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V I . C A R E A N D M A I N T E N A N C E
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT PROPOSITION 65
What is Proposition 65?
Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures
to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. These chemicals can be in
the products that Californians purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the
environment. By requiring that this information be provided, Proposition 65 enables Californians to
make informed decisions about their exposures to these chemicals.
Proposition 65 also prohibits California businesses from knowingly discharging significant amounts
of listed chemicals into sources of drinking water. Proposition 65 requires California to publish a list
of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. This list, which must
be updated at least once a year, has grown to include approximately 900 chemicals since it was first
published in 1987.
What types of chemicals are in the Proposition 65 list?
The list contains a wide range of naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals that include additives
or ingredients in pesticides, common household products, food, drugs, dyes, or solvents. Listed
chemicals may also be used in manufacturing and construction, or they may be byproducts of chemical
processes, such as motor vehicle exhaust.
What does a warning mean?
If a warning is placed on a product label or posted or distributed at a workplace, a business, or in
rental housing, the business issuing the warning is aware or believes that it is exposing individuals to
one or more listed chemicals.
By law, a warning must be given for listed chemicals unless the exposure is low enough to pose
no significant risk of cancer or is significantly below levels observed to cause birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Where can I get more information on Proposition 65?
If you have specific questions on the administration or implementation of Proposition 65, you can
contact OEHHA's Proposition 65 program at P65.Questions@oehha.ca.gov, or by phone at (916) 445-
6900.
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