Proposition 65 Warning

Dr. Whitney R. Leeman has issued 18 new 60-Day Notices of Violation of Proposition 65 to companies offering products such as cords, electrical tape, and mugs with exterior decorations in California that contain chemicals known to the State to cause cancer and/or reproductive harm without the requisite health hazard warning.  These citizen enforcers allege that the companies’ products contain the phthalate chemicals DEHP and/or the heavy metal lead.  DEHP and lead are known to the State to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm.  The noticed companies include American Honda Motor Co. and Monoprice.

Dr. Whitney R. Leeman has negotiated a successful settlement with Annie International in regards to alleged violations of Proposition 65.  Leeman had alleged that Annie sold hair brushes with vinyl/PVC grips that contained the phthalate chemical DEHP without the requisite health hazard warning.  Proposition 65 requires companies offering products for sale in California that contain DEHP to provide consumers with a “clear and reasonable” warning of the risk of exposure.

In addition to paying civil penalties, Annie has agreed to sell only hair brushes that have been reformulated to be virtually free of DEHP, or else provide consumers with a Proposition 65 warning.  Should Annie provide Leeman with certification by September 30, 2015 that all its hair brushes sold in California meet the reformulation requirements, Leeman has agreed to waive part of the civil penalty.

For more details, please see the case summary on our website: Leeman v. Annie International, Inc.

The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, commence actions against businesses offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm without first providing the health hazard warning required by Proposition 65. Citizen enforcers bringing Proposition 65 actions in the public interest may obtain a Court Judgment imposing civil penalties, an injunction requiring reformulation of products, and/or provision of health hazard warnings

Citizen enforcer Laurence Vinocur and Midland Radio Corporation have reached a settlement agreement regarding alleged violations of Proposition 65.  Vinocur alleged that Midland sold headsets with cords containing the phthalate chemical DEHP, which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm, without the requisite health hazard warning.  Under Proposition 65 law, companies offering products for sale that contain DEHP must provide consumers with a “clear and reasonable” warning of the risk of exposure.

In addition to civil penalties, Midland has agreed to sell only headsets that have been reformulated to be virtually free of DEHP.  Should Midland accelerate the reformulation and provide Vinocur with certification that all its headsets are DEHP-free by October 1, 2015, Vinocur has agreed to waive part of the civil penalty.

For more details and to read the settlement itself, please see the case summary on our website: Vinocur v. Midland Radio Corporation

The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, commence actions against businesses offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm without first providing the health hazard warning required by Proposition 65. Citizen enforcers bringing Proposition 65 actions in the public interest may obtain a Court Judgment imposing civil penalties, an injunction requiring reformulation of products, and/or provision of health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group has represented citizen enforcers of Proposition 65 for more than twenty years.

Dr. Whitney R. Leeman has negotiated a successful settlement with Dick’s Sporting Goods regarding alleged violations of Proposition 65.  Leeman had alleged that Dick’s Sporting Goods sold cooking utensils with vinyl/PVC grips that contained the phthalate chemical DEHP without the requisite health hazard warning.  DEHP is known to the State of California to cause birth defects and/or other reproductive harm, and under Proposition 65 law, companies offering products for sale that contain DEHP must provide consumers with a “clear and reasonable” warning of the risks of exposure.

In addition to paying civil penalties, Dick’s Sporting Goods has agreed to sell only cooking utensils that are virtually free of not only DEHP, but additional phthalate chemicals DBP, BBP, and DINP that are also known to cause cancer, birth defects, and/or other reproductive harm.  Products that do not meet the reformulation requirements must be accompanied by a Proposition 65 warning.

For more details and to read the settlement itself, please see the case summary on our website: Leeman v. Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, commence actions against businesses offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm without first providing the health hazard warning required by Proposition 65. Citizen enforcers bringing Proposition 65 actions in the public interest may obtain a Court Judgment imposing civil penalties, an injunction requiring reformulation of products, and/or provision of health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group has represented citizen enforcers of Proposition 65 for more than twenty years.

Dr. Anthony Held has filed a complaint against Inteplast Group in Alameda County Superior Court alleging violations of Proposition 65.  Proposition 65 requires companies offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to the State to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm to provide consumers with a health hazard warning.  Held alleges that Inteplast sold vinyl/PVC gloves containing the phthalate chemical DINP, which is known to the State to cause cancer.

In addition to civil penalties, Held seeks an injunction to prohibit Inteplast from selling the gloves in California without a Proposition 65 warning.

The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, commence actions against businesses offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm without first providing the health hazard warning required by Proposition 65. Citizen enforcers bringing Proposition 65 actions in the public interest may obtain a Court Judgment imposing civil penalties, an injunction requiring reformulation of products, and/or provision of health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group has represented citizen enforcers of Proposition 65 for more than twenty years.