USA - California Intends to List Chemicals under Proposition 65

​The California Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) intends to list the following chemicals as known to the state to cause cancer under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65):

- ​Tetrahydrofuran (CAS RN 109-99-9) - mainly acts as an industrial solvent for making polyvinyl chloride (PVC), primary ingredient in PVC adhesives, PVC reactor cleaning and PVC film casting. It is also used as a laboratory chemical, cleaning agent, in coatings such as cellophane and PVC top coating.

- 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (CAS RN 103-11-7) - is used as a raw material to make adhesives, coatings, construction materials, acrylic rubber, and emulsions

- Methyl acrylate (CAS RN 96-33-3) - is used in the manufacture of leather finish resins, textile and paper coatings, plastic films, vitamin B1 and as a chemical intermediate.

- Trimethylolpropane triacrylate, technical grade - is used to manufacture adhesives, plastics, acrylic glue and ink.

This action is being proposed pursuant to the "Labor Code" listing mechanism. OEHHA has determined that each of these substances meets the criteria for listing by this mechanism.

OEHHA is asking for comment until July26, as to whether the chemicals identified above meet the requirements for listing as causing cancer specified in Health and Safety Code.