Paints, Solvents & Adhesives

Paints, Solvents & Adhesives

The State of California regulates the chemical toluene because it has been shown to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm.  Toluene is commonly used in the manufacturing of solvents, paints, paint thinners, silicone sealants, many chemical reactants, rubber, printing ink, adhesives (glues), lacquers, leather tanners, and disinfectants. 

In 1993, a public interest group represented by the founder of The Chanler Group investigated and commenced a ground-breaking enforcement action against companies such as Sherwin-Williams, Ace Hardware, DEP and Testor and retailers including Kmart, Home Depot, and Grand Auto, that sold spray paints and adhesives containing the toxic solvent toluene.  The group alleged that these companies were violating Proposition 65 by failing to provide warnings to California consumers that millions of units of these products contained excessive levels of toluene. 

In this unprecedented settlement reached with Sherwin-Williams and thirty-seven other companies, the companies agreed to significantly reformulate their products, including developing water-based spray paints. They also agreed to implement a warning program in compliance with Proposition 65.

Additionally, the research and investigation materials developed by the public interest group were utilized by the California Attorney General to file an enforcement action against Sherwin-Williams.  As a result, Sherwin-Williams and three other companies agreed to settlement terms requiring Proposition 65 warnings for products that contained a maximum of 13,000 micrograms of toluene, which amounts to less than 1% toluene content in a typical 16-ounce can of spray paint. 

Today, The Chanler Group's clients continue their efforts to protect the health and safety of all California consumers against similar exposures by investigating products for the presence of toluene and other chemicals. 

To review legal agreements which The Chanler Group's clients have reached with companies that sell spray paints, solvents and adhesives, please see the cases below.

firm casework - enforcement

December 5, 2005
Toluene
Consent Judgment
The San Francisco County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in Leeman v. Onward Manufacturing Company Limited, et al., on December 5, 2005, which resolved citizen enforcer Dr. Whitney R. Leeman's allegations that Onward Manufacturing Company Limited ("Onward") sold BBQ touch-up paint containing toluene in the State of California without providing the...
September 17, 2003
Toluene
Consent Judgment
The Alameda County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in DiPirro v. Carboline Company, a subsidiary of RPM, Inc., et al. on September 17, 2003. This enforcement action resolved the allegations of citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro that defendant Carboline Company, a subsidiary of RPM, Inc., sold certain waterproof adhesives containing toluene in the State of...
July 23, 2003
Toluene
Consent Judgment
A Consent Judgment in the DiPirro v. Kole Imports, et al. matter, heard in the Alameda County Superior Court, was entered on July 23, 2003. The Consent Judgment resolved citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro's allegations that the defendant Kole Imports sold adhesives and contact cements containing toluene in the State of California without providing the requisite health...
December 14, 2002
Lead, Toluene
Consent Judgment
A Consent Judgment in the DiPirro v. Illinois Tool Works, Inc., et al. matter, heard in the Alameda County Superior Court, was entered on November 14, 2002. The Consent Judgment resolved citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro's allegations that the defendant Illinois Tool Works, Inc. ("Illinois") sold staining colors and fluids containing lead and lead compounds...
November 22, 2002
Trichloroethylene
Consent Judgment
Citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro and defendant Slide Products, Inc. reached a settlement in the form of a Consent Judgment that was executed on November 22, 2002, in DiPirro v. Slide Products, Inc. The settlement resolved DiPirro's allegations that Slide Products sold cleaning and degreaser products containing the toxin trichloroethylene in the State of California...
October 21, 2002
Methylene Chloride
Consent Judgment
A Consent Judgment in the DiPirro v. Autotype Americas, Inc., et al. matter, heard in the Alameda County Superior Court, was entered on October 21, 2002. The Consent Judgment resolved citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro's allegations that the defendant Autotype Americas, Inc. sold certain Blueline Autobond X products containing methylene chloride in the State of...
June 6, 2002
Consent Judgment
Citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro's action against Winfield Brooks Company, Inc. concluded on June 6, 2002 when a Consent Judgment was executed in DiPirro v. Winfield Brooks Company, Inc., resolving DiPirro's allegations that Winfield Brooks sold cutting and tapping fluids containing the toxin tetrachloroeothylene in the State of California without providing the...
December 21, 2001
Toluene
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case DiPirro v. Target Corporation, The Coleman Company, et al., executed a Consent Judgment on December 21, 2001. This enforcement action resolved citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro's allegations that the defendant The Coleman Company ("Coleman") sold adhesives and other adhesive repair products containing the solvent toluene in...