Mainline Environmental

California Proposition 65 (“Prop 65”) requires companies doing business in California to notify consumers of potentially hazardous chemicals present in their products. For these products that may cause significant exposure to listed compounds, the warning label must state that the product “contains chemicals known by the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive harm”. For example, Prop 65 limits the daily exposure to specific phthalates. These phthalates, or phthalate esters, are mainly used as plasticizers, substances added to plastic to increase their flexibility and durability. Mainline’ s staff is able to assist you in the acquisition of products containing phthalates and the use of sophisticated tools necessary to screen these products. We will then work with accredited labs to have the products tested by GC/MS.

Prop 65 also regulates when warnings are necessary for products containing Lead. Lead is a toxic heavy metal used for years in the building and construction industry. Like other heavy metals lead is a potent neurotoxin that accumulates in soft tissues and bone over time. Lead poisoning was even documented in ancient times in Greece, Rome, and China. Lead poisoning damages the nervous system and can cause blood and brain disorders and has even been linked to learning disabilities in children at very low levels. Lead poisoning typically results from exposure to lead contaminated products, materials or lead based paint. Mainline’ s staff is able to assist you in the acquisition of products containing lead and the use of sophisticated tools necessary to screen these products. We will then work with accredited labs to have the products tested in accordance with CPSC approved test methods.

Bisphenol A (“BPA”) was recently added to the Prop 65 list. BPA is a chemical compound used to make plastics and is used in some plastic additives. BPA’s primary use is in the manufacture of epoxy resins and polycarbonate. Suspected of being hazardous to humans, reports began circulating in 2008 regarding consumer concerns regarding the use of BPA, particularly in infant bottles and food and beverage containers. Recent studies have confirmed and indicated that exposure can impact consumer health. Even at low levels, BPA can cause potentially lifelong health problems. BPA is an endocrine disruptor that simulates estrogen in the human body resulting in a potentially wide range of health issues. Mainline works with labs that are currently testing BPA with a detection limit of 0.1 parts per billion (“ppb”) by LC/MS/MS. The LC/MS/MS testing can detect organic compounds at ultra-low levels. Testing to this extremely low detection limit will determine if your products are in compliance with Prop 65 warning requirements.

Stormwater runoff is one of the most significant sources of water pollution in the nation and has been recognized as a leading cause of significant and cumulative harmful impact to our waterways. Stormwater runoff from industrial sites cause harm to humans and aquatic life. In particular, stormwater can contain heavy metal pollutants such as aluminum, chromium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, nickel, tin, and zinc, as well as high concentrations of suspended solids, and nitrate. Exposure and ingestion of these heavy metals can cause health problems in people and aquatic animals, including neurological, physiological, and reproductive effects.

Runoff from construction sites and improved (e.g., roofs, parking lots, roads) are under the jurisdiction of EPA’s NPDES program, which is regulated in California by 9 Regional Water Quality Control Boards. All construction projects regardless of size and all completed projects which have created or replaced impervious surfaces exceeding a threshold aggregate area (currently, 2500 sq. ft.) must use BMPs to detain storm water runoff and filter pollutants before being discharged to an off-site storm drainage system (e.g., catch basins, drainage ditches, creeks). On construction sites, temporary BMP measures may be used including silt fences, fiber rolls (wattles), truck tire wash-down sites, sediment traps, flocculants, geotextiles, and soil stockpile tarping. On completed projects (improved land), permanent BMP measures including permeable paving, mechanical sediment filters, and landscaping bio-filtration should be used.

Mainline’ s experts are able to investigate and/or review construction sites, blueprints, and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to assure compliance with all permit requirements.