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USA: California Prop 65 Lists PFOS and its related substances as Carcinogens

DECEMBER 2021 - ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS, HARDLINES, SOTLINES, TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) announces¹ to add perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and its salts and transformation and degradation precursors to the list of chemicals known² to the state to cause cancer for purposes of the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (known as CA Proposition 65). This amendment takes effect from 24 December 2021.  

CA Proposition 65 is a right-to-know act, requiring businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Once the chemical is listed, the warning requirement will correspondingly take effect one year later. 

PFOS (CAS no. 1763-23-1) was added to CA Proposition 65 back in 2017. It is known to cause reproductive toxicity. As of now, OEHHA is adding PFOS and its salts and transformation and degradation precursors because of carcinogenicity³. PFOS can be formed via dissociation of its salts in solution, or via transformation or degradation of PFOS precursors. They can be used in manufacturing products with water, oil or stain repellence finishing e.g. carpet, outdoor wear. These man-made substances belong to a chemical family named per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which is in the spotlight in the USA. OEHHA is considering⁴ adding other PFASs on CA Proposition 65 list. Companies should be aware of the potential uses of these substances in their products.

[1]  OEHHA’s notice

[2]  CA Proposition 65 chemical list

[3]  Evidence on the carcinogenicity of PFOS and Its Salts and Transformation and Degradation Precursors

[4]  OEHHA considers listing other PFASs