Why do my shoes say cancer and reproductive harm?

Why do my shoes say cancer and reproductive harm?

The labels read, “This product may contain lead, a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.”

Do shoes cause cancer?

6 Boot and shoe manufacture and repair: Linked to increased risk of nasal cancer and leukaemia, due to exposure to suspected carcinogens such as leather dust, benzene and other solvents, yet the risk of cancer in shoe manufacturing may vary depending on the duration and level of exposure.

What does California Prop 65 apply to?

Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. These chemicals can be in the products that Californians purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment.

Is Prop 65 clothing safe?

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has conducted studies on this dye and found that not only does it absorb into the skin faster than other dyes, but its carcinogenic properties make it one of the more dangerous chemicals in your clothing.

Are Prop 65 warnings serious?

WARNING: Handling the cord on this product will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause [cancer, and] birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Is Prop 65 only for California?

The Prop 65 program is administered by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), which is part of the California Environmental Protection Agency. Prop 65 applies to all products sold in California from stores, through the mail, and on the internet.

What are the penalties for violating Proposition 65?

If they do not provide a warning and exposures to chemicals occur through use of their products, companies can be subject to lawsuits from private citizens, consumer advocacy groups, district attorneys, the California Attorney General’s Office or others. Penalties can be as much as $2,500 “per violation per day.”

Who is the cancer survivor from Proposition 65?

However, Delson himself is a cancer survivor and still uses products with the Proposition 65 label: “I take cancer very seriously, I’m 11 years cancer free, but I personally don’t get alarmed because I know there are risks in everything we do in life.”

Are there any warnings on products in California?

After 29 years, most Californians will tell you they see this warning everywhere. But online shopping is taking it beyond California state lines to the rest of the country, as some nationwide companies opt to put the warning on all products to safeguard against the penalty all together.