California to Consider Listing PFOA, PFOS, n-Hexane, and Nickel under Prop 65

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) announced that the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee (DARTIC) of OEHHA’s Science Advisory Board will consider whether perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and it salts, perfluorooctane  sulfonate (PFOS) and its salts, n-hexane, and nickel and nickel compounds should be listed as reproductive toxicants under Proposition 65.  The DARTIC is an expert panel, whose members are appointed by the Governor, tasked with identifying chemicals that have been clearly shown through scientifically valid testing according to generally accepted principles to cause reproductive toxicity for purposes of potential listing under Proposition 65.  Proposition 65—also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986—prohibits knowingly exposing any individual to a listed chemical without first providing a “clear and reasonable warning” to such individual. 

The public may submit information to OEHHA through April 4, 2016, for consideration during the preparation of reproductive toxicity hazard identification materials for PFOA and PFOS and their respective salts, n-hexane, and nickel and nickel compounds. More information, including how to submit comments, can be found on OEHHA’s website.