Ecological risk assessment of new substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA): Effects assessment
Conference
·
OSTI ID:230920
- Environment Canada, Hull, Quebec (Canada)
As part of a pollution prevention management approach to toxic substances, the Substances New to Canada provisions in CEPA ensure no new substance is introduced into the Canadian marketplace before an assessment of its ``toxicity`` has been completed. Consequently, the purpose of the New Substance assessment process is to determine whether or not substances are, or are suspected of being, ``toxic`` as defined in Section 11 of CEPA. The determination of ``toxic`` consists of integrating the assessment of potential exposure of a substance to humans and components of the environment with potential adverse effects on humans or the environment. This paper describes Canada`s approach to the environmental effects assessment within the context of the new substances program. Determining adverse effects of a substance on the environment involves developing a toxicity profile, which indicates the type of effect and the seriousness of that effect on a given organism at a known concentration of substance. Effect concentrations can be based on test data, or predictions using structure-activity relationships (SAR), and consider environmental factors which may reduce or enhance the inherent toxicity of a substance. Application of assessment (or safety) factors to the effect concentration provides a concern concentration (CC) or chronic no-effect level. The subsequent ecological risk assessment is conducted using a quotient method comparing the concern concentration with predicted environmental concentrations. Adverse effects on the abiotic components of the environment are also considered including consequences such as depletion of the ozone layer and global warming.
- OSTI ID:
- 230920
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9511137--; ISBN 1-880611-03-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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