[CleanerCarpets]

I had some Chemspec fast drying upholstery cleaner delivered today and was shocked to see it have a warning on it saying - 'this product contains an ingredient known by the State of California to cause cancer'

Seeing as this product is designed to be used on upholstery and not rinsed out what is that all about? Should we be wearing gloves to handle it? Is it safe for customers?

On Googling it it looks like Chemspec were fined about these product usages and made to add that label so it is worrying - can someone clarify what the problem ingredient is?

[stuart_clark]

The instructionson the P O G  label used to say may cause cancer that wss a few years ago but  they have removed it from the label now, not sure its any safer mind you

[Neil Jones]

Julie was discussing this on the course I was on in February. If I remember her correctly she said that by law in California they have to state if a product can cause cancer or something, I think it applied to a vast majority of products that we use daily that you'd never think of.

[David Ware]

In fairness to Chemspec they might have to satisfy all of the different states in the USA. If the same criteria was applied to all carpet cleaning producers in this country we could be in for a shock. 
David

[John Kelly]

California has the  strictest laws of anywhere in the world. Anything which has even the slightest risk has to be disclosed. A lot of products in everyday use over here would be banned in California. A lot of everyday things contain carcinogens including carpets and upholstery, the fillings and foam off gas many dangerous compounds such as formaldahide. Its always sensible to take precautions when using any cleaning products, gloves especially.

[Mike Halliday]

Red smarties are banned in California as the dye used can cause cancer

[CleanerCarpets]

Thanks for the replies - interesting

[John Klucznik]

If its on the label or the MSDS its because they are required to show a harmful ingredient and its percentage. Why use something like that unless it is absolutely needed and that you are protected with gloves, eyes and whatever else is required for your safety. Remember certain chem can be absorbed through your skin.

[bennymon]

As half of my family have died of cancer I won't be taking any unnecessary risks for the sake of cleaning a carpet the pog will be disposed off thanks for the warning.  del

[CleanerCarpets]

it does make you wonder about what we use - is the state of California OTT or should we think more about some of this stuff?

[Ian Gourlay]

My 91 year old Mum recond my Cancer was caused by the Chemicals we use.

I said I do not think so as I was late starter

But you never know

My Doctors advised not to start again due to my immune system being put back to that of a baby.  But that was more dirt , dust and people reasons

My brother in law was a car body repair specialist in Canada and built his own Large workshop but we do not think it had the requred ventilation etc and like m y Mum we believe it was the paint sprays that caused his brain to go.

[Tadgh O Shea]

No the state of California is not OTT, you should think more about what you use and always check the safety data sheet of the products you choose.

[homenclean]

Saw on sugar substitute packet in Turks and Caicos that it was labelled as could cause cancer, imported from the states. Every one in USA scared to death of been sued.

[cleantech]

chemspec enzall also has this warning...bit strange really considering you can consume cannabis legally and freely in california. 

[Peter Sweeney]

But cannabis doesnt cause cancer.

[davep]

Crashing your car when all doped out does kill you  

[Kev Martin]

We import and sell Aqua Mix Products from California and I have to say they go to the other end of the World on safety issues and labelling.  IMHO they take it to the Nth degree.  In fact I am convinced some of the UK HSA are trained in California it is getting that ridiculous and if you think it's bad now wait until the New reach regulations come out in January 15.

e.g. Aqua Mix Phosphoric Acid Substitute says on the bottle recommend wear gloves, mask etc when using but the content strength and dilutions of Phosphoric Acid in the product is lower than in Coca Cola.

So think on next time you are pouring a can of Coke down your neck!

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics

[cleantech]

But cannabis doesnt cause cancer.

[/quotfe]

No but smoking does