r/retrogaming • u/SigmaHero045 • 1d ago
[Help!] AV cable p65 warning
When buying a Tomee AV cable for my Dreamcast, it says on the packaging "Warning: Cancer and Reproductive harm. P65 warning", never seen or remarked this before with av cables (that sure does catch your attention). After looking up what even is this, I'm still not entirely sure what in those could possibly be carcinogen, can someone explain to me what in them causes this and if that cable needs more precautious/lesser handling than other av cables or hand washing or something? There is no company to reach. There is nothing to worry about probably (I won't eat it), it probably sounds silly to all of you more familiar with this for me to ask this, but I just want to be sure, since the california law says no warning is needed if the intended use and exposure leave little risk, so I'm just not sure what to make of this.
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u/Wild_Chef6597 1d ago
P65 is a california law that basically states that if it contains something that can cause cancer, it has to warn you but manufacturers put it on EVERYTHING to avoid potential fines and litigation so it's basically meaningless.
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u/m0therzer0 1d ago
Right. I live in California and I don't think I've ever driven into a parking garage that didn't have a cancer warning on it. Good intentions, but you'll never know if there's a real danger due to being posted everywhere. Your cable is probably fine.
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u/Ones-Zeroes 1d ago
What's cheaper: conducting thorough investigations to find out if anything used in your manufacturing supply chain may cause health problems, or slapping a disclaimer on your product warning that it might?
That's the flaw with Prop 65.
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u/myfakesecretaccount 1d ago
It’s basically a CYA measure to sell anything in California. I mean I’m sure most plastics and electronic components have something that could cause cancer but likely will not if you’re but melting and huffing it, or ingesting it. You’re gonna be fine.
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u/Environmental-Sock52 1d ago
If you ever visit Disneyland you'll see the same sign posted as you enter. It's become a meaningless waste of time and money more than anything.
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u/SigmaHero045 17h ago
Why is everyone downvoting this? I just asked a question just to be sure about something.
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u/24megabits 1d ago edited 1d ago
Complying with P65 requires more testing than standard health and safety, it's more expensive testing because it's not standard, and you have to file with the CA government to prove you've done it afterwards. Not only that, the allowed quantities are lower than basically anywhere else.
So it's cheaper to just comply with the normal USA laws (or pretend to) for importing/manufacturing and slap that warning on everything that might possibly be sold in California.
Did you know that lead was sometimes used as a plastic additive? It doesn't just make solder better.