OEHHA Intends to List Cyanide As Reproductive Toxicant

Posted: 03/22/2013  browse the blog archive

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) issued a Notice of Intent to List hydrogen cyanide and cyanide salts as chemicals known to the State to cause reproductive harm (male reproductive toxicity endpoint).  OEHHA’s notice of intent is based on findings from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Hydrogen cyanide and cyanide salts are used in mining, metallurgy, photography, electroplating, and in some insect- and rodenticides.  They are also released from burning yard waste and are also components of tobacco smoke.  If OEHHA decides to formally add hydrogen cyanide and cyanide salts to the list of chemicals known to cause reproductive harm, businesses that offer products for sale containing such chemicals will have a year from the date of listing to provide a health hazard warning to individuals that use such products.

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.