Proposition 65

While in California with Jared, I had been shown a sign posted as "Proposition 65." What is this about? 



PROPOSITION 65 IN PLAIN LANGUAGE!
In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address their growing concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals. That initiative became the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, better known by its original name of Proposition 65. Proposition 65 requires the State to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. This list, which must be updated at least once a year, has grown to include approximately 800 chemicals since it was first published in 1987.


Proposition 65 requires businesses to notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals in the products they purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment. By providing this information, Proposition 65 enables Californians to make informed decisions about protecting themselves from exposure to these chemicals. Proposition 65 also prohibits California businesses from knowingly discharging significant amounts of listed chemicals into sources of drinking water.


The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) administers the Proposition 65 program. OEHHA, which is part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA), also evaluates all currently available scientific information on substances considered for placement on the Proposition 65 list.

I started noticing Proposition 65 everywhere, but it seems that Proposition 65 itself has become some­thing of a non-issue in California. The warn­ing signs in the windows of stores, banks, car­washes, gun shops (caution – lead in bul­lets are a known cause of birth defects. No kid­ding, this is real), park­ing garages, and essentially all other pub­lic places (churches? sacramental water & bread?) that they have become invis­i­ble to Californians. Since there is no penalty for post­ing too many signs, every­one posts them every­where.

Starbucks

Really? Not the Happiest Place on Earth.

Not a real big surprise here...

I even saw it posted at the Forest Lawn Cemetery. I guess the dearly departed should be concerned as well.


Still, it was a very fun trip to California! Thanks, my Friend!