California’s Prop 65 and Diethyl Sulfate Public Health Concerns

LA Testing provides analytical services to protect the public and help businesses comply with California’s Proposition 65.

Garden Grove, CA

In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address increasing concerns about 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 diethyl sulfate, a colorless, oily liquid that is primarily insoluble in water.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Diethyl sulfate is primarily used as an ethylating agent, and also as an accelerator in the sulfation of ethylene and in some sulfonations. Diethyl sulfate is also a chemical intermediate for ethyl derivatives of phenols, amines, and thiols, and as an alkylating agent.” Most common exposure routes for this chemical are by dermal contact or inhalation during its industrial use. Exposure can also occur in the ambient environment from fugitive emissions.

The EPA has not classified diethyl sulfate with respect to potential carcinogenicity, but the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified it as a Group 2A, probably carcinogenic to humans.

“More research is needed on the health and environmental impact of diethyl sulfate,” reported Ben Sublasky, National Director of Client Services for LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, a leading environmental testing laboratory. “Diethyl sulfate is a high volume chemical with production exceeding a million pounds annually in the United States. We do know that limiting exposure to workers and the general public is important and the chemical is listed on California’s Prop 65 list. LA Testing can help prevent exposure with testing for this industrial chemical,” he continued.

LA Testing provides environmental and exposure testing services for diethyl sulfate. To learn more about 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

Ben Sublasky

National Director of Clients Services/Operations Manager

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail