Ottawa, Canada (GLOBE-Net) - The Government of Canada has announced that it is taking action to reduce emissions from chemicals that contribute to smog in consumer and commercial products such as paints, varnishes, adhesives and vehicle repair cleaners.  The announcement adds to the growing number of chemicals the government has identified under the Turning the Corner Plan and the Chemicals Management Plan as potentially harmful to public health.

"Our Government has a strong record of taking action to protect the environment for all Canadians," said Environment Minister John Baird.  "As part of our Turning the Corner Action Plan, which includes action on air pollutants, we are moving forward to clean the air and protect the health and environment of Canadians by proposing limits on smog-producing chemicals in everyday products."

Volatile Organic Compounds can be identified by their strong smell and are found in solid or liquid forms that evaporate very quickly, becoming a gas.  They are the second largest contributor to smog in Canada, impacting millions of Canadians and the environment every day.

Volatile Organic Compound emissions from consumer and commercial products are a contributing factor in the creation of air pollution, a serious problem that affects millions of Canadians each year.

When certain consumer and commercial products are used, emissions from Volatile Organic Compounds are released into the atmosphere where they react with other common air pollution. This results in the forming of ground-level ozone, a respiratory irritant and component of smog. Smog is a noxious mixture of air pollution, which can often be seen as a haze in the air, especially over urban centres.

Air pollution has been shown to have a significant adverse impact on human health, including premature deaths, hospital admissions and emergency room visits.

"These new measures, taken together with other initiatives under our Turning the Corner Action Plan, will reduce the environmental impact of many of the products we use everyday in our homes and workplaces, and reduce emissions which cause smog," said Minister Baird.  "These new regulations, which will be amongst the toughest standards available, are another example of our Government’s continued commitment to protect the environment and Canadian consumers."

The Government will be taking action in three areas:

• Introducing concentration limits of volatile organic compounds in 98 categories of consumer products, such as personal care items like nail polish, adhesives and adhesive removers, sealants and caulking and other miscellaneous products;
  
  
• Establishing concentration limits for 49 categories of architectural coatings such as paints, stains and varnishes, and;
  
  
• Establishing concentration limits for 14 categories of coatings and surface cleaners used for refinishing or repairing the painted surfaces of worn or damaged automobiles, trucks, and other mobile equipment.

These regulations would prohibit the manufacture, sale or import of products for use in Canada where concentrations of Volatile Organic Compounds are in excess of the limits set out in the proposed regulations. The proposed limits are aligned with a number of current and upcoming regulations in California and other sectors in the United States.  Today’s action delivers on our commitment under the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement.  

The consumer products targeted by these regulations effect an array of personal care, adhesive, adhesive remover, sealants, automotive finishing products, architectural coatings and miscellaneous products. Examples of consumer products are: air fresheners, household cleaners, laundry pre-wash, laundry starch, lubricant, paint remover or stripper, aerosol adhesive, adhesive remover, sealants and caulking compounds, personal fragrance, shaving cream, shaving gel, deodorant, charcoal lighter material, cooking spray, and tire sealant and inflator.

The environmental and health impacts of chemicals used in industry and in households, such as VOCs have been the subject of in depth scientific study in Canada, the United States and Europe in recent years. Studies have shown alarming levels of potentially toxic substances in humans and animals.

In response, the Government of Canada has taken significant action towards reducing human exposure to such substances.

In December of 2006, the Federal Government announced the Chemicals Management Plan to help accelerate risk assessment and subsequent management actions for priority chemicals.  Industry and stakeholders have been providing Environment Canada and Health Canada with information on batches of 15 to 30 substances every three months.

To date the government has analyzed approximately 23,000 substances of which 4,000 have been categorized as substances of concern and 200 of which were found to present a great risk to human health.  In 2008, the government has added significantly to that list.

Earlier in April, the Canadian Government became the first propose legislation regarding the ban of bisphenol A in cosnumer products.  Bisphenol A, commonly found in baby bottles, is a suspected carcinogen and may cause complications in pregnant women or effect the health of infants.

In February of 2008, the government also released its fifth batch of chemical substances recognized as having potential risks to human health have been announced by the federal government.

"We are taking action every day to meet the tough timelines we’ve set in order to ensure these chemicals are addressed quickly and efficiently," said Minister Baird. "We will make timely decisions to ensure that any risks associated with certain substances are minimized as soon as possible."

More information on the proposed regulations to reduce smog-producing emissions in consumer and commercial products can be found at http://www.ec.gc.ca/nopp/voc/en/consult.cfm.

More information on the Chemicals Management Plan can be found here.

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For More Information: Environment Canada