2-Chloroacetamide - information sheet

Acetamide, 2-chloro-
CAS Registry Number 79-07-2

Publications summarized:

The Government of Canada conducts risk assessments of substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) to determine whether they present or may present a risk to human health or to the environment.
- The risks posed by a substance are determined by both its hazardous properties (potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount or extent of exposure to people and the environment.
- When needed, the Government implements risk management measures under CEPA 1999 and other federal acts to help prevent or reduce potential harm.
As a result of the screening assessment, the Government concluded that 2-chloroacetamide is not harmful to human health or the environment, given that exposure was not expected.

The screening assessment concluded on acetamide, 2-chloro-, also called 2-chloroacetamide. This substance was assessed as part of Batch 5 of the Challenge initiative under the CMP.
2-chloroacetamide is an industrial chemical. It had historically been registered as a pesticide (material preservative) for use in paint, adhesive, dyestuff, detergent, textile, and related industries regulated under the Pest Control Products Act. In 2008, there was one registered pest control product containing 2-chloroacetamide (Parmetol K-50) that was later discontinued by the registrant. The last day of use for the product was December 31, 2009.
According to information gathered by the Government, there were no non-pesticidal uses or releases of 2-chloroacetamide in Canada.

According to the screening assessment, exposure of Canadians to 2-chloroacetamide was expected to be very low.
Since no non-pesticidal uses or releases were identified in Canada, exposure to the environment was also expected to be very low.

2-chloroacetamide was identified as having reproductive effects, based on classifications by other agencies.
2-chloroacetamide was not considered to be hazardous to aquatic organisms.

Based upon information presented in the screening assessment, exposure of Canadians and the environment was expected to be very low; therefore, the risk to human health and the environment was considered to be low.

The Government concluded that the non-pesticidal uses of 2-chloroacetamide are not harmful to human health, and that this substance is not entering the environment at levels that are harmful.

Although 2-chloroacetamide was not considered to be harmful at the time of the assessment, this substance was considered to have health effects of concern. There may be a concern if exposures were to increase.
2-chloroacetamide is subject to the Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisions of CEPA 1999. This requires that the Government be notified of certain proposed new activities related to this substance, and that the new activity be assessed for potential risks to human health and the environment before being undertaken.
The order outlines the definition of a significant new activity in relation to 2-chloroacetamide, as well as the information that needs to be provided to the Government for assessment before the new activity is undertaken.

Updates on actions for 2-chloroacetamide can be found on the timeline for substances in Batch 5 of the Challenge initiative.
Information on SNAc provisions applied to substances, where applicable, is found in the SNAc publications dataset.
Additional information on the risk management of substances addressed under the CMP is available.
Use the Substances Search tool to find substances that are referenced in certain legislative or regulatory instruments or on Government of Canada websites.

The screening assessment focused on potential risks from exposure of the general population of Canada, rather than occupational exposure. Hazards related to chemicals used in the workplace are defined within the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). For information concerning workplace health and safety and what steps to take in the workplace, Canadians should consult their employer and/or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulator in their jurisdiction.