February 20, 2009

Two of the 19 substances included in Batch 5 are proposed to be harmful to human health. Therefore, the Ministers of Health and Environment recommend their addition to Schedule 1 of the CEPA, 1999. Risk management activities being explored to control these substances will be published on the Government’s chemicals management website on February 20, 2009.

Current information indicates that the remaining 17 substances are not of concern to human health or the environment. One of these substances (Disperse Orange 5) is no longer in use in Canada, and the other (Chloroacetamide) has only pesticidal uses that will be discontinued later this year. Significant New Activity provisions are being proposed to manage the risks associated with these two substances by preventing them from being used in future without undergoing a new series of assessments.

Information on the two specific substances proposed harmful to human health is provided below.

2-Propenamide
(Acrylamide)

CAS Registry Number 79-06-1

What is it?

• 2-Propenamide, also known as acrylamide, is an industrial chemical.

How is it used?

• The majority of acrylamide is used in the manufacture of various polymers, which in turn are used as binding, thickening, or flocculating agents in grout, cement, sewage/waste water treatment, pesticide formulations, cosmetics, sugar manufacturing and soil erosion prevention, ore processing, food packaging, plastic products and in molecular biology laboratory applications.
• Based on the most recent data available, acrylamide is not manufactured in Canada but is imported into Canada.

Why did the Government of Canada assess it?

• Acrylamide was identified as a potential concern to human health based on its classification by an international organization as a substance found to cause cancer in some studies with laboratory animals and which may cause genetic effects or impair fertility in animals. This identification was also based on a high potential for exposure to Canadians.

How are Canadians exposed to it?

• Canadians are exposed to acrylamide in their diets as a result of its formation from naturally occurring components of certain foods when cooked at high temperatures, such as French fries and potato chips. Acrylamide is not present in any ingredient of these foods prior to cooking and it is not a contaminant inadvertently added at any stage of food preparation.
• The highest concentrations of acrylamide found in foods in Canada have been reported in potato chips and French fries. Acrylamide has also been found in breakfast cereals, pastries and cookies, breads, rolls and toast, cocoa products, coffee and coffee substitutes. Levels in these foods, however, are typically lower than those found in potato chips and French fries.
• Canadians are also exposed to acrylamide from its presence in cigarette smoke.
• Intake from environmental media such as drinking water or air and use of consumer products is very low in comparison to intake from food.

What is the Government of Canada doing?

• The Government of Canada has conducted a science-based evaluation of acrylamide, called a screening assessment.
• The Government of Canada is proposing that acrylamide may be considered to be harmful with respect to human health.
• The Government of Canada is working with health authorities in other countries to understand how acrylamide is formed in foods and what foods contain the highest amounts of acrylamide. The Government of Canada is also collaborating with the food industry to investigate how to reduce levels of acrylamide in processed foods.
• The Government of Canada will investigate implementing a future use notification. This would require that any proposed new uses of acrylamide be subject to further assessment before considering whether to allow such activities.
• The draft screening assessment report was published on February 14, 2009 and is followed by a 60-day public comment period (from February 21, 2009 to April 22, 2009).

What should Canadians do?

• Health Canada's advice is to limit foods that are high in fat (such as French fries and potato chips), sugar or salt, and to follow a healthy eating pattern including a variety of foods from the four food groups, as laid out in Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide. Occasional consumption of these foods should be limited, but is not likely to be a health concern. More information on acrylamide in food is available on Health Canada's website:
  • Acrylamide and Food - Questions and Answers.
• Cigarette smoke is also a source of acrylamide. Canadians are reminded that they should not smoke. Please visit Health Canada's website for more information about smoking and how to quit or speak with your doctor.

Ethanol, 2-chloro-, phosphate (3:1)
(Tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate)
(TCEP)

CAS Registry Number 115-96-8

What is it?

• Ethanol, 2-chloro-, phosphate (3:1), also known as TCEP, is an industrial chemical.

How is it used?

• TCEP is commonly used as a plasticizer and viscosity regulator with flame retardant properties in polyurethanes, polyester resins, polyacrylates and other polymers. These polymers may be used in furniture, building (e.g., roofing insulation) and textile industries (e.g., back-coatings for carpets and upholstery) and in the manufacturing of cars.
• Based on the most recent data available, TCEP is not manufactured in Canada, but is imported into Canada.

Why did the Government of Canada assess it?

• TCEP was identified as a potential concern to human health based on its classification by an international organization as a substance found to cause cancer in some studies with laboratory animals and based on a moderate potential for exposure to Canadians.

How are Canadians exposed to it?

• Canadians may be exposed to TCEP from indoor and outdoor air, household dust, drinking water and surface and ground water. It is also detected in polyurethane foam and fabrics that may be found in furniture or mattresses.

What is the Government of Canada doing?

• The Government of Canada has conducted a science-based evaluation of TCEP, called a screening assessment.
• The Government of Canada is proposing that TCEP may be considered to be harmful with respect to human health.
• If the proposed conclusion is confirmed in the final assessment, the Government of Canada will consider risk management options including possible replacement of TCEP with an alternative.
• The draft screening assessment report was published on February 14, 2009 and is followed by a 60-day public comment period (from February 21, 2009 to April 22, 2009).

What should Canadians do?

• Canadians should always read and follow safety instructions provided on product labels.