Automotive Products

Automotive Products

The Chanler Group's clients have initiated many Proposition 65 enforcement actions against companies that sell a variety of automotive products, including automotive tools, chemicals, electrical components, and accessories that contain detectable levels of phthalates and the heavy metal lead.  These substances are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm.

As a neurotoxin, lead negatively affects the nervous system, especially children’s brains. Research has shown that repeated exposure to lead cumulatively affects the developing nervous system and, over time, can lead to attention deficit, learning disabilities, short-term memory loss, behavioral problems, and diminished intellectual ability.

Phthalates are "plasticizers," substances added to plastic components and materials in consumer products to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity.  The Chanler Group's clients regularly investigate the presence of phthalate chemicals such as di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP"),  butyl benzyl phthalate ("BBP"), and Di-n-butyl phthalate ("DBP") which are often found in consumer products.

The Chanler Group, on behalf of its clients, has secured settlements from many automotive companies in which the companies have agreed to reformulate their products to either virtually eliminate the presence of phthalates and lead or provide Proposition 65 health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group and its clients continue to closely monitor this industry in order to protect consumers from exposure to chemicals such as phthalates and lead. 

To review legal agreements whichThe Chanler Group's clients have reached with companies that sell automotive products, please see the cases below.

firm casework - enforcement

October 11, 2010
Cadmium, DEHP, Lead
Out-of-Court Settlement
On October 11, 2010, citizen enforcer Russell Brimer and settling defendant Kingsbridge International, Inc. ("Kingsbridge") entered into an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved Brimer's allegations that Kingsbridge sold tape measures containing the heavy metal lead and vinyl automobile accessories and glassware containing cadmium and the...
March 5, 2010
DEHP, Lead
Consent Judgment
On March 5, 2010, the Los Angeles County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Held v. Navajo Manufacturing Company, which resolved citizen enforcer Anthony E. Held, Ph.D., P.E.'s allegations that the defendant Navajo Manufacturing Company ("Navajo") sold children's soft sporting balls, party favors/squeeze animals, soft eyewear cases, and eyewear...
April 7, 2003
Mineral Oils
Consent Judgment
The Alameda County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in DiPirro v. Loctite Corporation, et al. on April 7, 2003. The settlement resolved the allegations of citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro that defendant Loctite Corporation sold certain lubricant products containing mineral oils, and that such mineral oils contain chemicals listed as carcinogens by the State of...
November 20, 2002
Nitromethane
Consent Judgment
A Consent Judgment in the DiPirro v. Byron Originals, Inc., et al. matter, heard in the San Francisco County Superior Court, was entered on November 20, 2002. The Consent Judgment resolved citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro's allegations that the defendant Byron Originals, Inc. sold model engine fuel containing nitromethane in the State of California without providing...
December 19, 2001
Toluene
Consent Judgment
Michael DiPirro and American Honda Motor Co. reached a settlement on December 19, 2001, in DiPirro v. American Honda Motor Co., et al., which resolved citizen enforcer DiPirro's allegations that the defendant American Honda and certain Honda dealers sold touch-up paint containing the solvent toluene in the State of California without providing the requisite health...
December 7, 2001
Toluene
Consent Judgment
Citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro's allegations against the defendants The Sherwin-Williams Company and its subsidiary Dupli-Color Products Company were resolved on December 7, 2001, when the parties executed a Consent Judgment in DiPirro v. The Sherwin-Williams Company, et al. In this enforcement action, DiPirro alleged that the defendants sold automotive touch-up...
November 26, 1996
Consent Judgment
The Honorable Stuart R. Pollack, Judge of the San Francisco County Superior Court, entered a Judgment according to the terms of the settlement between Proposition 65 private enforcer and whistleblower As You Sow ("AYS") and chemical manufacturer PPG Industries, Inc. on November 26, 1996. The settlement resolved AYS's claims that PPG shipped bulk quantities...
April 1, 1996
Toluene
Consent Judgment
In 1995, the Superior Court of California in and for the county of San Francisco entered a Consent Judgment in As You Sow v. The Carboline Company, et al., which resolved private enforcer As You Sow's allegations that the defendant Carboline sold certain paints and solvent products containing toluene in the State of California without providing the requisite health...