Notice to Change the Basis for Listing for: 2-Chloropropionic Acid, N,N'-Dimethylacetamide, 4-Vinyl-Cyclohexene and Vinyl Cyclohexene Dioxide as Known to the State of California to Cause Reproductive Toxicity

Effective December 20, 2013, the basis for the listing of the following four chemicals under Proposition 65² as known to cause reproductive toxicity is the state’s qualified experts mechanism:  2-chloropropionic acid, N,N’-dimethylacetamide, 4-vinyl-cyclohexene and vinyl cyclohexene dioxide.  These four chemicals were originally added to the Proposition 65 list as causing reproductive toxicity via the “Labor Code mechanism” pursuant to Labor Code Section 6382(d), which is incorporated by reference in Health and Safety Code Section 25249.8(a).  Based on changes to certain federal regulations that affect the basis for the original listings of these chemicals as causing reproductive toxicity, the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) referred the chemicals to the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee (DART IC) for reconsideration.  In its official capacity as the “state’s qualified experts” at a public meeting held on November 21, 2013, the DART IC determined that the four chemicals have been clearly shown, through scientifically valid testing according to generally accepted principles, to cause reproductive toxicity and should remain on the Proposition 65 list.  Regulations governing the listing of chemicals by the DART IC are set out in Title 27, California Code of Regulations, section 25305(b)(1).

The effective dates of listing as known to cause reproductive toxicity remain unchanged:  August 1, 2008 for vinyl cyclohexene dioxide, August 7, 2009 for 2‑chloropropionic acid and 4-vinyl-cyclohexene, and May 21, 2010 for N,N’‑dimethylacetamide.

In summary, the chemicals in the table below are being retained on the Proposition 65 list as known to the State to cause reproductive toxicity.

Chemical Reference

• 4-Vinylcyclohexene
• 2-Chloropropionic Acid
• N,N-Dimethylacetamide
• Vinyl cyclohexene dioxide (4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene diepoxide)

Meeting Announcements/Information

• November 21, 2013 Meeting of the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee

Footnotes and References

¹SQE: State’s Qualified Experts

² The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly known as Proposition 65, is codified in Health and Safety Code section 25249.5 et seq.

³General endpoint of male reproductive toxicity added by the DART IC.