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Do car maintenance fluids actually cause reproductive harm and cancer?
I've noticed warnings on various car maintenance fluids that say that the product may be carcinogenic or cause reproductive harm. Am I at risk for cancer or reproductive harm from the fluids my car needs?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“It’s always good to keep your environment clear of unneccsary chemicals! The short answer, though, is it depends on who you ask.
The label you’re refering to is the California Proposition 65 warning label. This label is required by the State of California to alert its residents about the cancer-causing and reproductive-harming chemicals that have been known to cause these issues.
Other states don’t have these warnings, but the reaches of Proposition 65 are far-reaching. Even coffee beans, laptops, and chips have been known to have this warning label on them.
Experts would agree that you shouldn’t handle car maintenance fluids, as they’re toxic and may contain lead, lead compounds, and other cancer-causing agents. But as far as the increased risk of cancer and reproductive harm, the debate remains and the federal government hasn’t spoken up.
Safety is the key here, and you should wear personal protective equipment when you’re working on your car. A lot of the risk comes from contact, inhalation, or ingestion of these chemicals, so wear a mask and gloves and you’ll likely be safe.
If you want to leave car maintenance–and chemical exposure risks–to professionals, car services might fall under
used car warranties
.Your insurance usually won’t cover car repairs and maintenance if unrelated to an accident, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t review your policy. Since you’re concerned with the effects of your car on your health, it might be worth adding
MedPay
to your insurance policy.If you want help reviewing your policy to ensure you’re getting the best rates, try using the
Jerry
app. Jerry compares rates from the top companies and delivers the best deals to your phone in minutes for free.”View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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