DiPirro v. Amazon.com, Inc., et al.,

On October 23, 2001, the Alameda County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in DiPirro v. Amazon.com, Inc., et al. (Case No. H217764-5), which resolved citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro's allegations that Amazon.com distributed and/or sold certain sandblasters and other power tools whose customary use and application produce fumes, gases and dust which contain lead, crystalline silica, arsenic and chromium in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard warnings.

Under the settlement, Amazon.com agreed to avoid knowingly distributing or selling any power tools containing or producing fumes, gases or dust that contain lead, crystalline silica, arsenic and chromium in California, unless such power tools provide a clear and reasonable warning on the packing slip of the product, on the website at the time of purchase, or on the manufacturer's packaging.

The Consent Judgment required settlement payments of $31,000, divided therein between civil penalties, 75% of which were paid to California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, and the remainder as compensation to whistleblower DiPirro and his counsel for their successful enforcement of this matter in the public interest.