Is the prop 65 warning on the quest 3 of genuine concern?

[Thetheninjagummybear]

I'm considering saving up for a quest 3. In a video I watched about it, I noticed a prop 65 warning on the back of the box.

I have a fear of contamination (possibly genuine OCD, but the doctor isn't sure yet), so that set off alarm bells and I'm wondering if I should reconsider.

I know sometimes the warning is applied to things where the item doesn't actually pose any risk with normal use; Pincushions have the warning because the wood dust they're stuffed with can cause cancer if inhaled in large amounts, for example. If you're using a pincushion the way you're supposed to, you won't inhale the stuffing at all.

What I want to know is if this warning is a similar deal to the one on pincushions, where I wouldn't actually be exposed to the materials the warning is for if I'm just using the headset as intended. I don't plan on opening the headset and handling the stuff inside. If I got one, I would just play with it as intended.

[DaftnDirect]

This is the California requirement for labelling, partly to mitigate litigation that is quite common in the US.

I don't think you can sell anything in California that contains plastic without having that label. As far as I'm aware, it's the chemicals that make plastics flexible that are on the list and might explain why the Quest facial interfaces have been consistently rigid and uncomfortable to me! in order to comply with California law, the chemicals have to be kept to a minimum and even if they're there in tiny amounts, they still have to display that warning. Basically, you'd have to make the headset out of wood to avoid the warning, so I have no concerns.

I believe the law was originally intended to protect drinking water, so particularly applicable to water bottles and the like, but the labels are now on everything, it doesn't mean they're a risk.

The way the item is disposed of is important though. If lots of plastics end up in landfill then these chemicals can get into the water table, that could be part of the concern that the law is trying to address. How we dispose of our waste especially plastics and e-waste is important.

[Choleni]

You are right, these label is on anything and everywhere in California....even amusement parks are labeled.

Actually. it wouldn't even help if the Quest 3 was made of wood.

Wood dust is also labeled.😅

[DaftnDirect]

...if they covered the wood in plastic, would that make things better or worse 😯

I see stainless steel could also be a problem!

[Choleni]

😂😂

maybe glas?

[Thetheninjagummybear]

From looking through some product safety information was sent, it seems to be the material the battery is made of that they put the warning down for.

I'll keep reading about it just to be safe- If it does contain BPA, I would rather not put it on my face out of an abundance of caution.

[DaftnDirect]

OK yep, lithium-ion batteries are another thing that's on the Prop 65 list, so mobile phones, smart-watches...

Really, at this point, I'd say stress brought on by worrying about the labels on all these objects is itself a risk to health.

Stress and worry can be a harmful thing, well, hope that doesn't cause anyone to be stressed about being stressed!

[Choleni]

Exactly my opinion...the Prop 65 label on everything is really over the top.

If everything is labeled, it won't take long and no one cares about these labels... even not the ones that make sense.

[DaftnDirect]

That's a good point, ignoring labels because they're everywhere is also a bad thing. California may have to have a re-think if that happens.

[Thetheninjagummybear]

Yep, it's a boy who cried wolf type thing... It gets even iffier if the warnings are vague, like this one. A warning is no good when you don't actually know what it's about!