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Linking Settlement Funds to Community Needs |
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555 12th Street |
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The Public Health Trust is currently managing the following settlements.  Lead in Artificial Turf The settlement of a Proposition 65 claim against Beaulieu Group, LLC et al. alleging that the defendant exposed California consumers to lead from artificial turf without first providing consumers clear and reasonable warnings that the products contain lead (People of the State of California v. Beaulieu Group LLC, et al.) resulted in a $60,000 payment to the Public Health Trust. Funds will be used to support outreach and testing of artificial turf at licensed day care centers, schools, public playing fields and other locations in California, research into good maintenance practices and public education about lead in consumer products. Unapproved or Misbranded Drugs or Devices The settlement of a claim that the Maritzmayer Laboratories distributed unapproved or misbranded drugs or medical devices to California consumers (People of the State of California v. Maritzmayer Laboratories, Inc. et al.) resulted in a $3200 payment to the Public Health Trust. The settlement directs that the funds be used for general support of the Public Health Trust. Airplane Exhaust Emissions The settlement of a Proposition 65 lawsuit alleging that airline and airfreight companies failed to warn consumers health hazards of exhaust fumes from jet engines and equipment used to service airplanes (Environmental World Watch, Inc. v. Aeroflot, et al.) resulted in a $374,000 payment to the Public Health Trust. Funds will be used to address health issues related to hazardous emissions. Safe Toys The settlement of a claim that California consumers were exposed to lead through the manufacture, distribution and sale of toys made of materials that contain lead or lead compounds, without being provided "clear and reasonable" warnings (People of the State of California v. The Mattel Company, et al.) resulted in a $550,000 payment to the Public Health Trust. These funds will become the Toy Testing and Outreach Fund. The fund will support projects to monitor compliance with limitations on lead in children's products in California, and to identify and implement outreach measures with respect to recalls of children's products, including reasonable efforts to communicate information about such recalls to consumers who do not have internet access and/or who do not speak English. Smokeless Tobacco The settlement of a claim against U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company for distribution of smokeless tobacco products at Pomona Raceway in Los Angeles County (People of the State of California v. U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company) resulted in a $150,000 payment to the Public Health Trust. The funds are for the support of tobacco control education and outreach programs. Underground Storage Tanks Two settlements in Proposition 65 matters concerning leaking underground storage tanks (Communities for a Better Environment v. Tosco, Inc., et al.) provided a total of $250,000 to the California Attorney General for environmental projects. The funds were directed to the Public Health Trust to support projects addressing water quality issues in California. Project Advisory Council
Dietary Supplements The Napa County District Attorney's Office and a distributor of dietary supplements settled a claim involving the illegal distribution of ephedra-based products in California. Funds from the settlement support projects addressing nutrition issues in California. Mexican Soda Bottles with Decoration Containing Lead This settlement with PepsiCo, Inc., Dr. Pepper/Seven Up, Inc. and The CocaCola Company arose from a Proposition 65 lawsuit alleging the presence of toxic levels of lead and cadmium in materials used to decorate glass soda bottles (People of the State of California v. PepsiCo, Inc.; People of the State of California v. Dr. Pepper/Seven Up, Inc; People of the State of California v. The Coca-Cola Company et al.). Funds from the settlement support the following: monitoring retailers for continued sale of certain glass bottles; assisting small companies in retaining auditors to inspect their food production and processing activities; and supporting projects dedicated to the reduction of lead in Mexican food products. Lead in Mexican-style Candy This settlement was the result of a Proposition 65 lawsuit alleging the presence of toxic levels of lead in candy, specifically Mexican candies containing dried chilies (People of the State of California v. Alpro Alimento Proteinico, S.A. de C.V., et al.). The funds under this settlement support the following: community education about lead poisoning and about potentially-harmful candy products; technical assistance to small candy producers working to comply with the requirements of the Consent Judgment; laboratory equipment to test Mexican candy; and the recruitment of Opt-In Defendants. Unlawful Distribution of Cigarettes and Cigarette Coupons on Public Grounds In People of State of California v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, the tobacco company was found to have violated a California law enacted in 1991 that prohibits tobacco companies from distributing free cigarettes in any public building or on any public grounds. The Public Health Trust was directed to use the settlement funds to support tobacco control advocacy and education programs in California.
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