The State - News from Oct. 27, 1988

Companies that discharge certain toxic chemicals into drinking water sources could be hit with fines of up to $2,500 per day under provisions of Proposition 65, the 1986 anti-toxics measure, which takes effect today.The discharge requirements, the measure’s most far reaching provisions, initially will cover 29 chemicals known to cause cancer in humans. Eventually, the requirements will be applied to more than 200 toxic substances. The measure allows any individual or organization to file an enforcement action against an alleged polluter and collect 25% of whatever penalites are assessed. Other provisions requiring businesses to warn consumers about the presence of substances that cause cancer or birth defects took effect in February.