Proposition 65

Proposition 65 is a law in California, also known as the State Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. Proposition 65 requires the Governor to publish, at least annually, a list of substances known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive harm.

On December 18, 2009, wood dust was added to the list of substances “known to the State of California to cause cancer.” On September 2, 2011, titanium dioxide was also added to the list. Titanium dioxide is found in edge sealers used on many wood products. On March 16, 2012, methanol was added to the list as a chemical “known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm”, wood products can emit some level of methanol.

Once a substance or chemical is listed, businesses have 12 months to comply with the warning. The warning requirement applies to any person employing ten or more employees who manufactures, produces, sells, distributes, or otherwise transfers a wood product into the stream of commerce of California.