81 new Proposition 65 notices were filed in California on November 23 alleging exposure to lead and in some cases cadmium from both glass and ceramicware. The alleged violators include retailers, importers, breweries, wineries, beverage makers, restaurants and various distributors. There have now been approximately 260 Proposition 65 notices related to glass and ceramicware filed since the August 18, 2005 settlement. A large number of Proposition 65 allegations remain to be either settled or litigated. Although there is no official state warning threshold for non-food contact surfaces of glass and ceramicware, Proposition 65 warnings are an option for companies to establish a defense against allegations that ware exposes consumers in California to lead or cadmium. In a related action, Cliff Chanler, a Proposition 65 plaintiff's attorney who is involved in the glass and ceramic cases, has formed a new law firm, Hirst & Chanler, which includes members of the Paras Law Group, the Chanler Law Group and the Martin Law Group. Chanler noted that the new firm would expand its focus beyond Proposition 65 to "state and federal matters including those pertaining to toxics issues."
