"This mouse has been found to cause cancer in laboratory people"

[partial_reality]

So D. was in urgent need of a new mouse. It was late. We went to CVS and got the only one they had -- a $9 optical mouse. Nine bucks for a mouse? Not bad, eh? Well, that is until you get around to reading the fine print on the package...

Comments

[wouch]

Aah...the CA Prop 65 warning.

Everything here gets that label, you'll see it in gas stations, malls, pharmacies, restaurants. Prop 65 chemicals include areca nut, gasoline and diesel exhaust, secondhand smoke, the Pill, steroids, aspirin. It's probably the brominated flame retardant in that mouse that triggers the warning.

I'm not sure if it's making people more or less careful about chemical use. The current 18-page list http://www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/Newlist.html

[partial_reality]

Is there lead in brominated flame retardant? I'm still unclear why lead would be needed at all in an electrical cord, and even if it is used, why would it be on the surface?

[wouch]

It's not the lead in the cord, actually.

Just this persistent PBDE stuff that's been found in serum and breast milk across America. It is mixed into a lot of rubber and plastic materials. http://www.ewg.org/issues/siteindex/issues.php?issueid=5008

[partial_reality]

I'm still confused, though. Why would the warning specifically mention lead if it's actually warning about PBDEs?

[anonymous]

I had a pair of headphones with the same warning. Unless you're a woman who's pregnant I think your personal risk from a little bit of lead is pretty low.

[udoswald]

Oops, that was me.

[yearlongwinter]

That warning is on Christmas lights, too.

[partial_reality]

At least you don't have to constantly handle Christmas lights.

[russinsb]

I used to be around lead alot, and I haven't developed cancer. Then again, I also have no eyebrows. hmmm....