California’s Prop 65 and Public Health Concerns over Hexavalent Compounds

Garden Grove, CA, October 8, 2012
 
In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address increasing concerns over exposure to toxic chemicals. That initiative, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is better known by its original name of Proposition 65. 
 
Proposition 65 requires businesses to notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals in the products they purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment.  This list includes hexavalent compounds from chromium, which were added to the Prop 65 list in 1987. 
 
Hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium VI, is a toxic form of the element chromium. Hexavalent chromium compounds are man-made and widely used in many different industries.  Industrial uses include chromate pigments, chromates added as anticorrosive agents to coatings, and chromic acid electroplated onto metal parts. Hexavalent chromium can also be formed when performing tasks such as welding on stainless steel or melting chromium metal.
 
LA Testing offers testing services to identify hexavalent chromium coumpounds.  Testing can help prevent worker exposure to this potentially harmful material found in numerous industries and is created in many construction projects that involve welding. 
 
“Workplace exposure to hexavalent chromium may cause cancer and irritation to workers exposed to this material,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “OSHA has developed standards regarding worker exposure to hexavalent chromium and LA Testing can help companies comply with these standards.  Occupational exposure testing can help to accurately determine if this material poses a threat to workers,” he continued.  
 
LA Testing has sponsored an educational video about hexavalent chromium that can be seen at:
http://youtu.be/1G8bq7rM5w8
 
To learn more about testing for hexavalent chromium or other Proposition 65 testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. 
 
About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com