1. There are two independent committees of scientists and health professionals that can assign a chemical to the list: the Carcinogen Identification Committee (CIC) and the Development and Reproductive Toxicant
(DART) Identification Committee. Committee members are appointed by
the governor.
2. If either CIC or DART identifies an organization as an “a uthoritative
body,” that organization can classify a chemical as a carcinogen or as
a chemical with the potential to cause reproductive harm. The following organizations have been designated as authoritative bodies: the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (U.S. FDA), National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH), National Toxicology Program, and International
Agency for Research on Cancer.
3. An agency of the state or federal government identifies a chemical as a
possible carcinogen or reproductive toxicant. This generally applies to prescription drugs identified by the U.S. FDA.
8
Toxic Chemicals
Subsequent to this chapter, this book details approaches for the next steps of
appropriately prioritizing the toxicity of various chemicals based on relevant toxicity
data and for chemical composition reporting to assist individual consumers in making
more efficient and informed decisions about the products that they are buying. Also,
details are provided on a federal-level program that could be implemented to reduce
the use of at least the most highly toxic chemicals used in the manufacturing process
to reduce exposure in the first place.
CALIFORNIA: PROPOSITION 65
In November 1986, California voters approved the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic
Enforcement Act of 1986, also known as Proposition 65 (Prop 65). This act requires
the state to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects or other
reproductive harm and to update the list annually.
Any company that is located in or does business in California is prohibited from
knowingly discharging listed chemicals into sources of drinking water. They must
also provide “clear-and-reasonable” warning before exposing anyone to a listed
chemical. Businesses are responsible for developing their own warnings.
BASIS FOR PROGRAM
The Prop 65 chemical list contains a wide range of naturally occurring and synthetic
chemicals that are known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm.
The chemicals include those present in household products as well as those used
in manufacturing and construction or chemicals that are by-products of chemical
processes such as motor vehicle exhaust.
To be added to the list, a chemical first has to meet guidelines identifying it as
a carcinogen or reproductive toxicant. At that point, there are three main ways that
chemicals are added to the list.
(DART) Identification Committee. Committee members are appointed by
the governor.
2. If either CIC or DART identifies an organization as an “a uthoritative
body,” that organization can classify a chemical as a carcinogen or as
a chemical with the potential to cause reproductive harm. The following organizations have been designated as authoritative bodies: the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (U.S. FDA), National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH), National Toxicology Program, and International
Agency for Research on Cancer.
3. An agency of the state or federal government identifies a chemical as a
possible carcinogen or reproductive toxicant. This generally applies to prescription drugs identified by the U.S. FDA.
8
Toxic Chemicals
Subsequent to this chapter, this book details approaches for the next steps of
appropriately prioritizing the toxicity of various chemicals based on relevant toxicity
data and for chemical composition reporting to assist individual consumers in making
more efficient and informed decisions about the products that they are buying. Also,
details are provided on a federal-level program that could be implemented to reduce
the use of at least the most highly toxic chemicals used in the manufacturing process
to reduce exposure in the first place.
CALIFORNIA: PROPOSITION 65
In November 1986, California voters approved the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic
Enforcement Act of 1986, also known as Proposition 65 (Prop 65). This act requires
the state to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects or other
reproductive harm and to update the list annually.
Any company that is located in or does business in California is prohibited from
knowingly discharging listed chemicals into sources of drinking water. They must
also provide “clear-and-reasonable” warning before exposing anyone to a listed
chemical. Businesses are responsible for developing their own warnings.
BASIS FOR PROGRAM
The Prop 65 chemical list contains a wide range of naturally occurring and synthetic
chemicals that are known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm.
The chemicals include those present in household products as well as those used
in manufacturing and construction or chemicals that are by-products of chemical
processes such as motor vehicle exhaust.
To be added to the list, a chemical first has to meet guidelines identifying it as
a carcinogen or reproductive toxicant. At that point, there are three main ways that
chemicals are added to the list.