California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 is known as Proposition 65. The official government site explains: "Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.  These chemicals can be in the products that Californians purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment." "While not an officially adopted regulation, California’s Attorney General has used the following standard to enforce Proposition 65: California bans lead content greater than 0.1 parts per million in any foodware surface..." ~ From the Cookware Manufacturers Association Standards Manual, Pages 28-32. The state maintains a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.