What is Prop 65
Proposition 65 is a warning label for Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
Any product that is sold in California will have this label even at retailers outside of California.
The list contains naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals.
It is updated yearly and there are currently 900 chemicals on the list in 2024.
Exposure Limit?
Technically this label is for “significant exposures” and the chemicals need not be listed if “the exposure is low enough to pose no significant risk of cancer or is significantly below levels observed to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.”
However, in reality, the exposure risk is not usually calculated and you will still see the label if the product contains only trace levels of the Prop 65 chemicals or even when the chemicals are enclosed within the product and there is no reasonable way to gain exposure to them.
Prop 65 in Washing Machines
When it comes to washing machines, they do likely contain quite a few Prop 65 chemicals – they are not being overly cautious in declaring that Prop 65 chemicals are present.
The real question and uncertainty around washing machines comes down to whether that exposure is really large enough to be of concern, especially since the chemicals are largely enclosed within the appliance.
Some companies simply add this to all their products, without calculating the risk.
This article contains affiliate links, upon purchase I earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Which Prop 65 Chemicals Can Be Found in Washing Machines & Dryers:
1. Phthalates including DIDP may be present in plastic components of appliances (specifically in flexible vinyl) according to the Prop 65 website.
Electrical wiring is often coated in vinyl, and there may be other PVC tubes or hoses.
2. Flame retardants may be present in plastic components of appliances according to the Prop 65 website.
Electrical wiring and cords also usually contain flame retardants.
3. Antimony: Tamara Rubin has found that most appliance electrical cords will test positive for Antimony (as a component for added flame retardants).
When she tests electrical cords of appliances, she normally finds the level in the range of 5,000 to 15,000 parts per million (ppm).
4. Arsenic: Tamara says she often finds trace Arsenic in black plastic handles of kitchen tools and appliances.
She believes it is likely a contaminant of the black pigmentation.
In one test she found extremely low levels of Arsenic in the black plastic handle of a kettle (3 +/- 1 ppm). This is safe, by any standard she explains, though it’s still a Prop 65 Chemical.
5. Lead: is almost always a component of brass parts, and it can be found in plastic, solder, electrical cords, nuts, painted parts, and more in appliances.
I have seen a lead warning on dryers.
6. Nickle: is part of stainless steel.
7. Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs) were listed by one company on their washers and dryers company specifically.
They are used as lubricants for metal, plasticizers in flame retardant plastics, in electrical equipment, and some rubber.
8. Other Proposition 65 chemicals may also be present in enclosed components of the appliance (such as printed circuit boards).
During normal use, consumer exposure to these chemicals is expected to be negligible according to the Prop 65 website.
Washing Machine Brands With a Prop 65 Warning
Please note that brands can change this warning at any moment and that some websites that sell the products may not display the warning even if it exists. This info below is subject to change at any time and is only as accurate as websites were at the time of writing.
Maytag, Samsung, Whirlpool, LG, GE, Bosch, BLACK+DECKER, Magic Chef, Midea, SpeedQueen and Amana all have the warning.
Washing Machine Brands Without a Prop 65 Warning
The brands I’ve seen without the warning are Equator (some), Miele, and Electrolux.
Dryers with Prop 65 Warning
Equator, Electrolux, Maytag, Whirlpool, GE, Samsung, Amana, Hotpoint, Speedqueen.
Dryers without Prop 65 Warning
Miele, LG.
Washing Machine Brands for the Mold and Chemically Sensitive
If you’re looking for washing machines that are lower in initial offgassing and easier to keep mold-free, this post on appliances for the chemically sensitive has some ideas.
These are all based on the experience of highly sensitive folks, not on empirical testing.
Minimize Exposure to Prop 65 Chemicals From Washing Machines & Dryers
Most of these chemicals are found in internal parts, and some are found in extremely low levels.
Flame retardants and phthalates do tend to leach out into household dust so to minimize exposure to these chemicals, minimize your exposure to dust:
- Clean floors regularly, using a wet mop for hard surfaces and a HEPA vac for soft or hard surfaces. The HEPA component is important as it picks up these tiny contaminants (and is one of the best interventions you can make toward a healthy home).
- Wipe up dust regularly, using a damp cloth free of chemicals.
- Wash your hands after touching the electrical cords of appliances.
- Wash your hands before preparing food and before eating.
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
Laura
I am shocked and dismayed the risks were not made apparent to me before installing expensive w/d. only after it was installed and I opened the instructions did I see a major warning.
joann smith
why do these no care manufacturers keep making appliances and the like with unhealthy parts that can cause a person his or her life why isn’t it a law to stop this .I was going to buy an amana washing machine but now I have found out that’s it’s proposition 65 disappointed me.
Laura
I am shocked and dismayed the risks were not made apparent to me before installing expensive w/d. only after it was installed and I opened the instructions did I see a major warning.
Chris
I just recently bought an LG washer based on reviews in consumer reports. This purchased ruined the air quality in my house. According to an appliance salesman, LG recently changed their production protocol, and on average about 1 out 100 machines needs to be returned to LG due to a very very strong solvent odor that doesn’t go away over time. If you complain about this, LG will tell you to run at least 10 washes. I ran my machine for 18 washes and the VOCs went up to 1,981, which is almost 5 times the safety limit. The solvent fumes have permeated my house (and perhaps my ventilation system). We have removed the washer from my house and have to sleep at a hotel to get away from the fumes and air out the house every day. I have to buy an expensive air purifier with lots of carbon to try to get rid of the high VOCs. Prior to buying the LG washer, I had monitored my air quality for VOCs and the level was in the 100s for months before the washer was delivered, which is safe: moral of the story: Beware of LG washers. You might not get a washer with this problem, but if you do, it is so difficult to get healthy air again after a machine has been in your house.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
thanks for sharing
Kelly
same here
Amanda
I have this very same issue with an LG front load washer WM4200HBA. I’m wondering if yours was also a front load? I’m thinking of exchanging for a top load as I suspect the motor oil or solvent smell comes from the rubber gasket.
chris
Yes, mine was a front loader. I ended up buying an electrolux and am completely happy with it. It was a nightmere to get my money back from LG because I would not sign a nondisclosure saying that I would not talk about this and also saying that myself and my heirs could not hold them responsible for any illness or death. I refused to sign. I ended up going through their online department for a refund instead and was stonewalled. i finally complained to better business bureau and the matter took quite a while to resolve.
Brooke
Did you happen to get a new machine, if so what brand and did you have any issues?
chris
I got an Electrolux. Although the machine has a perfume like smell, it went away after a while. We kept the window open when we had the door open. We are completely happy with it now. The perfume smell was nothing like the strong solvent smell coming from the LG machine.
Lsura
they should be sued!
chris
This is exactly why I refused to sign their nondisclosure saying that I and my heirs would not hold them responsible for any illness or death resulting from the machine. Signing this disclosure was a condition for me to get a refund. I found another way to get a refund by contacting the online sales department and returning it that way. Even after I returned the machine and it was sitting in their warehouse, I did not get a refund and had to complain to the better business bureau about it and threatened to sue them.
Phil Green
Another issue is all the washing machines hoses have a prop 65 warning. So even if you get a washing machine that’s prop 65 free, you still have the issue with the required hoses.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
yeah potentially phthalates in the PVC and almost certainly lead in the brass parts
Laura
the govt is obviously NOT doing their job and big comp don’t give a…hoot.
Clifford Kerr
Ange, thanks for the information. Heads up, the Equator brand washer dryer combo has a Prop 65 warning, seen in a comment on the Home Depot page.
Ange
Corinne, are you familiar with Speed Queen washer/dryers? I wonder where they rate for the chemically sensitive.
Corinne Segura
yes see the article on appliances for the chemically sensitive
Kathleen DELISIO
I read Speed Queen washers have antimony and SCCP warnings. How dangerous are these to me
I have sensitive itchy skin, macular degeneration, Dr said I have a little asthma (whatever little means!). Do I have to be concerned if I bought this washer as I’m now looking for new one. in Speed Queen TR5003WN model.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
Antimony likely just in the cord, company recommends washing hands after touching ford. SCCP is also mentioned in the article. How dangerous something is is not something I can answer, as that is a complex toxicological assessment that the company might not even have done.
Vicky L Hughes
I bought the TR5003WN model. You could smell the chemicals. Which ones, I do not know, but I could smell chemicals. Speed Queen is not the same anymore, use to be very good, now very cheaply made.