Dechlorane plus - information sheet 

1,4:7,10-Dimethanodibenzo[a,e]cyclooctene, 1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,13,13,14,14-dodecachloro-1,4,4a,5,6,6a,7,10,10a,11,12,12a-dodecahydro-(DP)
CAS Registry Number 13560-89-9

On this page

• Overview
• About this substance
• Human and ecological exposures
• Key health and ecological effects (hazard)
• Risk assessment outcomes
  • Screening assessment conclusions
• Preventive actions and reducing risk
• Related information

Overview

• The Government of Canada conducted a science-based evaluation, called a screening assessment, of DP to address the potential for harm to Canadians and to the environment.
• Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), the risk posed by a substance is determined by considering both its hazardous properties (its potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount of exposure there is to people and the environment. A substance may have hazardous properties; however, the risk to human health or to the environment may be low depending upon the level of exposure.
  • More information on assessing risk can be found in the Overview of Risk Assessment and related fact sheets, particularly on Types of Risk Assessment Documents and the Risk Assessment Toolbox.
• As a result of this screening assessment, it is concluded that DP is not harmful to human health; however it is harmful to organisms in the environment at current levels of exposure.

About this substance

• This screening assessment focuses on 1 of 10 substances referred to collectively under the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) as the Certain Organic Flame Retardants Substance Grouping which includes organic substances having similar function: application to materials to slow the ignition and spread of fire. The substance addressed in this assessment is 1,4:7,10-Dimethanodibenzo[a,e]cyclooctene, 1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,13,13,14,14-dodecachloro-1,4,4a,5,6,6a,7,10,10a,11,12,12a-dodecahydro-, also referred to as dechlorane plus or DP.
• DP does not occur naturally in the environment.
• According to information gathered by the Government, DP is used in Canada as an additive flame retardant in several applications which may include wire and cable jacketing, electronics, appliances, automobiles, hard plastic connectors, and plastic roofing materials.

Human and ecological exposures

• The main sources of exposure for Canadians is expected to be from the environment (for example from air, dust, soil, and water), and food, including breast milk.
• DP may be released to the Canadian environment during the manufacturing, formulation or industrial use stages of a substance and products containing DP.
• Releases to the environment are expected to occur primarily through wastewater, with some release to water directly from industrial sites.

Key health and ecological effects (hazard)

• On the basis of the available information, no effects on human health were identified.
• There were limited soil and sediment ecotoxicity data, therefore, a comparative approach using similar chemicals, called read-across, was used for assessing potential environmental effects. Using data available for related substances, results suggest that DP may cause effects at low concentrations in sediment and soil organisms.

Risk assessment outcomes

• Given the information available, including estimates of intake from the environment and food, the risk to human health from DP is considered to be low.
• However, it was also determined that there is risk of harm to the environment from DP.
• DP is proposed to meet the persistence and bioaccumulation criteria as set out in the Persistence and Bioaccumulation Regulations of CEPA 1999.
• The Government of Canada published the Final Screening Assessment for DP on May 11, 2019.

Screening assessment conclusions

• As a result of this assessment, the Government concluded that DP is not harmful to human health.
• However, the Government concluded that DP is entering, or may enter, the environment at levels that are harmful to the environment.

Preventive actions and reducing risk

• The proposed order adding 1,4:7,10-Dimethanodibenzo[a,e]cyclooctene, 1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,13,13,14,14-dodecachloro-1,4,4a,5,6,6a,7,10,10a,11,12,12a-dodecahydro-, also referred to as dechlorane plus or DP to Schedule 1 of CEPA 1999, also called the List of Toxic Substances, was published for a 60-day public comment period ending on August 28, 2019. The Government published the Proposed Risk Management Approach for DP on May 11, 2019. This publication has a 30-day public comment period ending on June 10, 2019.
• On December 21, 2018, a consultation document describing the proposed amendments to the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012 was published for a 60-day public comment period. The proposed amendments would prohibit the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale and import of DP. Comments and information received in response to the consultation document will be considered when amending the Regulations.
• On October 13, 2018, a Notice of intent to amend the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012 was published for a 30-day public comment period.
• Additionally, designating DP as a chemical of mutual concern under Annex 3 of the Canada - United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement will be pursued, as a means of addressing transboundary releases of DP, which may contribute to environmental exposure in Canada.
• Further information and updates on risk management actions for substances managed under the CMP can be found in the CMP risk management actions table and the two year rolling risk management activities and consultations schedule.

Related information

• Canadians who may be exposed to DP in the workplace should consult with their employer and an occupational health and safety (OHS) representative about safe handling practices, applicable laws, and requirements under OHS legislation and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).