56 Chemicals to Be Added to Toxics List

Gov. George Deukmejian’s scientific advisory panel Friday voted to add 56 chemicals to the list of substances known to cause cancer, including aflatoxins, molds commonly found in peanut butter, and formaldehyde, which is used in manufacturing a wide range of consumer products.

The panel, appointed by the governor to decide which substances will be covered by Proposition 65, also voted to list a chemical used in making a host of plastic goods, including baby pacifiers, and another substance used in most hair dyes.

The committee’s action could lead to consumer warnings for some products if the chemicals are deemed by the state to pose a “significant” risk to the public. Ultimately, under Proposition 65, if the chemicals present a hazard to drinking water supplies, use of the substances could be restricted.

The chemicals considered by the panel at Friday’s meeting ranged from obscure, little-known carcinogens with tongue-twister names to chemicals, such as formaldehyde, that are found in products ranging from toothpaste to mobile homes.

However, the panel, while adding the 56 substances to the state’s list, rejected a proposal to speed up the listing of other chemicals by recognizing the U.S. Public Health Services’ National Toxicology Program as an “authoritative body” on carcinogens.

Instead, the panel agreed to continue considering each of the chemicals individually to decide which should be placed on the list, using the findings of the federal health agency as a guide.

Deukmejian, who was unwilling to put more than 29 chemicals on his initial list, has agreed to abide by the recommendations of his panel.

136 Chemicals on List

With Friday’s action the panel has now recognized 136 chemicals as causing cancer or birth defects--far fewer than the 230 substances identified in the initiative approved a year ago by the state’s voters. The remainder of the chemicals will be considered by the panel in the coming months.

Placement of these chemicals on the list means that businesses will be required to warn the public of exposure to “significant” amounts of the substances beginning a year after they are formally placed on the list. Within 20 months, discharge of unsafe amounts of a listed substance into drinking water supplies will be prohibited.

What constitutes a significant risk is a controversial question that must be addressed for each chemical. The state Health and Welfare Agency is developing guidelines that will be used in defining significant risk.

In setting risk levels, the regulators draw extensively on results of experiments done on laboratory animals as well as any other research linking the chemicals to cancer in humans.

Naturally Occurring

Aflatoxins, the molds commonly found in peanut grains and other foods, are naturally occurring contaminants. However, the amount of aflatoxins can increase significantly if raw peanuts and grains are not properly stored after harvest.

Americans consume an estimated .15 to .50 micrograms of aflatoxins daily, according to the National Toxicology Program.

“There’s a much better case for aflatoxins being a carcinogen than many other substances,” said Bruce Ames, a member of the panel who was a leading opponent last year of Proposition 65.

Michael Hodge, a spokesman for the American Peanut Manufacturers, asked the panel to delay a decision on listing aflatoxins until the state adopts a proposed regulation that would exempt naturally occurring carcinogens. Under the proposed regulation, an increase in aflatoxins as a result of improper storage would not be considered a natural contamination.

Sweeping Ramifications

Nevertheless, the panel rejected the peanut industry’s request, noting that the regulation is likely to take effect long before any warning labels would be required.

The addition of formaldehyde gas to the list potentially has sweeping ramifications, since it is used in a large variety of items, including wood products, textiles, paper, cosmetics, home furnishings, air fresheners and toothpaste. The use of formaldehyde in the construction of mobile homes has been of particular concern in recent years because the chemical can reach dangerous levels.

Another chemical added to the list, Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate is similarly ubiquitous in the environment.

It is a chemical used to make plastic flexible and is found in a variety of products, such as baby pacifiers, car seats, toys, shower curtains and raincoats. It is also used in making medical supplies, such as flexible bags for intravenous fluids.

The panel also voted to list 3,4-Diaminoanisole sulfate, a carcinogen used in about 75% of all hair dyes.