Whales and contaminants

Contaminants are chemicals known or suspected to enter the environment as a result of human activity.

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Many contaminants are harmful to the health of whales. Contaminants are released by:

• municipal and industrial wastewater
• urban and agricultural runoff, landfill sites
• and other processes

They can then end up in the ocean and in the food whales eat. Some household products that contain harmful contaminants are:

• paints
• paint thinners
• car fluids
• chargers
• electronics
• pharmaceuticals
• personal care products

You can help protect whales from contaminants by:

• properly disposing of household products - use local recycling and takeback programs, and hazardous waste disposal depots
• returning old or used medications to local pharmacies - do not put them in the garbage or flush them down the toilet or sink
• using pesticides properly and safely by only using a registered product and following all labels directions - check with your municipality for pesticide by-laws
• purchasing ecofriendly products

Support conservation efforts and policies that protect whales and the environment.

For further information, please read how Canada is reducing the threat of contaminants to Southern Resident Killer Whales, or contact us at baleines-contaminants-whales@ec.gc.ca.