CA Prop 65

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containing jewelry in their mouths also may be significantly exposed to cadmium. The federal
government also has begun investigating the cadmium content of drinking glasses. Cadmium
also may be present in decorative paints used to make some glassware, pottery, and similar
crafts.
Small amounts of cadmium are sometimes detected in water and in food. Cadmium is present
in foods such as liver, kidneys, and shellfish, and occasionally in plant crops grown using soil or
water that contains high amounts of cadmium. U.S. soils contain very little natural cadmium, but
cadmium may build up in the soil due to the application of contaminated water, fertilizer, or
sludge.
What are the health effects of cadmium exposure?
Exposure to very low levels of cadmium does not present a significant health risk.
Multiple studies in humans suggest that prolonged cadmium exposure may also cause lung,
prostate, and kidney cancer. One study of workers showed that exposure to high levels of
cadmium raised the risk of cancer, and harmed liver and kidney function. Significant exposure to
cadmium during pregnancy may affect the development of the fetus or result in low birth weight.
In men, cadmium exposure may affect sperm maturation, and build up in the tissue of the male
reproductive system.
Other research found workers who breathed large amounts of cadmium dust suffered lung
damage. Some workers lost their sense of smell from breathing lower levels of cadmium dust.
What does it mean that cadmium is on California’s Proposition 65 list?
Cadmium is on the Proposition 65 list because it is known to cause cancer, developmental and
reproductive harm.
This means that businesses must provide a warning if they manufacture or sell products that
cause exposures to significant amounts of cadmium. The most common places for such
warnings to appear are product labels and retail store shelves. Businesses whose operations
could expose the public to significant amounts of cadmium must also provide warnings. Many
businesses subject to this requirement provide the warning periodically in newspaper
advertisements. Finally, significant amounts of cadmium cannot be discharged into drinking
water sources.
Businesses that do not provide the required warning or that discharge the chemical into sources
of drinking water may face civil lawsuits brought by state or local prosecutors or members of the
public.