California to List Methyl Isobutyl Ketone

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) intends to list methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as a chemical known to the State of California to cause reproductive toxicity under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65). 

MIBK must be listed under Proposition 65 as a reproductive toxicant if an authoritative body formally identifies it as such and the evidence considered by the authoritative body meets the sufficiency criteria contained in the regulations.  OEHHA has determined that MIBK meets the criteria for listing it as a known reproductive toxicant under Proposition 65 based on findings of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The EPA is an authoritative body under Proposition 65.

MIBK is primarily used as a coating solvent in cellulose-based and resin-based coating systems.  It is also used in the production of paints, pesticide formulations, adhesives, wax/oil separation, leather finishing, textile coating, and specialty surfactants for inks. 

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.