Every Amazon Product Has Prop 65 Warning: BPS in Amazon Labels

Many people love the convenience of Amazon, with packages arriving right at their doorsteps.
However, it's important to be aware that California's Proposition 65 warnings are found on nearly every product page. While this might seem alarming at first, these warnings are there due to the presence of Bisphenol S (BPS) in their shipping labels. BPS is a chemical that can disrupt hormones and has been linked to various health issues, raising valid concerns about its use. Handle your Amazon delivery with care. Avoid touching the shipping label as much as possible, and wash your hands after opening your package. Whether you work for Amazon, deliver packages, or get deliveries often, here’s how to protect yourself from BPS in labels. 

What Is Proposition 65?

The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, also known as Proposition 65, is a California law that aims to protect consumers from harmful chemicals. This was a grassroots movement spearheaded by the American people to advocate and educate others about the harm of environmental chemicals. It was passed by California voters in November 1986 with a 63% majority [1]. 

The law requires the state to publish and annually update a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. This list has grown from its initial publication in 1987 to include approximately 900 chemicals today.

Proposition 65 warnings can be found on a wide variety of products and places. For example, you might see warnings on:

• Food items (Canned foods exposed to bisphenols, baked goods in plastic packaging, and shellfish with high mercury levels)

• Cleaning products that release harmful vapors into the air

• Furniture and rugs that offgas flame retardants 

• Buildings (Posted at entrances to warn about potential exposure to chemicals like carpeting and flooring)

Proposition 65 warning thresholds are set at very low levels. For cancer-causing chemicals, the threshold is set at a level that would present a 1-in-100,000 risk of cancer assuming lifetime exposure. For reproductive toxins, the threshold is set at 1/1000th of the no observable effect level. These thresholds are intentionally low to ensure consumer safety and awareness. As a result, many everyday products require warnings.

This doesn’t mean you should ignore the warnings. Instead, you should use it as a reminder to consider what the potential sources are and if it’s possible to come into contact with what those chemicals might be. In the case of handling Amazon labels with BPS,  there are a few things you can do!

Why Does Amazon Display Prop 65 Warning on All Product Pages?

Amazon displays Proposition 65 warnings on all product pages due to the presence of Bisphenol S (BPS) in their shipping labels and packaging materials. BPS is used as an alternative to Bisphenol A (BPA) and is often marketed as "BPA-free," which is technically true but misleading.

BPS is used in thermal printing for shipping labels and packaging due to its heat-resistant properties. When heated, BPS helps the paper change color, producing crisp, dark printed images on labels. This makes BPS ideal for creating clear, durable shipping labels that can withstand various environmental conditions during transit.

However, BPS has raised significant health concerns! While it’s not quite BPA, BPS is still a bisphenol and reacts pretty darn similarly with our bodies as BPA does. 

Like BPA, BPS is classified as an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC). EDCs can interfere with the body's hormonal systems. As a result, many bisphenols, including BPA and BPS, have been linked to infertility, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, among many other conditions [2].  

BPS has risen as a popular BPA alternative for companies to use. While the light has been shined on the potential health effects of BPA, BPS is still new to many people. So, while BPS is indeed BPA-free, it doesn’t make BPS safer. In fact, some studies say the opposite. Research suggests that BPS may have comparable or even more prominent biological disruptive effects than BPA [3]. 

BPS can be absorbed through the skin when handling thermal paper labels. Since Amazon ships around the country, including California, they include a warning about their labeling. 

What to Do If I Receive an Amazon Delivery with Prop 65 Packaging

When Amazon delivery arrives at your doorstep, it’s pretty common to tear that thing up open like an excited child on their birthday morning. Try to avoid touching the label directly and consider using gloves when opening the packaging tape. 

If gloves aren't available, using scissors to open the package instead of your bare hands can help reduce contact. After handling the package, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly. 

Interestingly, it's best to avoid using hand sanitizer before or after handling the package, as it can actually increase the absorption of BPS through your skin.

Remember, these precautions are recommended to minimize potential exposure, but the presence of a Prop 65 warning doesn't necessarily mean the product itself is unsafe.

Amazon Warehouse & Delivery Worker Safety Tips

When you're working in a warehouse or as a delivery driver, especially for companies like Amazon or other parcel services, keeping yourself safe is super important. Many of the safety tips we recommend to consumers are just as crucial for you as a professional package handler.

Let's start with the basics. Always wear gloves when handling packages in the warehouse and on the road. A simple task like wearing organic cotton gloves helps protect your hands from absorbing BPS.

BPS is more likely to transfer to your skin if your hands are warm. So, it’s especially crucial to wear gloves on hot summer days.

Remember to wash your hands regularly throughout your shift. This sanitation hack is a simple but effective way to stay healthy. 

Also, avoid using hand sanitizer before or after handling packages. Sanitizer contains chemicals that can actually increase the absorption of harmful substances through your skin.

If you work in a room where the labels are being printed or are handling freshly printed labels indoors, you may want to wear a mask. These fresh chemicals can be released into the air, increasing your risk of exposure. 

Test Yourself for BPS 

Are you curious about your BPS levels? Do you work in parcel or mail delivery and are concerned about your exposures? 

In addition to the tips we’ve given you so far, you can find out how high your BPS levels are so you can find other potential sources in your life that you can eliminate. Test yourself for BPS with Million Marker’s Detect & Detox Test Kit.

We also test for other harmful chemicals like phthalates, other bisphenols, parabens, and oxybenzone. Get a personalized report with unique and actionable feedback about your BPS exposures.

By minimizing your exposure to these chemicals by identifying your sources and levels of exposure, you can better set your body up to eliminate BPS from your system.

Are Products with Prop 65 Warning Safe?

A Proposition 65 warning doesn't necessarily mean a product, place, or item is unsafe. The warning thresholds are often set at very low levels, which means many everyday products require warnings even if the actual risk from normal use is minimal. 

For cancer-causing chemicals, the threshold is set at a level that would present a 1-in-100,000 risk of cancer assuming lifetime exposure. For reproductive toxicants, the threshold is set at 1/1000th of the no observable effect level.

However, it's important to remember that these warnings are in place for a reason and warrant extra research and precaution. The presence of a Prop 65 warning indicates that the product contains one or more chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. 

While the levels may be low, repeated exposure to multiple sources of these chemicals could potentially increase health risks over time. Consumers should consider the warning in context, research the specific chemicals involved, and make informed decisions based on their individual circumstances and risk tolerance.

For some individuals, such as pregnant women or those with certain health conditions, taking extra precautions with Prop 65-labeled products may be advisable.

Resources

[1] https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65
[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4492270/
[3] https://phys.org/news/2024-11-safe-bpa-alternatives-pose-health.html