Batch 3 Substances

News Release

Backgrounder

Four of the substances included in Batch 3 are of concern to human health. The chemicals are: 2-(2-Methoxyethoxy) ethanol (DEGME); 2-Methoxyethanol acetate; 2-methoxy-1-propanol; and C.I. Pigment Red 3. Although Canadians' exposure to the four substances of concern to human health is low, the Government is proposing that these substances be added to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA, 1999). The Government is also proposing that these four substances be added to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, which will prevent their use in cosmetics. These four substances are not a concern to the environment.

2-Methoxyethanol acetate

What is it?

• 2-Methoxyethanol acetate is an industrial chemical.

How is it used?

• 2-Methoxyethanol acetate is used primarily as a solvent for various industrial applications. It is also found in nail polish, dry cleaning treatments and glues.
• Based on the most recent data available, 2-methoxyethanol acetate is not manufactured in Canada, but is imported in very small quantities for industrial uses.

Why did the Government of Canada assess it?

• 2-Methoxyethanol acetate was considered a high priority for further investigation based on its classification by an international organization as a substance which may impair fertility and cause harm to the developing fetus.

How are Canadians Exposed to it?

• There were no reports of current uses of 2-methoxyethanol acetate in consumer products. As a result, Canadians' exposure to 2-methoxyethanol acetate is expected to be very low.

What is the Government of Canada doing?

• The Government has conducted a science-based evaluation, called a screening assessment, of 2-methoxyethanol acetate.
• The Government of Canada has concluded that 2-methoxyethanol acetate may pose a risk to human health.
• The Minister of Health and the Minister of the Environment are recommending that 2-methoxyethanol acetate be added to Schedule I of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999).
• The Government is proposing to add 2-methoxyethanol acetate to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist which will prevent its use in cosmetics.
• The Government is also proposing that 2-methoxyethanol acetate be subject to a future notification provision. This provision will require a user to notify the Minister if they wish to import, use or manufacture 2-methoxyethanol acetate for a new use, and prevent the substance from being used in any new activity in the future without undergoing a thorough health and environmental assessment and review.
• For more information, please refer to the final screening assessment report and the proposed risk management approach.

What Should Canadians Do?

• Because exposure to 2-methoxyethanol acetate is very low, Canadians do not need to take specific actions to reduce their exposure.

2-Methoxy-1-propanol

What is it?

• 2-Methoxy-1-propanol is a by-product in the manufacture of propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME), a solvent used in various products.

How is it used?

• 2-Methoxy-1-propanol is mainly used as an ingredient in the manufacture of another substance, propylene glycol monomethyl ether (also known as PGME).
• 2-Methoxy-1-propanol can be found as an impurity in PGME in concentrations of up to five per cent.
• Based on the most recent data available, 2-Methoxy-1-propanol is not manufactured commercially in Canada, but is imported.

Why did the Government of Canada assess it?

• 2-Methoxy-1-propanol was considered a high priority for further investigation based on its classification by an international organization as a substance which may cause harm to the developing fetus.

How are Canadians Exposed to it?

• 2-Methoxy-1-propanol is not used is cosmetics but may be present as an impurity in some consumer products that contain PGME such as nail enamel, nail polish remover, hair conditioner, hair spray, hair dye, false eyelash adhesive and remover, as well as in aerosol paint and exterior stains.
• 2-methoxy-1-propanol may be present as an impurity in solvents used in the manufacture of paperboard and plastic food packaging applications. However, the solvents are not expected to be present in the finished food packaging materials.

What is the Government of Canada doing?

• The Government has conducted a science-based evaluation, called a screening assessment, of 2-Methoxy-1-propanol.
• The Government of Canada has concluded that 2-Methoxy-1-propanol may pose a risk to human health.
• 2-methoxy-1-propanol is subject to regulations under the Pest Controls Products Act.
• The Minister of Health and the Minister of the Environment are recommending that 2-Methoxy-1-propanol also be added to Schedule I of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999).
• The Government will also add 2-Methoxy-1-propanol to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist which will prevent its use in cosmetics.
• In addition, PGME will be prohibited from use in cosmetics if it contains concentrations of 2-Methoxy-1-propanol greater than 0.5%, which is consistent with the European Commission's Restrictions on Marketing and Use of 2-methoxy-1-propanol.
• To ensure residual levels in food packaging applications remain low, data will be requested on residual levels of 2-Methoxy-1-propanol for new food packaging submissions with direct food contact.
• For more information, please refer to the final screening assessment report and proposed risk management approach.

What Should Canadians Do?

• While 2-Methoxy-1-propanol is only found as an impurity in cosmetics at very low levels, Canadians should always read and follow safety instructions provided on product labels, particularly the advice to use in a well-ventilated area and to wear protective clothing (when applicable).

2-(2-Methoxyethoxy) ethanol
(DEGME)

What is it?

• 2-(2-Methoxyethoxy) ethanol, also known as DEGME, is an industrial chemical.

How is it used?

• DEGME is used in various applications and products including as an additive in jet fuel, a formulant in pest control products, as a solvent in paints and paint removers, in floor care products, and in various cleaners and degreasers. DEGME is also used in some hairsprays, skin creams and cleansers and as a fragrance ingredient.
• DEGME may also be used as a solvent in the manufacture of inks and end coatings used in food contact applications, however, it is not expected to be present in the finished food packaging materials.
• Based on the most recent data available, DEGME is not manufactured in Canada, but is imported.

Why did the Government of Canada assess it?

• DEGME was considered a high priority for further investigation based on its classification by an international organization as a substance which may impair fertility and cause harm to the developing fetus.

How are Canadians exposed to it?

• Canadians may be exposed to DEGME as a result of its use in floor sealer, latex wall paint, paint remover/stripper, sealant/caulking, floor polish and floor cleaner.
• A very small number of cosmetic products sold in Canada also contain DEGME.

What is the Government of Canada doing?

• The Government has conducted a science-based evaluation, called a screening assessment, of DEGME. The Government of Canada has concluded that DEGME may pose a risk to human health.
• The Minister of Health and the Minister of the Environment are recommending that DEGME be added to Schedule I of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999)
• The Government will also add DEGME to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist which will prevent its use in cosmetics and is consistent with the European Union's ban on DEGME in cosmetics.
• DEGME is also subject to the Pest Controls Product Act.
• The Government will further investigate if there is a requirement for action under the Hazardous Products Act.
• To ensure residual levels in food packaging applications remain low, data will be requested on residual levels of DEGME for new food packaging submissions with direct food contact.
• For more information, please refer to the final screening assessment report and proposed risk management approach.

What Should Canadians Do?

• Canadians should always read and follow safety instructions provided on product labels, particularly the advice to use in a well-ventilated area and to wear protective clothing (when applicable).
• If Canadians are concerned about using cosmetic products containing DEGME they can review the list of ingredients to determine if it is found in the product. It is listed on the cosmetic label as methoxydiglycol.

Pigment Red 3

What is it?

• Pigment Red 3 is a man-made red pigment.

How is it used?

• Pigment Red 3 is used mainly as a pigment for paints and in a very low number of cosmetic products.
• Based on the most recent data, Pigment Red 3 is currently manufactured and imported into Canada.

Why did the Government of Canada assess it?

• Pigment Red 3 was considered a high priority for further investigation based on its classification as a substance which was found to cause cancer in some experiments with laboratory animals.
• Additionally, the Government of Canada had a concern that Pigment Red 3 may pose a risk to the environment as defined under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

How are Canadians exposed to it?

• Canadians may be exposed to Pigment Red 3 through use of paints. Pigment Red 3 is also present at very low concentrations in a small number of cosmetics.

What is the Government of Canada doing?

• The Government has conducted a science-based evaluation, called a screening assessment, of Pigment Red 3.
• The Government of Canada has concluded that Pigment Red 3 poses a risk to human health, but does not pose a risk to the environment.
• The Minister of Health and the Minister of the Environment are recommending that Pigment Red 3 be added to Schedule I of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999)
• The Government is also proposing to add Pigment Red 3 to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist which will prevent its use in cosmetics.
• The Government will further investigate if there is a requirement for action under the Hazardous Products Act.
• For more information, please refer to the final screening assessment report and proposed risk management approach.

What Should Canadians Do?

• Because exposure to Pigment Red 3 is very low, Canadians do not need to take specific actions to reduce their exposure.
• Canadians should always read and follow safety instructions provided on product labels, particularly the advice to use in a well-ventilated area and to wear protective clothing (when applicable).

An additional four substances pose no immediate risks to human health or the environment but have properties that could be harmful if they were widely used. Significant New Activity provisions are being proposed for Disperse Blue 19, PDDAM, Pigment Red 251 given they could be harmful to the environment and for 2-Ethoxyethanol acetate which could be of concern to human health. This will prevent these substances from being used in the future without undergoing a new series of assessments.

2-Ethoxyethanol acetate

What is it?

• 2-Ethoxyethanol acetate is an industrial chemical.

How is it used?

• 2-Ethoxyethanol acetate is used primarily as an industrial solvent, in paints, coatings and in cleaning solutions for industrial applications.
• Based on the most recent data, 2-ethoxyethanol acetate is not manufactured in Canada, but is imported.

Why did the Government of Canada assess it?

• 2-ethoxyethanol acetate was considered a high priority for further investigation based on its classification by an international agency as a substance which may impair fertility and cause harm to the developing fetus.

How are Canadians exposed to it?

• There were no reports of current uses of 2-ethoxyethanol acetate in consumer products. As a result, Canadians' exposure to 2-ethoxyethanol acetate is expected to be very low.

What is the Government of Canada doing?

• The Government has conducted a science-based evaluation, called a screening assessment, of 2-ethoxyethanol acetate.
• The Government of Canada has concluded that 2-ethoxyethanol acetate does not pose a risk to human health or the environment.
• The Government published a notice of intent to amend the Domestic Substances List to apply the Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisions under CEPA, 1999 to 2-ethoxyethanol acetate on August 23, 2008.
• This provision requires the Government be notified of any new manufacture, import or use of 2-ethoxyethanol acetate, and that ecological and human health risk assessments are done prior to the substance being introduced into Canada.
• For more information, please refer to the final screening assessment report.

What Should Canadians Do?

• Because 2-ethoxyethanol acetate does not pose a risk to human health or the environment, Canadians do not need to take any specific actions to reduce their exposure.

The remaining 11 substances in Batch 3 do not pose a risk to human health or the environment.

By publishing the final risk assessments for these eight substances, the Government of Canada can start developing regulations and other risk management tools that will minimize their impact on human health and reduce the release of these substances to the environment.

The notices for Batch 3 substances will be published on March 7th in Part 1 of the Canada Gazette. This will be followed by a 60-day public comment period. Comments received during this period will be used to finalize the risk management measures and will help in the development of specific instruments.