The San Francisco based group As You Sow, led by attorney Clifford Chanler, has received an award of substantial attorneys' fees from a San Francisco Superior Court judge as result of two successful cases under Proposition 65. As You Sow received over $48,000 of total fees and costs for preparing and moving forward with a case prosecuting The R.J. McGlennon Company for selling paint containing toluene without the required Prop. 65 warning. McGlennon settled the case and agreed to label future products with a standard Prop. 65 warning indicating that the chemical was known to cause cancer and birth defects in the State of California. As You Sow was also awarded $214,749 for their spade work that supported the Attorney General's action in prosecuting multiple paint manufacturers, including Sherwin Williams.

Historically, ceramic dishware has been coated with a glaze containing lead that can potentially be leaked into food, be consumed and may cause clinical lead poisoning. However, due to California's strict laws controlling toxic substances, the use of lead glazes in the industry has significantly dropped. More than 8,000 patterns are currently lead-safe. The Environmental Defense Fund, who have sued multiple major ceramic-ware manufacturers for this violation, issued the latest edition of its brochure, "What You Should Know About Lead in China Dishes" which identifies lead-safe patterns and at home methods to check lead levels.

A superior court judge has awarded As You Sow nearly $215,000 in attorney's fees and costs in a long-lasting fight with a paint manufacturer. Additionally, Judge Stuart Pollak rejected defendant Cotter & Co's request for reimbursement of their $53,000 in fees to "protect public interest" against the case. "This is an absolute endorsement of the critical role AYS has played in enforcing this toxics law against the chemical industry," said As You Sow attorney, Clifford Chanler. As You Sow has filed suit against several other paint manufacturers alleging failure to adequately warn California consumers that their products contain toluene, a chemical linked to birth defects.

For the first time, a state appeal court has upheld the ruling of California trial judges to require warning labels on food products. In the case Consumers Union v. Alta Dena Certified Dairy, the judge accused the defendant of false advertising and unfair business practice laws, ordering them to warn consumers that raw milk poses severe health risks.

In a series of lawsuits brought under Proposition 65, three paint stripper manufacturing companies were forced to warn customers of the potential cancer risk of the toxic chemicals used in their production or to stop distributing the products in California. The multitude of lawsuits against violating manufacturers have resulted in the removal of methylene chloride and the introduction of alternative products that do not contain cancer causing ingredients.