Press Releases

The Chanler Group has been instrumental in generating over $100 million in civil fines and other funds for projects that educate children, workers, and consumers about precautions they can take to significantly reduce toxic chemical exposures.  See below for press releases on how The Chanler Group has been holding those responsible for toxic exposures accountable for their violations of state and federal laws, working for a cleaner environment and better working conditions, and benefiting nonprofits and charities.

recent posts - press releases

January 27, 2016
Dr. Whitney R. Leeman has filed a complaint in Santa Clara County Superior Court against Disston Company, alleging that Disston sold extension cords containing the phthalate chemical DEHP without a Proposition 65 warning. DEHP is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.  Under Proposition 65, companies offering products for sale that contain DEHP must provide consumers with a “clear and reasonable” warning of the risks of exposure. Dr... full text
April 23, 2014
BERKELEY, Calif.  -- More than 70 furniture manufacturers have certified to The Chanler Group, an environmental law firm based in Berkeley, Calif., that their products sold in California have been reformulated to remove detectable amounts of the carcinogenic flame retardants tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP).  These certifications encompass a wide range of home and office furniture, including office chairs, ottomans, high... full text
March 4, 2014
The Chanler Group, an environmental law firm based in Berkeley, CA, announced today the outcome of its 2014 grant program, awarding $25,000 to the Center for Creative Land Recycling, Alliance for the Great Lakes and Sea Research Foundation.  These organizations will use the grants to clean up the environment, educate consumers and build research and development facilities as further described below. “We all have the same goal: a cleaner environment,” said Josh Voorhees,... full text
January 29, 2014
In a major victory for consumers, a new Proposition 65 settlement reported today ensures that Deluxe Corporation's checkbook covers will no longer contain di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), a known carcinogen and reproductive toxicant, or will have the requisite health hazard warnings provided. The agreement requires Deluxe, a business services company that manufactures and distributes a variety of checkbook covers across the United States, to reformulate its checkbook covers sold in... full text
December 4, 2013
Parents can breathe easier knowing that thousands of child and infant car seats will be reformulated thanks to a settlement reported today. The agreement requires Evenflo Company, Inc. to reformulate its baby car seats to remove harmful flame retardant chemicals to comply with California’s right-to-know toxics law.  Under the law, companies selling products that contain dangerous chemicals must first provide consumers with a health hazard warning or reformulate. “Children are... full text
November 21, 2013
The Chanler Group, an environmental law firm, has published a list of furniture products that contain no detectable levels of tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), flame retardants known to the State of California to cause cancer. TDCPP and TCEP leach from contaminated products and affix to dust, placing small children, toddlers, and infants at an increased risk of exposure via inhalation and/or ingestion.  Dermal contact with the... full text
November 8, 2013
BERKELEY, Calif. – November 8, 2013 California consumers will receive new protections against toxic materials routinely used by Chinese manufacturers in everyday goods thanks to a settlement reached yesterday in Santa Clara County Superior Court, according to an attorney who negotiated the agreement.    The agreement, approved by Judge James Stoelker, requires DAP Inc., a large Chinese manufacturer, to reformulate consumer products to comply with California’s Proposition... full text
October 30, 2013
The Chanler Group, an environmental law firm, reached a settlement on behalf of its client Whitney Leeman, Ph.D. with food service company Farmer Bros., which serves products to over 60,000 hospitality, healthcare, gaming and retail establishments in the United States.  Dr. Leeman claimed that Farmer Bros. violated California’s Proposition 65 by selling a food extract, flavor and coloring alleged to contain the carcinogenic toxin 4-methylimidazole, commonly known as 4-MEI, to... full text
October 25, 2013
The Chanler Group (www.chanler.com), an environmental law firm, reached a settlement on behalf of its client, Peter Englander, with a Chinese manufacturer of products alleged to contain the reproductive toxin di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, commonly known as DEHP. Mr. Englander alleged that the foreign company, Hangzhou GreatStar Tool Company, violated California’s Proposition 65 by manufacturing and selling hand tools and stools containing DEHP through major retailers such as Lowe’s and... full text
October 16, 2013
Environmental law firm The Chanler Group, on behalf of its clients Peter Englander, John Moore, and Laurence Vinocur, has reached settlements with 35 furniture companies, including IKEA, J.C. Penney and Summer Infant Products, for violations of California’s Proposition 65.  As part of the settlement agreements, the companies have committed to reformulate their products in order to virtually eliminate the presence of the toxic flame retardants TDCPP and TCEP.  Furthermore, the... full text