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 and other federal acts to help prevent or reduce potential harm.
Following publication of the Draft Screening Assessment for Gas Oils and Kerosenes in May 2019, new information was received that resulted in the assessment being subdivided. This screening assessment now focuses on 26 industry-restricted gas oil and kerosenes substances. The ecological conclusion has changed from harmful to not harmful to the environment.
The 26 industry-restricted gas oils and kerosenes substances are associated with effects on aquatic organisms and human health, including reproductive and developmental effects. However, at levels of exposure considered in the assessment, the Government concluded that these substances are not harmful to the environment or to human health.
About these substances
Details on the substance names and CAS RNs are found in Appendix A of the Assessment for Twenty-six Industry-restricted Gas Oils and Kerosenes.
The assessment focused on 26 substances referred to collectively as the 26 industry-restricted gas oils and kerosenes substances, under the third phase of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP).
Following publication of the draft screening assessment, 16 substances were removed from the gas oils and kerosenes group. These 16 substances will be assessed separately:
Fifteen of these substances will be evaluated in a separate assessment for gas oils and kerosenes with uses in products available to consumers.
One substance (CAS RN 64724-88-7) will be evaluated in a separate assessment for low boiling point naphthas.
Owing to their similarity in sources, production, properties and hazard, the 26 industry-restricted gas oils and kerosenes substances have been assessed together.
According to information gathered by the Government, the 26 industry-restricted gas oils and kerosenes substances are used as fuels or fuel additives, in the oil and gas industry as petroleum production aids or processing aids, in automobile and light-duty motor vehicle manufacturing, and as laboratory substances. They may also be transported from refineries to other petroleum or non-petroleum facilities for use as raw materials or blended with other raw materials to produce a new product. Other uses of industry-restricted gas oils and kerosenes include the formulation of lubricants or lubricant additives, and of various products including oil-water separation aids, processing aids, and industrial coatings.
Human and ecological exposures
Potential releases of the industry-restricted gas oils and kerosenes into air at non-petroleum industrial facilities were considered. The risk associated with inhalation exposure of the general population living in the vicinity of these facilities is considered low.
Exposure of people living in Canada to industry-restricted gas oils and kerosenes from other environmental sources is not expected.
Industry-restricted gas oils and kerosenes are used in many industrial applications; therefore, unintentional releases to the aquatic environment through wastewater discharges may occur. However, the gas oils and kerosenes used in these applications are treated at wastewater treatment facilities prior to release to the environment, which is expected to remove most of the substances from the wastewater effluent.
Key health and ecological effects (hazard)
To inform the ecological and health effects characterization in the assessment, international reports of data on gas oils and kerosenes were considered.
The critical effects identified for characterizing the risk to human health for the 26 industry-restricted gas oils and kerosenes substances were decreased bodyweight and increased organ weight. Reproductive and developmental effects were also considered.
Given the likelihood of gas oils and kerosenes to contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, some of these substances have been classified as "may cause cancer" by the European Commission. However, gas oils and kerosenes containing less than 3% aromatics are not considered carcinogenic.
For the ecological effects assessment, gas oils and kerosenes with aromatic contents ranging from 20 to 80% by weight were considered. Empirical and modelled aquatic toxicity data for these substances indicate moderate to high hazard, and empirical soil toxicity data indicate low hazard.
Consideration of subpopulations who may have greater susceptibility or greater exposure
There are groups of individuals within the Canadian population who, due to greater susceptibility or greater exposure, may be more vulnerable to experiencing adverse health effects from exposure to substances.
Certain subpopulations are routinely considered throughout the assessment process, such as infants, children, and people of reproductive age. For instance, age-specific exposures are routinely estimated and developmental and reproductive toxicity studies are evaluated for potential adverse health effects.
Subpopulations living near non-petroleum industrial facilities using gas oils and kerosenes who may have potential for higher exposures from emissions in the air were considered in the assessment.
Risk assessment outcomes
Assessments focus on information critical to determining whether substances are harmful to human health or the environment under CEPA. This is done by considering scientific information, including information, if available, on subpopulations who may have greater susceptibility or greater exposure, vulnerable environments and cumulative effects and by incorporating a weight of evidence approach and precaution.
Based upon a comparison of levels to which people living in Canada may be exposed to the 26 industry-restricted gas oils and kerosenes substances, and the levels associated with health effects, the risk to human health from these substances is considered to be low.
Considering all information presented, it was determined that there is low risk of harm to the environment from the 26 industry-restricted gas oils and kerosenes substances.
Assessment conclusions
The Government concluded that the 26 industry-restricted gas oils and kerosenes substances are not harmful to human health or to the environment at levels of exposure considered in the assessment.
Related resources
Use the Substances Search tool to find substances that are referenced in certain legislative or regulatory instruments or on Government of Canada websites.
