CALIFORNIA HAS LISTED FURFURYL ALCOHOL AS A CARCINOGEN IN PROPOSITION 65

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is adding Furfuryl Alcohol (CAS No. 98-00-0) to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer for purposes of the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65). The listing took effect on the 30th of September 2016.

Substance Introduction

ChemicalCAS No.Toxicological EndpointListing Mechanism*
Furfuryl Alcohol98-00-0cancerAB (US EPA)

Listing mechanism: AB – “authoritative bodies” mechanism (Title 27, Cal. Code of Regs. section 25306).

Furfuryl alcohol is not only an important organic chemical raw material which can be used in the production of furfural resin, furan resin, furfuryl alcohol – urea-formaldehyde resin, and phenolic resin, but it is also a good solvent for varnish pigment . It can also be used as a rocket fuel . In addition, it can also be used in the synthetic fibers, rubber, and pesticides industries.

CA 65 Introduction

Proposition 65 the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 was enacted as a ballot initiative in November 1986. The Proposition was intended by its authors to protect California citizens and the State’s drinking water sources from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm and to inform citizens about exposure to such chemicals. In theory all products containing hazardous substances within the scope of its control including but not limited to Electrical and electronic products, textile products, toys, food contact materials, jewelry products, and home decorating products.

Proposition 65 requires the state to maintain and update a list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive problems.

CTI Suggestion

California’s proposition 65 does not set limits for each material rather interested parties should refer to the existing lawsuit aimed at this kind of product. Enterprise should compare the existing lawsuit for substances control requirements and focus on newly added substances and risky chemicals in order to reduce the risk of litigation companies are suggested to conduct a supply chain survey and perform testing if necessary.