parveen travels: California's Prop 65 and Public Health Concerns over Methyl Isocyanate

Saturday, February 16, 2013

California's Prop 65 and Public Health Concerns over Methyl Isocyanate

WEBWIRE ? Friday, February 15, 2013

Garden Grove, CA, February 15, 2013
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In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address increasing concerns over exposure to toxic chemicals. That initiative, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is better known by its original name of Proposition 65.?
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Proposition 65 requires businesses to notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals in the products they purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment. This list includes methyl isocyanate (MIC) which was added to the Prop 65 list in November of 2010.
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Methyl isocyanate, chemical formula C2H3NO, is a colorless liquid with a strong odor.? It is also a highly reactive volatile and flammable chemical.??
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According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ?Methyl isocyanate is used to produce carbamate pesticides. Methyl isocyanate is extremely toxic to humans from acute (short-term) exposure.? In Bhopal, India, accidental acute inhalation exposure to methyl isocyanate resulted in the deaths of about 3,800 people and adverse health effects in greater than 170,000 survivors.?
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?Occupational exposure to methyl isocyanate may occur with workers who use insecticides and herbicides produced from methyl isocyanate,? reported Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing?s Garden Grove facility. ?Methyl isocyanate has even been detected in cigarette smoke.? The California Environmental Protection Agency, or Cal/EPA, has calculated a chronic inhalation reference exposure level of 0.001 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) based on lung and body weight effects in rats.?
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To learn more about testing for methyl isocyanate or other Proposition 65 testing services please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.?
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About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.? LA Testing has laboratories throughout California to service commercial clients and government agencies as well as the general public.