Are There Potentially Harmful Chemicals in Bandages?

On November 15, 2012, Peter Englander, a TCG client, obtained approval of a first-of-its-kind settlement with Accoutrements, a seller of bandages and other products, in which Accoutrements agreed to reformulate its plastic adhesive bandages to be free of phthalates, chemicals known to cause reproductive harm. While Accoutrements has agreed to pay civil penalties under Proposition 65, it has also agreed to designate part of the monetary amount as a cy pres (pronounced sigh pray) award to the Silent Spring Institute, a not-for-profit organization of scientists and activists working to connect the links between environmental chemicals (such as DEHP, BBP, DBP and lead) and developmental and reproductive harm. 

The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest,  enforce each citizen’s right to know when they are exposed to toxic chemicals found in consumer products sold in California and who hold companies accountable for unwarned exposures through imposition of civil penalties and injunctive relief, often requiring the removal of the offensive chemicals. Clients of The Chanler Group have issued dozens of Proposition 65 notices to manufacturers and retailers regarding the presence of toxic chemicals in their products that are sold in California without a warning.