Interesting Tool Product Warning

[OverKnight]

I just bought the 8" ChannelLock 8SWCB thin-jaw adjustable wrench. The quality is impressive, with the tightest fit I've ever seen on an adjustable wrench. However, at the bottom of the paper package insert, there's a warning that reads, "This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm."

I'm figuring the chemicals are in their "Code Blue" grips, so gloves should be worn when using this wrench. Why would ChannelLock use a material in the grips that could be harmful? We're exposed to enough toxic substances in our garages as it is, and now we need to worry about the tools also? Is this really the only material available for these handles?

 

[L.Cheapo]

Ever been to CA? Pretty much everything has that warning on it. Even buildings. Its to the point where its SO commonplace, no one notices it anymore, which defeats the point.

 

[Mustang1167]

Ever been to CA? Pretty much everything has that warning on it. Even buildings. Its to the point where its SO commonplace, no one notices it anymore, which defeats the point.

Exactly, this warning is put on almost everything for sale.

 

[Pantsfall_McFixit]

I saw this as well. It's on a lot of things nowadays, items that did not have the warning just a few years ago. Tools are not unique in that regard. Most will tell you here not to worry about it, that we're exposed to a lot of bad through other means. The problem with that, is that they're right! We're exposed to bad stuff through everything nowadays, and that's the problem. Instead of using chemicals that "work" we should use alternatives that work and don't harm us, whether we already have them or it needs research.

Most throw up their hands and say deal with it, which is a defeatist attitude. I don't want any additional risk of cancer, especially since the effects of all the stuff we're exposed to are cumulative. I've already lost several family members to it.

 

[Empty Pockets]

The Channel Locks only cause Cancer in California

 

[Derek420]

It's probably just the oil they put on them to stop rust while on shelf. I've noticed a few things like that for that reason. It's probably not the grips as you don't have to wear gloves for that reason but if it says where gloves is just to prevent I jury like snap on does on some tools.

 

[zkling]

I always wonder, why is this only known to California?

 

[Pontiac787]

In CA balsamic vinegar has the same warning. No joke.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

Everything starts in California.

California Air Resources Board (CARB) brought us emissions control systems.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

It is the nature of that particular tool.. If you tighten it too much on a nut, or twist it the wrong direction; someone could definitely turn blue..

 

[170-3tree]

If it doesn't cause cancer in California, it ain't useful.

 

[OverKnight]

I understand what many of you are saying about California; reminds me of a tongue-in-cheek finding that "Laboratory mice have been found to cause cancer". But the truth is, most of the time California has been right. As a cancer survivor who works in a major cancer center, we cannot ignore the effect of so many of the chemicals we work with. P. McFixit is absolutely correct regarding cumulative effects. Derek, you're probably right regarding the oil being the carcinogen rather than the grips; this wrench had more oil on it than any other new wrench I've seen.

 

[Mr_fixit]

Have they figured out how to put that warning on their air yet?

 

[Superbec]

what if they put that warning on the gloves too , how you gonna twist the nuts than?

 

[davewo]

I understand your concern, but nearly everything has a Prop 65 warning. It's a blanket warning and meaningless. If it's not on the product, it's on the packaging. If it's not on the packaging, it's on the manufacturer's website. Many sales websites even have a blanket warning saying each and every product they sell may be subject to Prop 65.

 

[davewo]

Looks like MSC forgot to include a warning in the package:

https://oag.ca.gov/prop65/60-Day-Notice-2015-00443

 

[pstemari]

The warning is essentially meaningless because it's required for *any* detectable amount of anything in those categories. So, for example, anything made from brass has the warning because brass, even stuff that meets the federal definition of "lead-free", contains trace amounts of lead.

The law is a pretty classic example of stupid initiatives that can't be amended to actually be useful. If the law had some threshold, or if it required labeling that disclosed the amount and nature of the hazard, it would be useful. As it stands, it just generates meaningless noise.



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[Tim37]

I have seen that warning on all kinds of weird stuff. It's cya for the companies it you start looking around its on hundreds of every day things

 

[MushCreek]

Is it true that CA hookers have that tattooed on their inner thigh?

 

[lazer50]

I take cancer causing agents seriously as i lost both parents,and a good friend has an incurable form.especially cigarettes,pestisides,things of that nature.but yet pay no attention to some forms of solvents,oils etc?if i took the time to read the warning on the channel locks.and if thought the oils were the hazard.i would spray with brake clean,then put something likely just as toxic on to prevent rust.just shows me im either biased or dont care for my health like i should!

 

[ssdave]

It has essentially nothing to do with whether there is in fact anything on the channel locks that may cause cancer. It's about a law that required a warning, established pentalties, but did not require that the cancer causing substance be removed. So, it gave the companies selling stuff a free out: Post a warning on the item, and they cannot be liable if you get cancer because they warned you.

Great example of a useless law; now you have no idea if there is, or is not, a cancer causing chemical on the item you bought. I'd much rather know than have a CYA warning put on every manufactured item regardless of whether it is a real risk or not.

Personally, I think that the channellocks would be low risk of having anything harmful; the only thing likely is some oil on the metal, residual VOC's in the plastic grips, or some lead in the plastic grips. Don't eat the plastic and you should be fine.

 

[CoogarXR]

I usually see that warning and think "Whew! I'm glad I don't live in California!". If that sticker said it caused cancer in Ohio, then I'd be worried

 

[notlob]

Is it true that CA hookers have that tattooed on their inner thigh?

No, that would violate Cal-OSHA and Cal-EPA regulations.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

I've seen that warning on pregnancy test things and baby bottles


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[Woody610nb]

Is it true that CA hookers have that tattooed on their inner thigh?

Yes.

 

[winlinmac]

It's ok, I have that same warning label on the back of the keyboard I'm typing on right now

Unfortunately, it is what it is

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Shame on all you GJ Members for polluting Your neighborhoods and workplaces with those horrible tools.. Shame ? Shame There is a Doctor on the internet that explained how bad tomatoes and peanuts are for your health... Thinking about this stuff makes Me thirsty; please pass Me A beer, and for Heavens sake, don't tell Me it is bad for My health.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Ever read the warning on fishing products?

 

[Plombob]

Prop 65 warnings are an example of how stupid CA is. Every month, since prop 65 was passed, I get warnings included with my utility and gas bills. How many trees were killed to print the millions of warnings that no one reads? I've never heard anyone say "oh I would have bought that, but there was a warning on it." There's a warning on the parking lot at the office. Does that stop anyone from parking in it?

 

[Al Bundy]

The ink used to print the warning is known to cause cancer in CA.

 

[Showkey]

Health tip........don't eat your channel locks.

 

[ChaseDE]

That CA warning is on everything. I bought a volleyball net set from Amazon, great reviews, well made, etc, and had a big sticker on the package with the CA warning (I live in Delaware)

My MIL saw it and wanted to freak out about it, the kids play vball, I told her to chill out

 

[ptschram]

EVERYTHING in excess can cause some form of cancer.

I had a customer who wanted to return a soldering iron because of the sticker. At first I thought he was kidding and I had to explain to him that they were commenting on the lead on the tinned soldering tip.

Given how long I worked with known carcinogens I'm glad I got my dad's genes!

 

[PMD1966]

Supervisor at work once told me that he couldn't buy 3ft. stepladders because there wasn't enough room for all the safety stickers.

 

[MShaw]

The last place I worked I knew the haz mat compliance engineer. He was well known and had extensive experience in the area. He once said that if you got technical almost everything could be considered hazardous even steel due to the alloying elements.

 

[Tim37]

The problem with this kind of warning is that it's so common place that people learn to ignore it and that's just as bad as not having a warning, because now people don't see real hazards

 

[jumbojak]

I've seen that warning on a ball peen hammer. Just wood and steel.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

I'm more scared of what's in something that doesn't have a warning considering even food containers have it


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[Roberts210]

I lived in Cal., the land of fruits and nuts for 30 years. That warning is on EVERYTHING sold out there. You can ignore it.

 

[Roberts210]

Health tip........don't eat your channel locks.

Hahahahaha. Great answer.