Prop 65 Lead CrystalLitigation

Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation has filed lawsuits in San Francisco claiming that many retailers in California are not giving warnings for exposure to lead from leaded crystal products (such as stemware).  The warning system, originally implemented in litigation brought against the crystal manufacturers in the early 1990s, called for the manufacturers to send Prop 65 warning signs and instructions to retailers, who would post the signs in their stores, either at the cash register or at the product display.   Mateel alleges that this program has not been followed, but has primarily focused on the retailers, and not the manufacturers who signed the earlier consent judgments.   In October 2000, Mateel settled with Mikasa, agreeing to a revised warning and payment of $50,000 in fees and public interest payments. 

On December 21, 2000 Mateel filed another lead crystal lawsuit against 15 retailer defendants, in addition to the lawsuits previously filed against Costco Wholesale, and a group of 10 other retailers. In February 2001 Michael DiPirro filed several cases against other companies over alleged exposures to lead from crystal (see new filings).