Proposition 65 Disclosure
Last Updated: March 17, 2026
This product can expose you to chemicals including wood dust, formaldehyde, and/or other substances, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
California's Proposition 65 (officially the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986) requires businesses to notify California consumers about significant amounts of chemicals in the products they sell that are on California's list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Flooring products — including hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, LVP, carpet, adhesives, and related installation materials — may contain or produce substances that appear on the Proposition 65 list. The presence of a Prop 65 warning does not mean a product is unsafe when used as intended. It means that the product may contain one or more listed chemicals above the established safe harbor level. Abode Warehouse is committed to full transparency and compliance with California law.
About Proposition 65
Proposition 65, enacted by California voters in 1986, requires the State of California to maintain and publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. The list, maintained by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), currently includes over 900 chemicals. Businesses with 10 or more employees that manufacture, distribute, or sell products in California must provide a "clear and reasonable" warning before knowingly exposing consumers to listed chemicals above established safe harbor levels.
Proposition 65 does not ban the sale or use of any listed chemical. It is a right-to-know law that ensures consumers are informed about potential chemical exposures so they can make their own purchasing decisions.
Why Flooring Products May Carry Prop 65 Warnings
Many flooring products and related materials may contain or produce chemicals on the Proposition 65 list. Common sources include:
Wood Dust
Cutting, sanding, drilling, or machining wood and wood-based products (including hardwood, engineered hardwood, laminate, and some LVP products with wood-fiber cores) generates wood dust. Wood dust is listed under Proposition 65 as a substance known to the State of California to cause cancer. This exposure is most relevant during installation, refinishing, and fabrication — not during normal residential or commercial use of installed flooring.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is used in the adhesives and resins found in many engineered wood products, laminate flooring, and some LVP and carpet products. Formaldehyde is listed under Proposition 65 as a substance known to cause cancer. All composite wood products sold through Abode Warehouse comply with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Phase 2 formaldehyde emission standards (also known as TSCA Title VI standards), which set strict limits on formaldehyde emissions. CARB Phase 2 compliance significantly reduces formaldehyde exposure but does not eliminate it entirely, and Prop 65 safe harbor levels may still be exceeded.
Phthalates and Vinyl Compounds
Some vinyl-based flooring products (LVP, SPC, WPC) may contain phthalates or other plasticizers listed under Proposition 65. Manufacturers are increasingly formulating phthalate-free products, and we work with brands committed to low-emission and healthier formulations. Product-specific chemical information is available from the manufacturer upon request.
Adhesives, Sealants, and Installation Materials
Flooring adhesives, sealants, grouts, underlayments, and finishing products may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other substances listed under Proposition 65. Always follow manufacturer instructions for ventilation and safe use during installation.
Crystalline Silica
Natural stone products (marble, granite, travertine, slate) and some engineered stone or tile products contain crystalline silica. Cutting, grinding, or drilling these materials generates silica dust, which is listed under Proposition 65 as known to cause cancer. Appropriate respiratory protection should be used during fabrication and installation of stone products.
What a Prop 65 Warning Means — and What It Does Not Mean
A Proposition 65 warning means that the product may expose you to one or more listed chemicals at levels above the established safe harbor thresholds. It does not mean:
- That the product is unsafe for its intended use
- That the product violates any federal or California product safety standard
- That the product will cause cancer or reproductive harm in all users
- That you should not purchase or use the product
The warning is a precautionary disclosure required by California law. Many products used every day throughout the United States carry Proposition 65 warnings in California. The standard for requiring a warning under Prop 65 is more conservative than federal safety standards — meaning a product can be fully compliant with all federal safety regulations and still require a Prop 65 warning.
How Abode Warehouse Complies
Abode Warehouse complies with Proposition 65 by:
- Providing Prop 65 warnings on product pages where applicable, either directly or via a clearly marked "WARNING" hyperlink
- Maintaining this Proposition 65 information page as a resource for customers
- Sourcing products from manufacturers who comply with CARB Phase 2 / TSCA Title VI formaldehyde emission standards
- Working with suppliers to identify listed chemicals in the products we sell
- Providing additional product-specific chemical information upon request
Reducing Your Exposure
While Prop 65-listed chemicals may be present in or produced by flooring products, you can reduce your exposure by following these best practices:
- Ensure adequate ventilation during and after flooring installation
- Use appropriate respiratory protection (dust masks, respirators) when cutting, sanding, or drilling flooring materials
- Follow all manufacturer instructions for installation, use, and maintenance
- Allow new flooring to off-gas in a well-ventilated area before or after installation
- Use low-VOC or VOC-free adhesives and sealants when available
- Wet-cut stone products to reduce airborne silica dust
- Wash hands after handling installation materials
Product-Specific Information
If you have questions about the specific chemicals in a product you are considering or have purchased, contact us and we will work with the manufacturer to provide available information:
Abode WarehousePhone: (925) 989-9711
Email: hello@abodewarehouse.com
Showroom: 3564 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549
Additional Resources
For more information about Proposition 65, visit:
Proposition 65 Questions
What is California Proposition 65?
Proposition 65 is a California law (the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986) that requires businesses to warn consumers about significant exposures to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Over 900 chemicals are on the Prop 65 list. The law does not ban any product — it requires disclosure.
Does a Prop 65 warning mean a product is unsafe?
No. A Prop 65 warning means the product may contain one or more listed chemicals above California's safe harbor thresholds. It does not mean the product is unsafe for its intended use, violates any safety standard, or will cause harm. The warning threshold under Prop 65 is more conservative than most federal safety standards. Many common, everyday products carry Prop 65 warnings in California.
Why do flooring products have Prop 65 warnings?
Flooring products may contain or produce chemicals on the Prop 65 list, including wood dust (generated during cutting and installation of wood products), formaldehyde (used in adhesives and resins in engineered wood and laminate), phthalates (in some vinyl products), and crystalline silica (in natural stone). These exposures are most relevant during installation, not during normal use of installed flooring.
Do all Abode Warehouse products require Prop 65 warnings?
Not necessarily. Whether a product requires a warning depends on the specific chemicals it contains and whether exposure exceeds safe harbor levels established by California's OEHHA. We provide warnings on products where applicable based on information from our manufacturers. If you have questions about a specific product, contact us at (925) 989-9711 or hello@abodewarehouse.com.
Are Abode Warehouse products CARB Phase 2 compliant?
Yes. All composite wood products sold through Abode Warehouse comply with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Phase 2 formaldehyde emission standards (also known as TSCA Title VI). These standards set strict limits on formaldehyde emissions from hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard. CARB compliance does not eliminate the need for a Prop 65 warning, as the two regulations have different thresholds.
How can I reduce my exposure to Prop 65 chemicals during installation?
Ensure adequate ventilation during and after installation. Use appropriate respiratory protection (dust masks or respirators) when cutting, sanding, or drilling flooring materials. Follow all manufacturer instructions. Use low-VOC adhesives and sealants when available. Wet-cut stone products to reduce airborne silica dust. Allow new flooring to off-gas in a well-ventilated area.