California’s Prop 65 and Public Health Concerns over Formaldehyde in Daycare Centers

Garden Grove, CA, November 7, 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 formaldehyde which was added to the Prop 65 list in 1988.
 
Just last month, it was reported that researchers from UC Berkeley found that 9 out of 10 California daycare centers exceeded state safety guidelines for this chemical.  Air and dust samples were taken from 40 daycare centers in Alameda and Monterey counties from 2010 and 2011.  The tests were funded by the California Air Resources Board.
 
“This study shows once again how building materials, furnishings and consumer goods found in indoor environments can emit formaldehyde,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.   “Children are more susceptible to formaldehyde and other indoor pollutants because they are generally believed to be more at risk to exposure to contaminants and toxins and they breathe in more air for their body size than adults.  LA Testing provides sampling supplies and testing services to determine if formaldehyde is present in indoor environments and at what levels.  This information can help determine if changes need to be made to an indoor environment to lower exposure risks to formaldehyde.”
 
LA Testing has sponsored an educational video about formaldehyde in indoor environments that can be seen at:
http://youtu.be/yD4pTC8GVpE
 
To learn more about testing for formaldehyde 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

LA Testing

jfrasca@emsl.com