Cancer and reproductive harm from bike tool
 

This warning is on the package for my Topeak chain tool. There is no explanation. It makes no sense to me. I went to the mentioned web site and searched for topeak and found nothing. Any ideas? I'm going to dismiss this as silly, but if anyone knows anything, I will still find it interesting.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dafa41aeff.jpg

It probably contains metals or alloys containing zinc, chrome and/or lead or similar heavy metals. I have a brass hammer which had a similar label.

One word: California

It does strike me that if every product sold has a label like this, then the label is ineffective for all products.

So you sell dioxin toothpaste and plutonium teething rings*, and people see the warning and ignore it.

*I owe these examples to my particular friend, Tony Winter.

Unfortunately, this is true.

It is a classic example of unintended consequences of a poorly-written but (presumably) well-intended law.

Not wanting to be sued or prosecuted, it is far easier just to stick those warnings on everything, regardless of how inert it is. Since these warnings now appear on everything from pet rocks to bottled spring water, they are absolutely meaningless and completely ignored by everyone.

Being slightly more charitable, it might be that the plastic contains some questionable precursor, even if it is perfectly safe as a chain tool handle (assuming it has any plastic on it).

/\ This.

It's worse if you drink coffee while using the tool.

And yes, Callifornia.

It might cause reproductive harm if the chain repair is done incorrectly and you have a high top tube.

For things to be sold in California They have to put a warning label on... everything is toxic to someone, so cue printing the CYA stickers..

Now go wash your hands..

Most likely the warning is there because of carbon black. Carbon black is carcinogenic in particles of respirable size. It is also in nearly every plastic or rubber compound that is colored black because of the superior UV resistance that carbon black provides.

Because product manufacturers don't always know how the product will be used or misused, it is easier to add the warning label than to assume the liability if someone drills, grinds, or abrades the part and turns the solid into respirable particles.

Yup, as stated above, it’s unintentional consequence of California Proposition 65. Not only is it on packaging but often posted on store entry doors.

You should avoid eating it at all costs. Please.

Regardless of how poorly it may have been written, there might be a silver lining. If manufacturers put enough warnings on products it might slow down the massive class action advertising to build a large enough block of potential plaintiffs to be able to squeeze corporations into settling regardless if there is merit.

This has become one of the more exploited tactics for product liability lawyers to make a killing. Just advertise... “If you or a loved one used product XYZ and were diagnosed with any significant medical condition you may be eligible for significant compensation. Just call the ...”

John

The idiocy that it Prop 65 is so widespread that it has infected everything. I couldn't order a steel BB wrench or a ControlTech CF seatpost off of Amazon, because some sellers took the warning to imply that they couldn't ship marked items to California. I had them shipped to a buddy in PA, then he mailed the box to me. Virtually anything that arrives in this country from China gets a Prop.65 sticker slapped on it as soon as it comes off the boat.

That goes both ways. I heard about some certain chemical compounds that cause the state of California.

Just last year I responded to one of those, I got a $150 settlement check 6 months later. It was for computer parts.
So, in some cases, it does work...

.
...there are numerous reports on the internet of Campagnolo specific products causing cancer. I thought everyone knew this already ?

...is there no way to satisfy you ? Look at all the Prop 65 sticker printing jobs that were created.

And remember don't smoke either while using this product !!!

I think California should bring back lawn darts and let private citizens own tanks. Prop.65 goes in the same bucket with the California Lumber Fee.

I guess you proved my point.

John

I bought a plain pine (not pressure treated) 2X4 at The Home Depot. It has a sticker on it. EVERYTHING gets stickers now, so now the stickers become meaningless.

... a tank would look so cool on my front lawn. I would be willing to re-landscape for that. :)

The P65 warning is all most of us ever see, and it's a weird unintended consequence that's hard to remove. But P65 was a reaction to a real problem, and resulted in a real reduction of toxic ingredients and emissions.

Yeah, but the problem is that the current 120mm ammunition for an M1A2 Abrams isn't compatible with any of my other field pieces. :foo:

Would shorten any squabbles with the neighbors significantly, though. The last time my neighbor decides to mow his lawn just as we are enjoying sunset and drinks on the deck...

A Warning Label: "The US Secretary of Defense has determined that this product contains elements that render moot any warnings about cancer and reproductive harm."