California Toxics Right-to-Know Law
California passed the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act in 1986, after voters approved it in a Proposition 65 ballot initiative, so it is often called the "Proposition 65" program. This precedent-setting law helps protect citizens and drinking water sources from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. It requires businesses to give warnings whenever consumer products contain these chemicals, either through product labels or notice to workers, and prohibits these chemicals from being released to drinking water bodies. It is the only state law in the country that provides consumers with this critical information, and required the state to establish one of the first lists of chemicals causing cancer and reproductive harm.
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Supporting Documents
Frequently Asked Questions Fact Sheet
This fact sheet by the state health agency answers questions for consumers and businesses regarding the chemical list, warning signs and procedures, and government and business requirements, and provides website links.
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Proposition 65 Chemicals List
California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment compiled the legally required list of chemicals which are known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity, and is known as the Proposition 65 Chemicals List. This list featured in the Clearinghouse was added in 2007, and was done in 2005.
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Proposition 65 Fact Sheet
This fact sheet by the state health agency provides a summary of the law's goals, describes responsibilities of businesses and government agencies, and highlights some accomplishments.
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