Petroleum Products

An oil refinery in the foreground, and mountains, blue sky and clouds in the background.

Various chemicals in petroleum products are on the Proposition 65 list for cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.  

Proposition 65 is a California law that requires businesses to warn people before exposing them to a significant amount of a chemical on the state’s Proposition 65 list. Chemicals are placed on this list for cancer or reproductive harm (i.e., potential harm to a developing embryo or fetus, or to a person’s ability to have a healthy baby).

Read our fact sheets on Environmental Exposure from Refineries and Environmental Exposure from Industrial Operations and Facilities for information on how you can be exposed to chemicals in petroleum products, with advice on how to reduce your exposure.

Proposition 65 benefits all Californians by reducing their exposure to chemicals that are on the list. You can learn more about the law’s impact by reading our webpage, Reducing Exposure to Proposition 65-listed Chemicals: A California Success Story.