CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL E-SSENTIALS

USA: California identified PFOA as Carcinogenic chemical under prop 65

MARCH 2022 - ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS, HARDLINES, SOFTLINES, TOYS AND CHILDREN PRODUCTS

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) announces¹ the addition of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) 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 25 February 2022.  

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. The warning requirement for significant exposures to this chemical will take effect from 25 February 2023. 

PFOA (CAS no. 335-67-1) was added to CA Proposition 65 back in 2017. It is known to cause reproductive toxicity. As of now, OEHHA is adding PFOA because of carcinogenicity. PFOA belongs to the family of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). There are other PFAS identified under the chemical list of Proposition 65. As reported previously, PFOA³ was identified as reproductive toxic. OEHHA  identify other PFAS i.e. PFNA⁴, PFOS⁵.

[1]  OEHHA's notice

[2]  CA Proposition 65 chemical list

[3]  TUV SUD E-ssentials volume 5, 2021 - PFOA

[4]  TUV SUD E-ssentials volume 1, 2022 - PFNA

[5]  TUV SUD E-ssentials volume 1, 2022 - PFOS