Canada | Department of Environment and Department of Health Propose No Further Action on Selected C3-C5 Alcohols Group

The Department of Environment and the Department of Health in Canada have announced their proposal to take no further action on six substances belonging to the Selected C3-C5 Alcohols Group. These substances were assessed under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and it is proposed that they do not meet the criteria set out in section 64 of the Act.

The substances identified under subsection 73(1) of the Act include 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1,2-propanediol, 1-propanol, 2-methyl-, and 2-propanol, 2-methyl-. A summary of the draft screening assessment conducted on tert-butanol, as well as the remaining five substances, is provided in the announcement.

Based on the assessment, it is concluded that the substances do not pose a risk to the environment. The ecological risks of the substances were evaluated using the ecological risk classification of organic substances (ERC), and it was determined that the substances are unlikely to cause ecological harm.

Regarding human health, the substances in the Selected C3-C5 Alcohols Group were considered to have low hazard potential. They were assessed based on classifications by national and international agencies for carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, developmental toxicity, and reproductive toxicity. It is proposed that the risk to human health from these substances is low.

However, exposure to tert-butanol, one of the substances, may occur through air, drinking water, and the use of various consumer products. Laboratory studies indicated increased non-cancer kidney effects, and there were incidences of kidney and thyroid tumors, although their relevance to humans was unclear. Adequate margins of exposure were determined to account for uncertainties in health effects and exposure data.

The public is invited to provide written comments on the proposed measures and scientific considerations within 60 days of the publication of the notice. More information on the scientific considerations can be obtained from the Canada.ca (Chemical substances) website.

The draft screening assessment for the Selected C3-C5 Alcohols Group substances is available for review on the Canada.ca (Chemical substances) website.