In the News

March 15, 1994
In response to As You Sow's lawsuit against spray paint and adhesive producers, many companies including Sherwin-Williams, Ace Hardware, Minwax and Testor will now be required to comply with California's health warning law. Many of the companies will be required to either reformulate their products to remove toluene, a chemical known to cause birth defects, or to...
In the News
February 7, 1994
In a series of actions that have highlighted interest in the enforcement of Proposition 65, As You Sow has singularly filed and settled more than 125 Propositions 65 lawsuits within 18-24 months of startup. As You Sow has collected more than $1 million in reimbursements for investigative costs and attorney's fees from manufacturers of spray paints, adhesives, and nail...
In the News
October 19, 1993
Toluene, a chemical frequently used in the production of spray paint and gasoline, is the second most common ingredient in nail polish and is known to cause birth defects when inhaled by pregnant women. While Toluene is undeniably harmful, many nail polish manufacturers claim that the amount inhaled through nail polish is not harmful. Much of this debate is derived from the...
In the News
August 20, 1993
Maybelline, Christian Dior, Elizabeth Arden, and Chesebrough-Ponds' Cutex have reached a settlement in As You Sow's lawsuit claiming violation of Proposition 65. The four major nail polish manufacturers, along with 22 other manufacturers who have settled with As You Sow, agreed to stop manufacturing and selling any products in California containing toluene, which is...
In the News
August 10, 1993
Rust-Oleum Corp, an Illinois paint manufacturer, has reached a settlement with As You Sow in response to allegations of inadequate warning of toluene in paint products under Proposition 65. Rust-Oleum agreed to supply warning labels to products still on the shelves. As You Sow sent 60-day notices of Proposition 65 violations to more than 40 paint and adhesives companies...
In the News
August 4, 1993
San Francisco's As You Sow sued over 40 nail polish manufacturers in April for failing to warn consumers of the hazardous side effects from the toxic chemical toluene. The defendants claim the substance is harmless in tiny amounts and does not warrant a warning label. Toluene was rated the 37th most toxic chemical by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease...
In the News
May 17, 1993
Six companies have settled with As You Sow in lawsuits alleging violations of Proposition 65. The action alleges that under Proposition 65 both consumers and manicurists have a right to know the risks and side effects of toluene to pregnant women using nail polish containing the chemical. The settlement provides that Nutress Laboratories, Gar Labs, Gens Labs, Nails 2000,...
In the News
April 13, 1993
As You Sow sued major nail polish makers Revlon Inc, Procter & Gamble Co, Chesebrough-Ponds' U.S.A. Co., Elizabeth Arden and Max Factor & Co. for violating state law by not informing consumers, especially pregnant women, of the dangerous side effects of inhaling nail polish fumes containing toluene. This chemical is listed by the state as a reproductive poison and...
In the News
January 17, 1993
Ten leading ceramic dish manufacturers have agreed to reduce the amount of lead used in the production of their dishes and also institute a warning label to alert consumers of china patterns that pose health hazards. Lead is associated with hypertension and known to cause birth defects along with other reproductive disorders. Stores that sell the dishes are required to have...
In the News
January 16, 1993
Ten major manufacturers of china dishes have settled a consumer protection lawsuit filed by the state, agreeing to pay $2.3 million for not adhering to Prop 65 and warning consumers about the lead content in their tableware. This settlement is the largest award under Proposition 65. The ten companies also promised to reduce the lead content in their products by 50-percent over...
In the News