Proposition 65 Compliance Evaluation for Zinc Alloy Products

OUR CHALLENGE

A manufacturer of zinc alloy products needed to assess compliance with California’s Proposition 65 due to the presence of cadmium and lead—both Proposition 65-listed chemicals—in their products. The challenge was to evaluate potential consumer exposures across different demographics (children, adults, and workers) for various routes of exposure, including oral mouthing, dermal absorption, hand-to-mouth transfer, and inhalation, to determine whether the products met Proposition 65 Safe Harbor Limits. 

OUR APPROACH

We conducted a thorough evaluation of potential exposures to cadmium and lead from multiple representative zinc alloy products. Key steps included: 

• Researching and applying appropriate exposure models and parameter values to assess contaminant intakes across different exposure pathways. 

• Modeling exposures for various groups, including children, adults, and workers, to capture potential risks from oral mouthing, dermal absorption, hand-to-mouth transfer, and inhalation. 

• Reviewing relevant regulatory guidelines and scientific literature to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the exposure models used in the evaluation. 

• Providing recommendations to the client on whether product labeling was required under Proposition 65. 

OUR IMPACT

Our assessment provided the manufacturer with a clear understanding of potential consumer and worker exposures to cadmium and lead from their zinc alloy products. We delivered detailed findings that helped the client determine whether their products met Proposition 65 compliance standards. The analysis supported informed decision-making regarding product labeling.