone levels.1

Phthalates can also be found in the following products: Plastic lunchboxes, binders, backpacks, storage cases, rainwear, handbags, belts, footwear, and other artificial leather items made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and plastic food packaging materials.2

Infant and children’s clothing can contain chemicals just as adult clothes do.

And though no one knows why, some manufacturers still use lead in some toys and baby bibs.

Build and Grow set from Lowes, projects made for children to put together.
Build and Grow set from Lowes, projects marketed for children to put together. But it has a Proposition 65 warning on the back! Photo by Marie Cullis.
Proposition 65 warning from the back if the Build and Grow set from Lowes.
Photo by Marie Cullis.

Building & Construction Materials

Large two story home under construction, plywood sides (no siding), man standing in open garage bays, blue sky background.
Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay.

Formaldehyde is present in insulation materials such as foam and fiberglass insulation, as well as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard.

Manufacturers use toxic flame retardants in carpeting and carpet padding.

Lead was commonly used in paint before the U.S. banned it in 1978. It was also used in plumbing pipes and fixtures. Be aware if your home is older than 1978.

Manufacturers used asbestos because it was strong and heat resistant (a good insulator). They used it in building materials, insulation, fireproofing materials, brakes, cloth, paper, cement, plastic, and other materials.

Vinyl chloride is used in window blinds and coverings.

Vinyl flooring contains phthalates and other VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Clothing

Mustard yellow shirt with TJ Maxx tags, and a Proposition 65 warning.
Proposition 65 warning on a shirt from T.J. Maxx. Image found on bikeforums.net.

Manufacturers use formaldehyde and toxic flame retardants in some clothing, even children’s clothing. They also sometimes use PFAS/PFOAs in clothing items, as well as bisphenol A (BPA) in sports bras and athletic wear. Those chemicals give clothing properties such as stain-resistant, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle-free. As a rule, steer clear of that type of clothing.

Manufacturers use lead and cadmium in purses, shoes, and other accessories. Any clothing item or accessory with the following features also may have lead, cadmium, or phthalates: Polyurethane products, PVC or vinyl parts, chains, zippers, buttons, snaps, rivets, clasps, screen printed elements, metallic yarns, plastic polymers, metallic coatings, imitation rhinestones, paint and surface coatings, and D-Rings.3

Cookware

Non stick type of frying pan with sunny-side up egg in it, resting on a cutting board with a slice of buttered toast, next to a cup of milk and tomatoes.
Non-stick cookware is not safe and can leach chemicals into your food. Image by StockSnap from Pixabay.

Non-stick cookware, commonly known as Teflon, often contains PFOA, PFAS, and PFOS. The media has labeled these chemicals as “forever chemicals.” Allegedly, the newest versions of non-stick cookware don’t contain PFAS. Manufacturers now use PTFE, which they advertise as safer. However, that’s what those same companies told us for decades about PFAS so it’s difficult to believe them. Please don’t use these! Invest in stainless steel cookware or cast iron pans.

Electrical/Electronic Items

Dollar General packaging for a power surge protector, with the warning label from the back.
Dollar General power surge protector packaging. Photo by Marie Cullis.
Proposition 65 warning label on back.
Proposition 65 warning label on back. Photo by Marie Cullis.

Proposition 65 warnings are found on power cords, surge protectors, and lighting products because their components contain heavy metals including lead, nickel, phthalates in PVC coverings on some wires and cables, and/or other chemicals such as ethylene glycol.

Food

Chip bags in various colors, including Cheetos, Ruffles, Lays, with canned cheese, salsa, and Pringles in the background.
Photo by Ishaq Robin on Unsplash.

This topic warrants its own article, so please read that next!

Furniture

Golden retriever dog on a whiye bed with blankets, a laptop, and sidetable and lamp in background.
Image by Andrei Cioarba from Pixabay.

This is a big one, as most modern furniture contains additives and chemicals. Furniture in your home, for example, can off-gas toxins for a long time, which means you are constantly breathing them in and/or absorbing them through your skin. These chemicals include formaldehyde; flame retardants in upholstered furniture and mattresses, especially those made with polyurethane foam treated with flame retardants; PFOA, PFAS, and PFOS in stain-resistant upholstered furniture; phthalates; and lead in products with imitation leather.

“Our furniture’s upholstery and the lumber beneath it have probably been dosed with fire retardants and other chemicals. That sounded like a good idea when smoking was common, and people had the unhealthy habit of dozing off on the sofa with a lit cigarette. We could’ve just resolved to be more careful. But instead, we clamored for upholstery and even pajamas that had been treated with flame retardant chemicals, without first checking to find out whether those chemicals caused health problems of their own.” -Darin Olien, Fatal Conveniences4

If you can afford it, buy furniture and mattresses certified as chemical or toxin-free. You can also purchase furniture secondhand, as it will have already off-gassed some.

Hand Sanitizers

Pump bottle of hand sanitizer with a whoite clapboard background.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash.

Manufacturers sometimes use methanol, a poisonous and flammable liquid, in hand sanitizers to lower production costs, and fail to include it in the list of ingredients. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a list of approximately 600 brands of hand sanitizer to avoid because of methanol.5

Household Appliances

Hamilton Beach microwave box, showing microwave and a Proposition 65 warning to the right.
Hamilton Beach microwave with a Proposition 65 warning. Photo by Marie Cullis.

I often don’t know why appliances have this warning, but every microwave and dishwasher we’ve purchased in the last 10 years has had a Proposition 65 warning. Manufacturers use heavy metals, flame retardants, and chemicals in their production. The American Cancer Society recommends asking the manufacturer about the specific product.

The Proposition 65 website indicates that “it is difficult to generalize about chemical exposures from household appliances because each appliance is different.”6

 

Screenshot of a Frigidaire dishwasher and the description with the Proposition 65 warning.
Frigidaire dishwasher
Screenshot of a stainless steel and blac dishwasher with warning.
Description showing Proposition 65 warning, from Lowes.com.

Many people say not to worry about the warnings on appliances. “MOST appliances carry the Prop 65 California warning. This is because the interior of the product may contain things like lead or other heavy metal materials that are necessary for them to work properly. While they are present in the appliance, they are not actually exposed to you while you use the appliance properly. But if you were to use the product in a way that was taking it completely apart or in an improper way, you could potentially be exposed.”7

I remain skeptical.

Household cleaners & solvents

Photo of blue cleaner in a spray bottle with a white roll of paper towels to its left.
Photo by Crystal de Passillé-Chabot on Unsplash.

Chemical-based cleaners and solvents have many toxic ingredients, so know what you use in your home. Better yet, use a homemade cleaner!

“All those ultra-powerful, all purpose cleaning products that promise to kill germs and mold, what else do you think they might be killing?” -Darin Olien, Fatal Conveniences8

Household Items

Gray and white styled livingroom with glass doors that show a landscape in background. Wood floors, 2 couches, area rug, and curtains, lamp on gray ceiling.
Photo by Backbone Visuals on Unsplash.

Manufacturers use formaldehyde in drapery, linens, and upholstery. They also use flame retardants in drapery and some bedding; lead in vinyl items, such as shower curtains and imitation leather; and make memory foam from polyurethane, which off-gasses volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that we inhale. That ‘new’ smell from vinyl shower curtains or other household items is the chemicals off-gassing.

“Formaldehyde, benzadine, parathion, and mercury are all part of the manufacturing process of the cotton used in sheets and bedding, and can potentially remain part of the fabric. Blended fabric sheets and other bedding, meaning cotton-polyester mixtures, are still partly petroleum-based with all the toxicity that comes with that. And the cotton for standard-issued sheets was grown with pesticides, meaning that they’re harmful to the environment and not so great for you, either. Wrinkle-free sheets have the same dangers as no-iron clothing does. The resins used in their manufacture contain formaldehyde, which can cause dermatitis, throat irritation, and nausea. But that’s not all…It’s better to live with wrinkled sheets, or learn to iron.” -Darin Olien, Fatal Conveniences9

Vinyl gloves, tubing, and garden hoses often contain phthalates and PVC. Don’t let your children drink from the hose!

Medical

Close-up of medical tubing for an IV, clear plastic, green clip.
Photo by Marcelo Leal on Unsplash.

Phthalates from PVC can leach into medical devices and equipment, including blood and intravenous solution bags, tubing for dialysis, feeding tubes, oxygen masks, and surgical gloves.

Paint, adhesives, and varnishes

Open purple paint can with a paintbrush lying on top, dipped in purple paint.
Image by cwizner from Pixabay.

Formaldehyde is in many types of paint, adhesives, and varnishes; methanol is used as a solvent and an ingredient in some as well (sometimes called “methyl alcohol” or “wood alcohol”).10

Phthalates and VOCs exist in inks, pigments, adhesives, sealants, paints, and lacquers. Some artist materials contain these ingredients, lead, and other heavy metals.

Paper Products

Three rolls of white paper towels.

Manufacturers use formaldehyde in some paper products, such as grocery bags and paper towels.11

Personal Care & Beauty Products

Generic beauty products in black, pink, and clear containers.
Photo by Kier in Sight Archives on Unsplash.

Manufacturers use formaldehyde in hair smoothing, hair straightening products, and nail polish. They use lead in cosmetics and hair dyes. Some beauty and skin care products contain synthetic progesterone. Phthalates are in some personal care products, including nail polishes, perfumes, and other products containing fragrances. In fact, ‘fragrance’ is often a cover for the term phthalates. Look for products rated well in EWG’s Skin Deep database (linked under Additional Resources below). Don’t solely rely on a company’s website to determine the safety of a cosmetic product. Ulta uses the term ‘clean ingredients’ on products rated poorly with EWG for toxicity.

Pharmaceuticals & Dietary Supplements

White pill bottle lying on its side with blue, green, aqua, and white pills spilling out. Yellow background.
Photo by Etactics Inc on Unsplash.

Heavy metals in the soil and water, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, accumulate in plants used in drugs and supplements. Also, “Benzene, while not in the final product, is used in the manufacture of drugs.”12

Many nitrosamines are carcinogenic, and were found in commonly prescribed drugs for hypertension, heartburn, and type 2 diabetes, and prompted numerous Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalls in recent years.13

Smoking

Lit cigarette with orange filter on white background with smoke.
Image by vicky gharat from Pixabay.

Tobacco smoke, such as from cigarettes, is full of chemicals and additives. Formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, lead, acetaldehyde, acrylamide, arsenic, 1,3‑butadiene, cadmium, carbon monoxide, hexavalent chromium, mercury, nickel, nicotine, and styrene.14

“People are exposed to substantially more acrylamide from tobacco smoke than from food.”15

Please note that e-cigarette and vaping aerosols contain Proposition 65 chemicals as well. These include propylene glycol (also used in antifreeze and paint solvents); acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, both carcinogens; acrolein, an herbicide that can cause irreversible lung damage; diacetyl, a chemical linked to lung disease; diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in antifreeze, heavy metals such as nickel, tin, lead, and cadmium; and benzene.16

Stay away from these.

Vehicles

Bird's eye view of a busy city street packed with cars, businesses, and an overpass, with skyscrapers in the background.
Photo by Connor Williams on Unsplash.

Unfortunately, manufacturers use tons of chemicals in our vehicles too. Worse, heat exacerbates chemical off-gassing. There are flame retardants in vehicle seats and child safety seats. Manufacturers use plasticizers containing phthalates in vehicle upholstery and interiors to provide flexibility to plastics.

The fuel to run vehicles is full of chemicals too. Benzene is in gasoline and petroleum products and is released through vehicle emissions. Toluene is also present in petroleum products.

Then there’s engine exhaust, which contains multiple toxic chemicals, including benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, ethylbenzene, and 1,3-butadiene. This includes all vehicles, recreational boats, generators, and landscaping equipment (including lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws).17

“More than 40 chemicals listed for cancer are present in diesel engine exhaust.”18

Be Aware

California Proposition 65 Warning

I say ‘Be Aware’ because you might come across products that are not sold in California but contain the same toxic chemicals. Worse, sometimes companies that sell products nationally or internationally might only label products shipped to California, even though all their products contain the same ingredients.

Remember, one product’s small amount of harmful ingredients is not the problem. These toxins surround us in our homes, in our showers, in the workplace, and in our schools. If we encountered a single chemical occasionally, it likely would not pose a significant threat. But we are constantly bombarded with these chemicals in every facet of our lives. This is why Proposition 65 warnings can help us – we can know just how many of our products are exposing us to toxins.

“We live in well-built, completely insulated containers filled with furniture and furnishings made using chemicals that have been proven to be harmful to our health. We keep our houses clean and germ-free with products made from toxic chemicals capable of causing everything from rashes to kidney disease. Your sofa: Phthalates. Your bed sheets: formaldehyde. Your Tupperware containers, your laundry detergent –  bad stuff at every turn.” -Darin Olien, Fatal Conveniences19

I hope this is helpful information. In my next article, I’ll cover Proposition 65 ingredients in food. Thank you for reading, please share and subscribe!

 

Additional Resources:

List, “Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens or Reproductive Toxicants,” Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), State of California, December 29, 2023.

“Fact Sheets,” Proposition 65 website.

Database, EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics database.

Footnotes:

  1. Book, Fatal Conveniences: The Toxic Products and Harmful Habits That Are Making You Sick―and the Simple Changes That Will Save Your Health, by Darin Olien, Harper, New York, 2023. ↩︎
  2. Page, “Phthalates,” Proposition 65 website, September 2017. ↩︎
  3. Page, “Distributors’ Guide to Navigating Proposition 65,” International Enviroguard website, October 27, 2021. ↩︎
  4. Book, Fatal Conveniences: The Toxic Products and Harmful Habits That Are Making You Sick―and the Simple Changes That Will Save Your Health, by Darin Olien, Harper, New York, 2023. ↩︎
  5. Page, “FDA updates on hand sanitizers consumers should not use,” FDA website, accessed July 28, 2024. ↩︎
  6. Fact Sheet, “Household Appliances,” OEHHA, updated July 2022. ↩︎
  7. Blog Article, “Understand the Proposition 65 California Warning for Your Healthy Home,” healthyhouseontheblock.com, May 14, 2023. ↩︎
  8. Book, Fatal Conveniences: The Toxic Products and Harmful Habits That Are Making You Sick―and the Simple Changes That Will Save Your Health, by Darin Olien, Harper, New York, 2023. ↩︎
  9. Book, Fatal Conveniences: The Toxic Products and Harmful Habits That Are Making You Sick―and the Simple Changes That Will Save Your Health, by Darin Olien, Harper, New York, 2023. ↩︎
  10. Page, “Methanol,” Proposition 65 website, July 2024. ↩︎
  11. Page, “Facts About Formaldehyde,” Environmental Protection Agency, Updated March 6, 2024. ↩︎
  12. Page, “Benzene,” Proposition 65 website, Updated May 2021. ↩︎
  13. Article, “Estimated Cancer Risks Associated with Nitrosamine Contamination in Commonly Used Medications,” Li K, Ricker K, Tsai FC, Hsieh CJ, Osborne G, Sun M, Marder ME, Elmore S, Schmitz R, and Sandy MS. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021 Sep 8;18(18):9465. ↩︎
  14. Page, “Tobacco Smoke,” Proposition 65 website, June 2017. ↩︎
  15. Page, “Acrylamide and Cancer Risk,” National Cancer Institute, December 5, 2017. ↩︎
  16. Page, “What’s in an E-Cigarette?” American Lung Association, updated May 31, 2023. ↩︎
  17. Page, “Gasoline Engine Exhaust,” Proposition 65 website, March 2019. ↩︎
  18. Page, “Diesel Engine Exhaust,” Proposition 65 website, Updated July 2024. ↩︎
  19. Book, Fatal Conveniences: The Toxic Products and Harmful Habits That Are Making You Sick―and the Simple Changes That Will Save Your Health, by Darin Olien, Harper, New York, 2023. ↩︎

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What Is Proposition 65?

Last updated on August 31, 2024.

Proposition 65 warning label in English and Spanish, yellow triangle with exclamation point at left and orange Warning label on right above text.

Almost every time I see a Proposition 65 warning label on a product I’m considering purchasing, I don’t buy it. My spouse often asks, “Is it really a big deal?” I say, yes, it means the product has chemicals known in the State of California to cause cancer.

If they cause cancer in California, they cause cancer everywhere.

We’ve had friends over the years who had lived in California. When we asked about Proposition 65, they shrugged and indicated that California’s just ‘overly cautious.’ I quietly disagreed. I didn’t know enough to debate the matter. So I decided I’d learn about it.

Google terrain map screenshot of California and Nevada.
Courtesy of Google Maps.

“California tends to be the pioneer of protecting consumers from harmful chemicals in everyday products.” – Darin Olein, Fatal Conveniences1

Cancer on the Rise

As I was writing this article, a new study came out indicating that Generation X and Millennials have a higher risk of getting certain types of cancer when compared to earlier generations. “Researchers from the American Cancer Society (ACS) studied 34 of the most common cancers. They found that cancer incidence rates continued to rise in progressively younger generations in 17 of the cancers, including breast, pancreatic, and gastric cancers.”2

While that study does not point to a cause, Generation X and Millenials have been exposed to far more chemicals than previous generations. We know many chemicals are linked to cancer,3 so overexposure to those chemicals is an obvious explanation.

Read on to learn how Proposition 65 warnings can help us.

Diamond shaped sign with skull and crossbones, "Poison", all black and white.
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay.

What is Proposition 65?

It is a right-to-know law. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), which administers the Proposition 65 program, defines it as such: “Proposition 65, officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986…requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.” These warnings can be in products, homes, workplaces, or the environment. It also protects the state’s drinking water sources from being contaminated with these chemicals.4

“A Proposition 65 warning is telling you that using a product or entering a location can expose you to a significant amount of a chemical that causes cancer, harmful effects on a developing baby, or other harmful effects on reproductive health.”5 

What else does the legislation do?

Proposition 65 requires California to publish a list of these chemicals which must be updated annually. It includes over 1000 chemicals.6 

For this list, California recognizes the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization), the U.S. National Toxicology Program, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as authorities on carcinogens. The State of California can also make its own determinations about specific substances. As the American Cancer Society notes, “This means that not every chemical on the list has been proven to the worldwide scientific community to actually cause cancer in people.”7 

But, if certain chemicals are suspected of causing cancer in California, that’s good enough for me to avoid them.

The List

More than one thousand chemicals make a very long list. The Proposition 65 website has a page called “Fact Sheets” that lists chemical groups, rather than individual chemicals, making the risks easier to read and understand. However, it is not nearly as comprehensive so I recommend viewing both. I’ve linked them under Additional Resources below.

The list includes toxic substances such as lead, asbestos, and hexavalent chromium; industrial solvents; and toxins like carbon monoxide and tobacco smoke. It even includes BPA (Bisphenol A), a toxic substance used in plastic and metal can linings; as well as Styrene, used in many polystyrene take-out containers we incorrectly but commonly call Styrofoam.

White polystyrene container with food sitting open, against a white background.
Photo by Vitalis Arnoldus on Flickr, Creative commons license (CC BY 2.0).

Proposition 65 Labels

Product labels can be unclear as they only indicate if a product contains chemicals that may cause cancer or reproductive problems. They are required to list one specific chemical in the warning. However, they are not required to list every chemical, their amounts, or how a person may be exposed to them.

“By law, a warning must be given for listed chemicals unless 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.”8 

Products Sold in Other States

Products sold outside of California are not required to have a warning label even if they contain those toxic chemicals. “Some companies that sell products all over the United States only label those sent to California, even though all their products contain the same compounds.”9 Online sellers to all states must include warnings on their products, such as those listed on Walmart, Amazon, Lowe’s, and others.

Changes Brought by Proposition 65

Many sources don’t find the Proposition 65 warnings helpful, including Wirecutter, the consumer product review arm of The New York Times. I’ve often found their reviews and recommendations helpful because they independently test and review many products. But even they say Proposition 65 isn’t a big deal to worry about because the labels don’t indicate the amount or methods of exposure. However, they do acknowledge that the law has brought change to a variety of consumer products. “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.”10

The law has successfully raised awareness. Here are some of other the changes it has helped with:

“Proposition 65 has helped reduce or eliminate the use of lead in a wide variety of products, including hair dye, toothpaste, ceramic ware, foil caps on wine bottles, children’s jewelry, and even some types of cookies and candy. Levels…with acrylamide levels in major brands of potato chips and french fries. Proposition 65 has also led to the removal of several chemicals harmful to the developing baby during pregnancy from many nail care products, and has encouraged manufacturers of paint strippers to develop alternatives that do not contain methylene chloride or NMP.”11 

Controversy

Others argue that Proposition 65 is overly cautious, while others believe it is too broad and meaningless. In fact, on a lot of forums, many people completely disregard the warnings. Some say they are on ‘everything in California;’ others indicate that they just don’t think it’s a big deal. One person wrote, “California puts that on literally everything, they’re idiots.” On another forum where someone asked why a golf towel has a Proposition 65 warning, another responded: “We live in an age where it wouldn’t be out of place to put a warning sign on a water bottle saying ‘could cause drowning.’ Don’t think anything of it.”12 

But do think something of it. That golf towel likely has formaldehyde or PFAS in it, which are toxic. Why are harmful chemicals allowed in our products? The reason is that the amount in each item is often limited, making small amounts in products seem acceptable.

But here’s the thing.

If these chemicals were just in our couches or clothes or shampoo, it would be limited exposure. But they are in EVERYTHING. These chemicals are in our food, make-up, skin care products, shampoo, soap, clothing, furniture, carpeting, vinyl flooring, mattresses, bedding, drinking water, household cleaning products, cookware, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, hair dye, take-out containers, drapery, building materials including windows and blinds, plastic food containers and packaging, camping tents, shower curtains, electrical items…etc. We are surrounded by these toxins in our homes, in our showers, in the workplace, and in our schools. If we encountered a single chemical occasionally, it likely would not pose a significant threat.

But we are constantly bombarded with these chemicals in every facet of our lives. We are inundated with these chemicals and cumulatively, it harms us. This raises our chances for reproductive and developmental problems, cancer, and other health issues such as rashes, headaches, and allergies. This is likely why cancer is on the rise.

Graphic illustration of a woman doing yoga, surrounded by bottles of a product, yoga mat, towel, plants, and cup of tea.
Image by Евгения from Pixabay.

Protecting Our Health

We are poisoning ourselves with these toxins. As consumers, we must avoid them whenever possible to protect our health. Let’s refuse to purchase items that contain these harmful chemicals. This collective action will drive companies to make necessary changes.

I hope this information helped! Please check out my next article about products with Proposition 65 warnings. Thank you for reading, please share and subscribe.

 

Additional Resources:

List, “Proposition 65 List of Carcinogens or Reproductive Toxicants,” Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), State of California, December 29, 2023.

“Fact Sheets,” Proposition 65 website.

Article, “Prop 65 was meant to protect residents from toxic water. How did warning stickers end up on everything?” Vox.com, updated October 31, 2019.

Footnotes:

Posted on

Book Review: “You Wouldn’t Want to Live Without Plastic!”

Last updated on February 1, 2024.

You Wouldn't Want to Live Without Plastic! book cover.

I love books and love sharing them with my son. However, once in a while, we come across a book that offers poor or inaccurate information. This book is one of those. I like to focus on positive reviews, but I feel reviewing this book is important for people to be aware of because it has a lot of misleading information, in my humble opinion.

We know that while there are a few great uses for plastic in the world, such as plastic heart valves and vision care, most plastics are wasteful, full of toxins, and are not reusable. Unfortunately, we humans have gone overboard on plastic consumption and waste, which is why we have to fight so hard to reverse the damage now.

The Good

The book provides a concise history of plastic development and manufacturing, which is helpful for the recommended age range of 8-12 years. The story explains that post-1950s was “the beginning of our ‘throwaway’ lifestyle. Instead of repairing something, we throw it away and buy something new to replace it.” Here is a missed opportunity to express that that is the wrong thing to do environmentally.

The story mentions that certain types of plastics can be used to make strong materials for safety. These include clothing to protect firefighters and race car drivers, and helmets for sports and biking/motorcycling. Some plastic is even made fireproof. As I said, plastics do have their place, sometimes.

The book indicates that there are problems with plastic, but not until toward the end of the story. It mentions that animals ingest plastics and that plastics are polluting the ocean. It offers solutions such as recycling and incineration. But as we know, only about 9% of plastics are actually recycled. Incineration pollutes the air with toxic chemicals released from plastics during burning.

Some extra facts were listed at the end of the book. One of them, which I feel should have been at the beginning or in the part about the future, was: “Plastic takes so long to break down that nearly every piece of plastic ever made still exists today.” That’s exactly why we have problems now.

Beach pollution in the Dominican Republic, mostly plastic. Photo by Dustan Woodhouse on Unsplash.
Beach pollution in the Dominican Republic, mostly plastic. Photo by Dustan Woodhouse on Unsplash.

The Bad

Since we have such a problem pollution problem now, authors have the opportunity to teach children to look for alternatives in the future. Unfortunately, the majority of the book promotes plastic as a good resource that we NEED. It explains the different methods of plastic production, and how plastic begins as nurdles, although they didn’t use that term. It did not mention the various chemical compositions of plastic, or that they can be toxic to human health.

For example, the book mentions twice that plastic is better for toys because plastic is safer and more durable. Plastic is not more durable than metal or wood. And safer is not always true. If you compare it to toys made from lead, yes, because lead is highly poisonous. But we also know that chemicals like phthalates and BPA are found in many plastic toys and infant items. There are other chemicals in plastics that we don’t know the long-term effects of yet.

Another example indicates that synthetic clothing is better because it will not shrink like clothes made from natural fibers. True that they may not shrink, but we know that microfibers from washing synthetic clothing are in our rivers, lakes, and oceans. Clothing made from natural fibers is best.

Under a subheading entitled Looking Into the Future: “Most plastics are made from chemicals that come from oil, but oil causes pollution, and it will run out one day. Don’t worry, you won’t have to do without plastic. Future plastics will probably be made from natural materials…” called bioplastics.

If it were that easy, why haven’t we been doing that all along?

The Awful

There were a few parts in this book that I think contain extremely misleading information. One example is that the book suggests that plastic home items, such as doors and windows, are better because they last longer than wood. But sometimes those products contain chemicals such as formaldehyde, PFAS, or other chemicals banned in the State of California under as Proposition 65. That legislation requires labeling of such materials now, thankfully, as they have been tied to several diseases and types of cancer.

Here is another example:

If it weren’t for plastic, you’d have to work a lot harder at home…Modern nonstick saucepans are easier to clean than old iron or enamel pans.

Non-stick pans, particularly Teflon, contained dangerous toxins for decades. Those toxins have been linked to thyroid disorders, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, birth defects, and testicular cancer. Only in recent years has that chemical been removed from Teflon, and I’m not convinced that the replacement chemicals concerning human health have been studied thoroughly. Further, who knows what’s in the non-brand versions of Teflon cookware?

My last example is when the book mentions that credit cards, first issued in the 1950s, are made of plastic. “These plastic cards make it easier for people to buy new products from stores.” Oh my, that is Just. So. Wrong. No, credit cards delude people into buying stuff they don’t need and going into debt. Dave Ramsey and like-minded financial experts would probably drop their jaws if they saw that sentence. I don’t like being so critical, but talk about sending the wrong message to our children!

Photo of a person using a blue credit card on a credit card processor on a desk, next to a smartphone and a tape dispenser. Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash.
Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash.

The right messages

Plastic is not evil, but the way we use and waste plastic is evil. If we want to protect our children, our health, and our environment, we’ve got great changes ahead of us to make. So let’s stick to books that teach our children the right messages about health and the environment.

I hope this was helpful. Thank you for reading!