Government Takes Further Action On Substances As Part Of World-Leading Chemicals Management Plan

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 27 Aug 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, and the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, released preliminary findings for 19 chemical substances identified as high priorities for action under Batch 3 of the Chemicals Management Plan.

"The goal of our world-leading Chemicals Management Plan is to protect the health of Canadians from potentially harmful substances," said Minister Clement. "By identifying four substances that are potentially 'toxic' to human health in this latest batch of substances, the Government is continuing to deliver results for Canadians and meet the commitments we established when the Chemicals Management Plan was launched in 2006."

"Canadians are increasingly concerned about their environmental legacy," said Minister Baird. "This is another example of how our Government, through the Chemicals Management Plan, is taking real action to reduce the presence of harmful chemicals in our environment and protecting it for future generations."

Out of the 19 substances assessed, four are proposed "toxic" to human health. In addition, the Government is also proposing to create a provision for four other substances so that any proposed new use of these substances (which are no longer used or are used in extremely low quantities in Canada) would be subject to notification of the federal government. With this provision the government would be able to set conditions or prohibit the use of these substances if their use would increase exposure to Canadians or environmental organisms.

Following the extensive assessment, the 11 remaining substances are proposed "not toxic."

The notices containing summaries of draft screening assessment reports for all Batch 3 substances will be published in Canada Gazette, Part I on August 23.

Public summaries, which contain information about how all Batch 3 substances are used in Canada are available on the new Chemicals At A Glance Web page. The draft screening assessments as well as risk management scope documents for Batch 3 substances proposed "toxic" can be found on the Chemicals Management Plan Web site. Interested parties can submit comments on these documents until October 23, 2008. Final screening assessments for Batch 3 substances will be published on or before February 21, 2009.

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