New report from Government of Canada raises concerns about toxic chemicals in the blood of Canadians

BY PAUL JUNOR

The release of a new report by Health Canada and Environment Canada on toxic “forever chemicals” being present in Canadians’ blood samples has raised community concerns.

A draft assessment of the science of these chemicals known as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) shows high levels in the blood of Canadians. The report was released in early May of 2023 on the Government of Canada’s under the official title, “Draft of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Report.”

The executive summary of the report indicates that they belong to a class of over 4,700 human-made substances, which are commonly used in consumer products, industrial applications as well as specialized applications. The report states, “The widespread use of these substances and their extreme persistence in the environment, propensity for accumulation, and mobility has led to PFAS being commonly detected in the environment and humans.”

The report notes further that, “There is a growing body of evidence that exposure to other PFA’s can lead to adverse effects on the environment and human health. Cumulative effects from co-exposure to multiple PFAS may also occur.”

Largely due to the chemical stability of these PFA’s they have been nicknamed, “forever chemicals.” They are “extremely stable in the environment,” and “highly persistent.” The report accepts the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) chemical definition, which includes any chemical substances with at least a per fluorinated methyl group (-CF3), or s per fluorinated methylene group (-CF2). These chemicals can be found in a wide range of substances such as: surfactants, lubricants, repellents (for dirt, water, and grease) as well as firefighting foams, textiles, cosmetics and food packaging materials.

The report shows further that Canadians are exposed to PFAS from many diverse sources: food and food packaging, cosmetics, products available to consumers, ambient air, indoor air and dust, and drinking water. Even though, there is very little monitoring by human biomonitoring surveys, certain PFAS have been found in the blood (plasma or serum) of the general population in Canada, and Northern Indigenous communities (as measured in adults, including pregnant women) as well as Indigenous youth and children in other parts of Canada.

As a result of the draft report, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) proposed listing these human-made chemicals as toxic. Canadians have up to the middle of July to give feedback with respect to the proposed change to CEPA. The first step with regard to banning a substance is to ensure that it has been identified as toxic. There are three potential risk management options that CEFA are considering:

• Regulatory and non-regulatory controls for PFA’s or firefighting foams
• Gathering information to identify and prioritize options for minimizing exposure to PFA’s from other sources and products
• Aligning with actions in other jurisdictions, where appropriate

CEFA are particularly interested in feedback from: interested Canadians, Indigenous peoples, non-governmental organizations, federal, provincial and municipal governmental organizations as well as those who work in the following industries: refrigerants, textile, cosmetics, food packaging, fire-fighting and chemical synthesis and industry who use lubricants and repellents in their products (for dirt, water and grease).

Comments can be submitted either by:

1. Email: substance@ec.gc.ca
2. Mail: Program Development and Engagement Division,
   Science and Risk Assessment,
   Science and Technology Branch Environment and Climate Change Canada
   351 Saint-Joseph Boulevard
   Gatineau QC KIA 0H3

3.Phone: Substances Management Information Line:

Telephone: 1-800-567-1999 (within Canada)

Or 819-938-3232(outside of Canada)

4.Online at the Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Single Window. It is necessary to create an account first, then click the Chemicals Management Plan link, and then select Initiative “Chemicals Management- General.” Within the form, enter the publication name in the Submission Title field.