Liquefied petroleum gases (Stream 4 petroleum and refinery gases) - information sheet

Petroleum gases, liquefied
CAS Registry Number 68476-85-7

Petroleum gases, liquefied, sweetened
CAS Registry Number 68476-86-8

Publications summarized:

Final Screening Assessment for Liquefied Petroleum Gases (Stream 4 Petroleum and Refinery Gases) (published on February 25, 2017). Public comments received on the draft screening assessment and risk management scope were considered, and a summary was published.
Risk management actions were taken.
Associated notice: Canada Gazette, Part I; Vol. 151, No.8 – February 25, 2017.

The Government of 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 bothits 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.
The Government concluded that the 2 substances in the assessment of liquefied petroleum gases are harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the assessment.
- The concern was due to a small portion of Canadians that may be exposed near petroleum facilities. These substances are associated with the potential to cause cancer. Risk management actions were taken.
The Government also concluded that these 2 substances are not entering the environment at levels that are harmful to the environment.

The screening assessment focused on 2 substances referred to collectively under the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) as liquefied petroleum gases (LPGs) under Stream 4 of the Petroleum Sector Stream Approach.
LPGs are gases, but can be liquefied under pressurized or cooling conditions to be conveniently stored or transported. These substances are composed of complex combinations of petroleum hydrocarbons.
LPGs are similar in composition to site-restricted petroleum and refinery gases (Stream 1) and industry-restricted petroleum and refinery gases (Stream 2), but can also be used in products available in the marketplace.
According to information gathered by the Government, LPGs are mainly used as fuels, raw materials for industrial processes, and as aerosol propellants in products available to consumers.
They can be used as cooking or heating fuels, and are often stored in cylinder tanks which are available to consumers.

The screening assessment indicated that Canadians may be exposed to LPGs during the indoor use of aerosol products containing LPGs as aerosol propellants.
Canadians living in the vicinity of petroleum facilities or filling stations may also be exposed to LPGs from unintentional releases of the substances.
LPGs may be released to the environment during transportation and transferring, and during use of aerosol products available to consumers.

Carcinogenicity (potential to cause cancer) was considered to be the important or critical effect for these substances, used for characterizing the risk to human health in the assessment.
No ecological effects have been identified for these substances.

Based upon the information presented in the screening assessment, it was determined that these substances may pose a risk to human health, as there is a small portion of Canadians that may be exposed near petroleum facilities.
It was also determined that there is low risk of harm to the environment from these substances.

The Government concluded that these 2 substances are harmful to human health, at levels of exposure considered in the assessment.
The Government also concluded that these substances are not entering the environment at levels that are harmful.

The Government published the Risk Management Approach for Liquefied Petroleum Gases (Stream 4 Petroleum and Refinery Gases) for public comment, on February 25, 2017.
On April 4, 2018, the 2 liquefied petroleum gases were added to Schedule 1 of CEPA 1999, also called the List of Toxic Substances. Adding a substance to the list does not restrict its use, manufacture or import. Rather, it enables the Government to take risk management actions under CEPA 1999.
On November 11, 2020, the Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds Regulations (Petroleum Sector) were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II. These regulations will reduce unintentional releases of volatile organic compounds, including LPGs, from petroleum sector facilities.

Updates on actions can be found on the timeline for Stream 4 of the Petroleum Sector Stream Approach. Up-to-date information on the regulations, including any legislative change, is available on the Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds Regulations (Petroleum Sector) web page.
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.

LPGs may be found in products available to consumers. Canadians should follow any safety warnings and directions on product labels and dispose of products responsibly.
Canadians who may be exposed to these substances 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).