U.S./California – OEHHA Adds PFNA and Its Salts to Proposition 65 List

Vol. 1282 | 03 Jan 2022

On December 31, 2021, the California EPA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment added perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and its salts to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause male reproductive toxicity under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, also known as Proposition 65 (Prop 65).

A public meeting was held on December 14, 2021, where the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee (DARTIC) in its official capacity as the “state’s qualified experts” determined that perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and its salts were scientifically proven to be reproductive toxins based on male endpoints through validation testing according to generally accepted principles.

Exposure that takes place less than 12 months subsequent to PFNA and its salts’ listing on Prop65 list are exempt from the Prop 65 warning label requirements. Hence, beginning December 31, 2022 under Prop 65, companies with 10 or more employees manufacturing, distributing or selling the product(s) containing PFNA or its salts where exposure is over the “safe harbor level” will be required to provide a clear and reasonable warning for that product.

PFNA is similar in the use and function to Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and can be used in water and stain repellent finishes.

A complete, updated Proposition 65 chemical list is available on the OEHHA website at: https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list

Listing Notice for PFNA and its Salts: https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/crnr/listingnoticepfnaitssalts123121.pdf

For questions, please contact Dr. Stella Li (xingyu.li@intertek.com, +1- 503-351-9612), or Dr. Pratik Ichhaporia (pratik.ichhaporia@intertek.com, +1-847-212-8273).