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Californias Prop 65 and Public Health Concerns over Methyl Chloride

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 10:03:56 EST

LA Testing provides analytical services to protect the public and help businesses comply with California's Proposition 65.
 
Garden Grove, CA, July 9th, 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 methyl chloride, which was added to the Prop 65 list in 2000. 
 
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 'Low levels of methyl chloride occur naturally in the environment.  Higher levels may occur at chemical plants where it is made or used.  Acute (short-term) exposure to high concentrations of methyl chloride in humans has caused severe neurological effects.  Methyl chloride has also caused effects on the heart rate, blood pressure, liver, and kidneys in humans.  Chronic (long-term) animal studies have shown liver, kidney, spleen, and central nervous system (CNS) effects.  Inhalation studies have demonstrated that methyl chloride causes reproductive effects in male rats, with effects such as testicular lesions and decreased sperm production.  Human cancer data are limited.  EPA has classified methyl chloride as a Group D carcinogen...'
 
LA Testing offers analytical services to identify methyl chloride to help prevent exposure to this potentially harmful chemical.  'Methyl chloride is used in the production of silicones, during the production of agricultural chemicals and other chemical production,' reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc., a network of environmental testing laboratories.  'It is a colorless gas with a faint odor and is soluble in water.  Workers in a number of industries may be exposed to this chemical.  Occupational exposure testing can determine if it is a potential health threat,' he continued.  
 
To learn more about testing for methyl chloride 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.