Last year, chlorinated Tris a fire retardant chemical was added to California s ever-expanding list of carcinogens and reproductive toxins According to the state s Proposition 65, products containing a certain level of chemicals on this lengthy list must carry a warning label.
Starting in October, the Center for Environmental Health in Oakland bought and tested about 25 products from Bay Area retailers and online sources and found that 16 children's products and four products for general consumer use contained amounts of this chemical above the allowable level, and no warning label.
Last Thursday, the Center said it is now taking legal action against major national retailers, including Toys R Us, Target and Walmart, to force them to stop selling foam products that contain levels of chlorinated Tris that exceed those permitted by California law. And although the high doses in the studied products were most likely a result of the manufacturer satisfying another state law, which requires foam in furniture and some children's items to withstand a small open flame for 12 seconds, the Center for Environmental Health is continuing with the lawsuit.
This is what happens with Proposition 65, says ACSH s Dr. Gilbert Ross. Acting in the guise of protecting public health, lawyer-led groups sue companies marketing products with inadequate warning labels, and collect the bounty. It has absolutely nothing to do with health, as the levels of these substances are too low to harm anyone. The issue of chlorinated tris is somewhat of a Catch 22, given that the law requires it in products but proposition 65 says it must be labeled.
For further information on Proposition 65 read ACSH s publication California s Proposition 65 and Its Impact on Public Health.
Dr. Bloom has also written a humorous commentary about the insanity that is Proposition 65.
