Disney merchandise and cancer warnings...

[horner5]

I have been wondering this since our last trip and I just have to ask:
Why are there all of those cancer warning labels on the merchandise that Disney sells-it's not everything, by any means, but it seems to be limited to the houseware items. I fell in love with the waffle makers and the toasters, but once I read the cancer label, there was no way I was going to buy them. Now I got an email from Disney Direct about their new bedding sets. Cute stuff. However, one of the lamps has that same warning in red under the product description. Is this something to take seriously or not?

What's your take on it?

 

[BabkaGal]

Hi!

I'm not sure about the cancer warnings on everything, but the waffle-makers may have the warning on it because of Teflon (the non-stick coating). I think there is some sort of study that says it can be hazardous. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think CA requires some of these warnings on all products sold in CA these days.

But I have a feeling that most of these warnings are just an easy way for Disney to protect itself from any frivoulous lawsuits down the line. After all, it is a huge company with very deep pockets. It is a lot like the McDonalds "Caution: VERY HOT" warnings on their coffee cups. I wouldn't worry about it too much...I would just my your common sense on it.

--Babka Gal

 

[campingcorgi]

I see those warnings a lot on the strings of holiday lights. Maybe it is the electrical cords--lead?

 

[rflorek]

"In the State of California there exists what is referred to as "Proposition 65". Proposition 65 is the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. Any company that operates in California, sells products in California, or manufactures products that may be sold in or brought into California is subject to Proposition 65.

Proposition 65 requires warning labels on any product that may contain any of 600-plus elements that the California Air Resources Board considers a carcinogen or a reproductive toxicant. These elements include lead, brass, PVC and a multitude of other everyday elements.

Many of the elements listed under Proposition 65 are common everyday items. The list of elements keeps changing and is periodically updated. Elements are added to the list, some elements are removed. It is excessively difficult to keep track of the changing list of elements. Therefore, it is easier to place warning labels on products even when they do not contain elements listed under Proposition 65.

There are penalties for not complying with Proposition 65. Failure to label products can result in a civil penalty of $2500 per day. The state of California allows private individuals to act as bounty hunters to seek products not having appropriate warning labels. These bounty hunters receive a percentage of whatever fine is imposed on the violator. The violator of Proposition 65 could be the manufacturer, distributor or retailer of the offending product.

A company can be served with a Proposition 65 violation even if they do not do business in California themselves. If their product is sold or is purchased outside the Sate of California and brought into California, the company may still be found in violation."

 

[horner5]

Thanks for the replies. It was one of those burning questions I have wanted to ask for months! Maybe now I might feel better about possibly buying one of the waffle makers on my next visit!

 

[Tigger113]

Even when you go into hotels and other places in Ca. they have posting saying something to the effect of "possible cancer causing agents in buildings"! Makes you really want to eat/sleep there!

 

[bytheblood]

I know a lady who has never smoked a cigarette in her life and has never lived in a house with smokers, yet she has lung cancer and has been treated via chemo and radiation treatments for about 7 months now...she still suffers with the cancer.

I am not preaching to you, but I do not think I would let it alarm me too much. We each are appointed to die at a certain time and there is nothing you can do to stop that. If you are not meant to have cancer, these items will not give you cancer. If your body is going to have cancer, not purchasing these items isn't going to aid that in not happening.