NEWS

OEHHA to List Two Substances as Proposition 65 Carcinogens

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has announced its "intent to list" Molybdenum Trioxide and Indium Tin Oxide as carcinogens pursuant to Proposition 65.

OEHHA Extends the Comment Period on Synthetic Food Dye Study

In August the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment announced the conclusions of its recent study of the potential effects of exposure to seven synthetic dyes on neurobehavioral activities in children

OEHHA Issues a New Fact Sheet on Flame Retardants

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has issued a new fact sheet on flame retardants.

EPA Grants Third Manufacturer Initiated TSCA Assessment

U.S EPA has for the third time approved a request by a manufacturer to initiate a risk assessment of a chemical pursuant to TSCA. The agency will do an assessment of Octamethylcyclotetra-siloxane (D4).

District Court Nixes Berkeleys Cell Phone Radiation Warning Ordinance, But Does Not Rule of First Amendment Issue In Case

A San Francisco district judge has invalidated a city of Berkeley ordinance requiring cell phone retailers to provide warnings about radio frequency (RF) radiation—ruling that it is preempted by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authority on consumer cell phone warnings.

HBCD Final Risk Assessment is Third Under Revised TSCA

U.S. EPA has made Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and its related compounds the third existing chemical to have a final risk evaluation under the 2016 version of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Court Rejects ACC's Petition to Overturn Prop. 65 Listing of DINP

On August 17 of this year the American Chemistry Council (ACC) filed a petition with the California Supreme Court seeking to overturn the listing of the substance diisononyl phthalate (DINP) as a Proposition 65 carcinogen.

Hearing Cancelled But Comments Remain Open on Proposed Acrylamide Safe Harbors

EPA Finalizes Risk Evaluation Scope Documents for Next 20 Chemicals Along With List of Fee Payers

On September 4, 2020 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized the "scope" documents for the next 20 high priority chemicals for which it will finalize risk evaluations pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Judge's Decision Ends Ten Year Battle Over Coffee Warnings

Judge Elihu Berle of the Los Angeles County Superior Court has dismissed a ten-year effort by a Proposition 65 private enforcer to require purveyors of brewed coffee to place a cancer warning on their products.

California Study Concludes that Synthetic Food Dyes Show Clear Link to Children's ADHD

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has released a draft of its assessment of the potential neurobehavioral effect of synthetic food dyes in children.

OEHHA Retreats on Proposed Amendments to Prop. 65 Warning Regulations

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has withdrawn the bulk of its latest proposal to amend its Proposition 65 warning regulations.

AG Appeals District Court Decision Banning Prop. 65 Glyphosate Warnings

The California Attorney General's office has appealed a lower court decision blocking California from requiring a Proposition 65 cancer warning on products containing the insecticide glyphosate.

Consumer Brands Association Renews Demand that Governor Delay Private Enforcement Actions Due to COVID-19

On August 5, 2020, the Consumer Brands Association (Consumer Brands) sent a "renewed" request to Governor Gavin Newsom asking him to stay private Prop. 65 enforcement actions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chemistry Council Asks Supreme Court To Overrule Appellate Court Ruling Upholding DINP Listing

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is asking the California Supreme Court to reverse a lower court decision upholding the listing of diisononyl phthalate (DINP) as a Proposition 65 carcinogen.

OEHHA Seeks Input from CIC on Potential Chemicals to Study for Future Prop. 65 Listing

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has announced a list of seven chemical or chemical groups for the Carcinogen Identification Committee (CIC) to prioritize for potential study and listing under Proposition 65.

Attorney General Issues Cease and Desist Letter Regarding "Pre-Notice" Letters

On August 7, 2020, the Attorney General sent a letter to Kyle Wallace of Davitt, Lalley, Dey & McHale "confirming" that Mr. Wallace "will cease and desist from sending Pre-notice letters to companies threatening to sue them under Proposition 65 and offering to settle the matter."

60-Day Notice Trends: Heavy Metals in Seaweed Products

The trend of notices alleging heavy metals in seaweed food products continues with full force. The Consumer Advocacy Group (CAG) has issued over 240 notices to date alleging that dried and roasted seaweed snack food products contain lead, arsenic, and cadmium.

Former EPA Officials Suggest Significant Changes in TSCA

A large group of former officials of the Environmental Protection Agency has outlined a set of actions they believe are necessary for EPA to strengthen the administration of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) so that it reflects the "best available science."

CHEMICAL OF THE MONTH: Marijuana Smoke

On June 19, 2009, OEHHA listed "cannabis (marijuana) smoke" as known to cause cancer.