this product is known to the state of california to cause cancer

Greg Bernhardt

I just bought a rather "cheap" lamp from Target and when I unpack it I find a sheet of paper with the warning "this product is known to the state of california to cause cancer". Well isn't that great. thanks a lot! There is a little tag on the electrical cord that says I should wash my hands after each use. What the heck is going on? Anyone know anything about this. Is it an overreaction or something I should throw out?

Evo

Buwahaha. California is a different world. Does it give any explanation?

trollcast

I bought a fly reel (I think; I know it was fishing related) and it had the same message.

Its so the product can be sold in california due to some law they have called Proposition 65.

List of chemicals the law covers: http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_li...ngle062212.pdf

ModusPwnd

This is the insulation of the electrical cord right? That is where the lead is IIRC. Christmas lights used to have the same warning. Dont rub the insulation and lick your fingers... :P

Ivan Seeking

As long as it doesn't cause cancer in your State, don't worry about it!

Yes, it must be lead in the insulation.

lisab

No, don't throw it out. That's Prop 65 you're seeing. I deal with it at work from time to time.

I work in the wood products industry. We have to label wood in the same way, since wood dust is a carcinogen. So that nice wood floor under your toes is (technically) carcinogenic and requires a warning label!

But seriously, what the warning doesn't address is dose. That label is simply a binary, yes-no answer to, "Can this product cause cancer?" But the real info you need to make an informed decision is, what is the dose you're exposed to, and what is a dangerous dose? This is why Prop 65 is a dumb regulation, IMO. It doesn't give you the right information.

Btw, lead is on the Prop 65 list (see it here) but IARC's evaluation is as follows:

summary:
http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monogr.../mono87-10.pdf
full:
http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monogr...l87/mono87.pdf

cobalt124

We get those in the U.K. Just don't use it in California.

Evo

How many lamps would Greg have to eat in one sitting in order to reach unacceptable levels of lead in his body?

russ_watters

Results inconclusive: No cancer detected, however subject died of lead poisoning prior to conclusion of trial.

Evo

StevieTNZ

I'll buy 12!

I also assume such a warning is in any ads for this product..... if you don't want the cancer, can you get a refund?

tahayassen

Well said.

NemoReally

Does the sky in California have a warning label? I merely ask because sunlight is known to cause cancer, rain is pretty hazardous - water is known to cause drowning - and don't get me started on oxygen!

CompuChip

Let's hope no California officials read that post NemoReally!

NemoReally

I can offer to do some publicly-financed research for them. You know, like hang around on the beach for several hours at a time or check for differences in the mountains, particularly during the ski season.

QuarkCharmer

Beryllium lamp with an asbestos shade?

If it came with a lamp/bulb it might just be a warning about that.

FlexGunship

Do not OD on lamp cord.