Xirax

Just bought a new joystick and was taking it out of the box to take a look at it, and I noticed a bright-yellow warning sticker on the usb cable. I've no digital camera, but have found this one other mention + photo on the web: "Saitek Joysticks Cause Cancer?" That's the only mention I can find anywhere on it.

Um, does anyone have any idea what is up with this? Doesn't seem especially safe in a product, does it? Anyone have any more information? Is it shielded with lead, or have lead bits sprinkled on the outside for whatever reason?

I'm pondering returning it just for that reason...It is a comfortable joystick though.

seretogis

Heh, you should be alright as long as you don't put the cord in your mouth and chew on it. Warning labels are for idiots. If you can count from 1 to 10 you can generally discount them as nonsense.

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TerresqueÜ

Thing is, seretogis, there are a lot of idiots out there. So they have to put it there just in case one of said idiots, or small children, they both fall in the same category, get thier hands on it and do said stupid thing.

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NeverBorn

Yes.. Warning labels need to be removed. We'll have a smarter society

Nikilidstrom

well, not to be the paranoid one here, but the lable doesn't say "don't put cable in mouth", it says "wash hands after handling". Of course, if you put the cord in your mouth, lead or not, you are a dumbass. But when the lable states that you should wash your hands after just touching the damn thing, shouldn't that be cause for concern?

Nikilidstrom

Alright, everyone go home, nothing to see here

found this on the Saitek website:

What is Prop. 65?
The label you have identified on our product is what we refer to as the “Prop. 65” label. “Prop. 65” is short for Proposition 65 which is a California statute, The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. This Proposition was intended by its authors to protect California citizens and the State's drinking water sources from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm, and to inform citizens about exposures to such chemicals. It is currently extended to warn individuals about the possible exposure to potential cancer causing elements (i.e. lead, cadmium, etc.) found in every day products.

Why did I find this label on the product I just purchased?
On the specific product you just purchased, the cable that connects the game pad/joystick to the PC contains a minute amount of substance(s) in which the State of California has found that pro-longed exposure to, have been known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Hence the warning: “Wash hands after use.”

But I didn’t purchase my product in California?
Although we are only required to place the “Prop 65” label on products sold in California, our company ships products across the United States and we have no control as to where a retailer may eventually end up selling this product, so we resolve this issue by marking all products sold within North America.

For your information, very small amounts of lead and cadmium are added to enhance insulation (for U/L approval) as well as pliability. Without the lead and cadmium, the cables would become more brittle and less resistant to fires. You will probably find that most, if not all the power cords, extension cords, DVD, stereo, and video connectors on almost all the appliances in your house contain no less lead or cadmium than our products.

Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. For more information on Prop 65 please visit

http://www.oehha.org/prop65.html .


Sincerely,

Saitek Industries Ltd.

Xirax

Wow, thanks so much, Nikilidstrom! That's exactly the informed response I was looking for!

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Mr.Deflok

Suck on the cables and let us know if you start coughing up blood. We'll warn the others.

dragonhawk

Same thing with the Christmas lights we bought this year. Same dumb sticker. I'm not dead yet...

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Vales419

It seems like everything causes cancer these days. Christ, its not like we are eating the wires.....

V.

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Nikilidstrom

But there is always some sorry S.O.B. that is willing to sue the pants off of any company if they even suspect that they might have recieved any kinda harmful effect from their product. While the warning is moronic, its just covering their ass.