Proposition 65 Review of Painted Kettlebells
Blue Lakes Iron kettlebells are manufactured via metalcasting of gray iron and then powder coated. A review of the components, as listed on the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for the gray iron and the powder coating, against California’s Proposition 65 list was performed. Based on this review, it has been determined that a Proposition 65 warning is not required for this product.
What is Proposition 65?
The California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, otherwise known as “Proposition 65” is a “Right to Know” law, whose purpose is to ensure the public is informed about the potential exposure to chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
Proposition 65 requires the State of California to publish a list of these chemicals. The law also requires companies to provide a warning on their products and/or packaging if they contain these chemicals. Chemicals on this list can be found in many everyday items. A warning must be given if the listed chemical is present in a product unless it can be demonstrated that the chemical poses “no significant risk.”.
Gray Iron Evaluation
Gray iron is primarily comprised of iron with small amounts of other naturally occurring elements. Of the components listed on the SDS, nickel, hexavalent chromium and crystalline silica are on the Proposition 65 list due to carcinogenicity. However, as discussed below, a Proposition 65 warning is not necessary for the kettlebell:
Nickel – nickel is listed as a component of Gray Iron at a concentration of 0.01 to 1.5 wt%. Nickel has been shown to cause lung cancer and nasal tumors through the route of inhalation and it is on the Proposition 65 list for cancer. However, Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations Section 12707(b)(5), states that for purposes of Proposition 65, nickel and nickel compounds present no significant risk of cancer by the route of ingestion. Since there is no potential for the inhalation of nickel from this product during its use, no warning is necessary.
Hexavalent Chromium – hexavalent chromium is not a component of Gray Iron. As stated on the SDS, “When chromium is heated to high temperatures, which may occur during welding and thermal cutting of this product, it may oxidize to form hexavalent chromium. In the product as sold, chromium is in the elemental form.” Elemental chromium is not on the Proposition 65 list and therefore, based on this information, no warning is necessary.
Crystalline silica – crystalline silica is not a component of Gray Iron. As stated on the SDS, “Castings that have not been cleaned may contain embedded sand which may release respirable crystalline silica dust during processing.” Since the kettlebell is in its final form and has undergone a cleaning prior to powder coating, no warning is necessary. The Proposition 65 cancer warning for crystalline silica is for airborne respirable particles only.
Carbide Black Micro - Powdura® Hybrid Powder Coating Evaluation
A review of the SDS for Carbide Black Micro shows that it contains small amounts of Carbon Black (<1wt%) and Crystalline Silica, respirable powder (<0.3 wt%), both of which are listed on the Proposition 65 list due to carcinogenicity. However, both are listed as “airborne particles of respirable size”. Since the powder coating will be dried and cured with no mechanism for airborne release during the product’s use, a Proposition 65 warning is not needed.