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The Prop 65 warnings are probably unhelpful even when accurate because they don't show anything about the level of risk or how typical or atypical it is for a g
by schoen 3y ago
The Prop 65 warnings are probably unhelpful even when accurate because they don't show anything about the level of risk or how typical or atypical it is for a given context. (I'm thinking especially about warnings on buildings more than on food products, although the same problem exists to some degree for food.)
It's very possible that Prop 65 has motivated some businesses to avoid using toxic chemicals, but it doesn't often help individuals make effective health decisions.
- dawnerd 3y agoProp 65 is also way too broad. It needs to be specific about what carcinogens you’re being exposed to and not just “it’s a parking garage and this is our legally mandated sign”
- inferiorhuman 3y agoAs of 2016 companies are required to list the specific chemical and how to avoid or minimize exposure.
- xp84 3y agoSeems to still be pretty pointless considering that roads and parking lots and garages are all to be avoided if you want to avoid exposure… just stay away from any of those
- inferiorhuman 3y agoIt's great for things you wouldn't expect. Like mercury in fish, or lead and BPA in plastic.
- dawnerd 3y agoI have yet to see any of that in practice. Guessing no one is enforcing it.
- inferiorhuman 3y agoThere was a push to crack down on over labeling, but manufacturers have pushed back quite a bit. https://www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com/california-warning-label-proposition-65/ https://www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com/california-warni...
- katbyte 3y agoWhile you may think it didn’t have an effect a recent 99pi episode covered it and it sounds like it has definitely motivated many companies to remove chemicals from their products. It’s not perfect but it has had a positive effect https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/warning-this-podcast-contains-chemicals-known-to-the-state-of-california-to-cause-cancer-or-other-reproductive-harm/ https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/warning-this-podcast-...
- MBCook 3y agoBeat me to it! As a non-Californian I’m used to them from the little stickers on seemingly every electronics cable that comes with something I buy. But from listening to that episode when it came out it sounds like it really has helped a lot, even if it’s also become kind of obnoxious.
- inferiorhuman 3y agoseemingly every electronics cable If it's something you've bought recently the offending ingredient should be listed. Otherwise, my money would be on lead being used as a plasticizer. Either way at least you have the tools to find out now.
- pixl97 3y agoBut does it actually benefit the customer? Like is it one of those things the remove a 1 in a billion chance of cancer, and now have a product that wears out twice as fast leading to a doubling of sales?
- schoen 3y agoThanks, that's an interesting overview.
- ben_w 3y agoIndeed. First time I was in CA, my then-partner's mother saw a Prop 65 notice and asked why they couldn't just ban the substances. We were in a restaurant that served alcohol, one of the known substances is… alcoholic beverages. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_65_list_of_chemicals https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_65_list... Banning that didn't work out so well the last time.
- Fatnino 3y agoThe entire Stanford campus (which is much bigger than a typical university) has a prop 65 warning at the entrance. 898 Bowdoin St https://maps.app.goo.gl/uHTTd7yYtAibAg1QA https://maps.app.goo.gl/uHTTd7yYtAibAg1QA Some of the street view passes the sign is washed out. Click through to different times to see the sign.