OEHHA Proposes Maximum Allowable Dose Level for Sulfur Dioxide in Dried Fruits

California EPA’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)
is seeking public comments on its proposal to establish a Proposition 65
maximum allowable dose level for sulfur dioxide of 220 micrograms per day.
Comments should be submitted by August 20, 2012. Requests for a public
hearing must be made no later than August 6.

Sulfur dioxide preserves the color and flavor of dried, light-colored fruits, such as golden raisins and dried apricots, peaches, apples, pineapple, papaya, and mango, and acts as an antimicrobial agent. According to OEHHA’s draft interpretive guideline, a warning for exposure to sulfur dioxide from consumption of dried fruit is not required under Proposition 65 because reasonably anticipated rates of exposure “will be below the proposed Maximum Allowable Dose Level.” Sulfur dioxide was added to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity in July 2011; the particular type of toxicity found was “intrauterine growth restriction.” See OEHHA News Release, June 29, 2012.