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Science approach documents

A science approach document (SciAD) provides a description of a scientific approach to evaluate environmental or human health risk of substances. Some SciADs can include the results of the application of the scientific approach to substances that were identified as priorities for assessment through various mechanisms while others can include a broad range of substances which may not have been identified as priorities for assessment. The SciAD is published under section 68 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and does not include regulatory conclusions. A period of consultation on the SciADs is provided to the public as an opportunity to comment and provide additional information. The approach and results for substances identified as low concern in the SciADs may form the basis, in conjunction with any other relevant information that becomes available after the publication of the SciAD, for a conclusion in a screening assessment that will be published at a later time. SciADs can also be used to identify priorities for data gathering, data generation, further scoping or risk assessment.

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Chemical screening and prioritization: Health Canada's automated workflow for prioritization (HAWPr)

In August 2024, the Science Approach Document for the Chemical Screening and Prioritization: Health Canada's Automated Workflow for Prioritization (HAWPr) was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 158, No. 33 – August 17, 2024, for a 60-day public comment period.

Ecological risk classification of organic substances version 2.0 (ERC2)

In March 2022, the Science Approach Document for the Ecological Risk Classification of Organic Substances version 2.0 was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 156, No. 11 – March 12, 2022, for a 60-day public comment period.

Bioactivity exposure ratio: application in priority setting and risk assessment

In March 2021, the Science Approach Document for the Bioactivity Exposure Ratio: Application in Priority Setting and Risk Assessment was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 155, No. 10 – March 6, 2021, for a 60-day public comment period.

Ecological risk classification of inorganic substances (ERC-I)

In January 2020, the updated Science Approach Document for the Ecological Risk Classification of Inorganic Substances was released. The approach was revised based on comments received during the 60-day public comment period on the May 2018 version.

In May 2018, the Science Approach Document for the Ecological Risk Classification of Inorganic Substances was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 152, No. 19 - May 12, 2018, for a 60-day public comment period.

Comments received during the 60-day public comment period and the Government's responses are provided in the summary of public comments received on the Science Approach Document for the Ecological Risk Classification of Inorganic Substances. Comments received will help inform the ensuing risk assessments.

Substances with low human health hazard potential

In March 2019, the updated Science Approach Document for Substances with Low Human Health Hazard Potential was released. The approach was revised based on comments received during the 60-day public comment period on the December 2017 version.

In December 2017, the Science Approach Document for Substances with Low Human Health Hazard Potential was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 151, No. 50 - December 16, 2017, for a 60-day public comment period.

Comments received during the 60-day public comment period and the Government's responses are provided in the summary of public comments received on the Science Approach Document for Substances with Low Human Health Hazard Potential. Comments received will help inform the ensuing risk assessments.

Biomonitoring-based approach 2 for barium-containing substances, molybdenum-containing substances, silver-containing substances, thallium-containing substances and inorganic tin-containing substances

In December 2016, the Science Approach Document for the Biomonitoring-based Approach 2 for Barium-containing Substances, Molybdenum-containing Substances, Silver-containing Substances, Thallium-containing Substances and Inorganic Tin-containing Substances was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 150, No. 50 - December 10, 2016, for a 60-day public comment period.

Comments received during the 60-day public comment period and the Government's responses are provided in the summary of public comments received on the Science Approach Document for the Biomonitoring-based Approach 2 for Barium-containing Substances, Molybdenum-containing Substances, Silver-containing Substances, Thallium-containing Substances and Inorganic Tin-containing Substances. Comments received will help inform the ensuing risk assessments.

Threshold of toxicological concern (TTC)-based approach for certain substances

In October 2016, the Science Approach Document for the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC)-based Approach for Certain Substances was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 150, No. 40 - October 1, 2016, for a 60-day public comment period.

Comments received during the 60-day public comment period and the Government's responses are provided in the summary of public comments received on the Science Approach Document for the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC)-based Approach for Certain Substances. Comments received will help inform the ensuing risk assessments.

Biomonitoring-based approach 1 for beryllium, vanadium, trichlorooxo and vanadium oxide

In September 2016, the Science Approach Document for the Biomonitoring-based Approach 1 for Beryllium, Vanadium, trichlorooxo and Vanadium oxide was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 150, No. 36 - September 3, 2016, for a 60-day public comment period.

Ecological risk classification of organic substances (ERC)

In July 2016, the Science Approach Document for the Ecological Risk Classification of Organic Substances was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 150, No. 31 - July 30, 2016, for a 60-day public comment period.

Comments received during the 60-day public comment period and the Government's responses are provided in the summary of public comments received on the Science Approach Document for the Ecological Risk Classification of Organic Substances. Comments received will help inform the ensuing risk assessments.

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