In the eighth issue of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) Progress report, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), along with Health Canada, provided their half-year update on the assessment of chemical substances.
The 11-page document provides a more-detailed look at the evaluation process, including microbeads, which we have discussed in the past.
Below are a couple of notable new updates to the CMP.
Asbestos
What’s the latest regarding asbestos prohibition? “The government expects to publish proposed regulations prohibiting the import, use, sale and offer for sale of asbestos, as well as the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale and import of products containing asbestos, for public comment by the end of 2017.”
A notice of intent was published on December 17, 2016, seeking input on the general approach. A document providing details on the proposed regulatory approach was published on April 21, 2017.
What’s the Concern with Asbestos?
Health effects of asbestos have been well established. We discussed this in our blog a few years ago. According to Health Canada, you can find asbestos in cement and plaster, building insulation and siding, floor and ceiling tiles, vehicle brakes, and other components. Still, many are surprised that asbestos-containing products are produced and used in Canada.
For an overview of asbestos use, where it is banned, and (surprisingly) where it is still mined, see “Asbestos Explained” in Chemistry World.
Formaldehyde from Composite Wood Products
What is ECCC proposing to do with formaldehyde? “To protect the health of Canadians, the Government of Canada is developing regulations to reduce emissions of formaldehyde from composite wood products.”
A Notice of Intent to develop regulations on formaldehyde under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on March 18, 2017.”
What’s the Concern with Formaldehyde?
According to the Government webpage on formaldehyde, “Testing has shown that formaldehyde is released from more than 90% of selected composite wood products tested, and releases increase with higher temperatures and humidity … formaldehyde is an irritant … long-term exposure to moderate formaldehyde concentrations may also be linked to respiratory symptoms … very high concentrations … can cause cancer… ”
Complicating the formaldehyde issue is that it is also a by-product of combustion and is in household products. Formaldehyde is also naturally occurring. For example, apples have about 6.5 milligrams per kilogram of formaldehyde.
What are other countries doing to address formaldehyde from composite wood floors? On December 12, 2016, the US Environmental Protection Agency published a final rule “Formaldehyde Emissions Standards for Composite Wood Products.” This rule, set to be implemented at the end of 2017, has been on again and off again several times over the last six months. As of now, this final rule is “on.”
As always, we’ll continue to monitor federal and provincial environmental regulatory developments and provide updates on our blog.
Environmental Compliance Help
If you have questions about chemical management or other environmental compliance issues, please feel free to contact me at 519-979-7300, ext. 114.