A Proposition 65 (“Prop 65”) plaintiff has issued the first 60-Day Notice of Violation concerning 4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI). 4-MEI, a chemical compound used to make certain products, is one of the over 850 chemicals on California’s Prop 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm. 4-MEI was placed on the Prop 65 list in
Proposition 65
Teetotalers and Environmentalists Unite! California’s Plaintiffs’ Attorneys Use an Environmental Protection Law to Collect on “Beer Pong” Accessories
By Thomas Woods on
Posted in Proposition 65
Last week a “concerned citizen” acting in the “interest of the general public” filed a rash of Proposition 65 (“Prop 65”) lawsuits against retailers for their sale of drinking game kits in California. Prop 65 threatens to impose penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, plus attorneys’ fees and costs, if a business knowingly and…
California AG sends new letter to Prop 65 plaintiffs’ bar
By Melissa A. Jones on
Posted in Proposition 65
Yesterday the California Attorney General’s office sent a letter to the Proposition 65 plaintiffs’ bar regarding the use of releases in Proposition 65 cases. The AG’s letter noted that it is concerned about releases in Prop 65 cases that have been given “in the public interest.” The letter noted that these releases are typically problematic when they attempt…
Prop 65 Update- Lead in Brass Door Handles
By Melissa A. Jones on
Posted in Proposition 65
Last month, I blogged about lead in brass handrails as a potential new Prop 65 trend. The same plaintiff who issued the Proposition 65 notices concerning brass in handrails at amusement parks (the Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation) has just issued another similar notice. This time, the notice alleges that a large restaurant chain exposed California consumers…
Alleged Lead in Brass Hand Rails: Emerging Prop 65 Trend?
By Melissa A. Jones on
Posted in Proposition 65
Several experienced Proposition 65 plaintiffs filed a high-profile Proposition 65 lawsuit in October regarding alleged lead at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. The lawsuit alleged that various locations in Disneyland and California Adventure contain leaded brass, including hand rails, chains and line dividers, and various items that children are encouraged to play with (such as…
Prop 65: Cadmium Opt-In Deadline is October 21
By Melissa A. Jones on
Posted in Proposition 65
A group of jewelry retailers, manufacturers and suppliers entered into a Proposition 65 settlement agreement with Center for Environmental Health (CEH) several months ago concerning cadmium in jewelry. The settlement was formalized in a consent judgment approved by Alameda Superior Court in CEH v. Aeropostale, Inc.
As in other Prop 65 consent judgments, this…