Pesticide assessments in Canada: Risk management
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Developing risk management measures
Before a pesticide is approved in Canada, we set rules for how it should be used. These rules are called risk management measures. The goal of these measures is to lower pesticide risk to people and the environment. PMRA scientists and risk managers use value and risk assessments to develop risk management measures.
If risk management measures can't protect human health and the environment, we will not approve a pesticide in Canada.
Risk management measures can change as more information becomes available. We often use many risk management measures, rather than just one measure.
Risk management measures can include:
- changes to the formulation or physical and chemical make-up of a pesticide
- conditions for how a pesticide can be used
- amount: how much pesticide can be used
- timing and frequency: when and how often a pesticide can be used
- pre-harvest interval: the length of time before pesticide-treated food can be harvested
- restricted entry intervals: the length of time before people can enter a pesticide-treated area
- restrictions to the crop(s) or site where a pesticide can be used
- requiring spray buffer zones (an area downwind from the site where a pesticide is used) to protect plants, animals and the environment from pesticide drift
- use of personal protective equipment (protective eyewear, chemical-resistant clothing, coveralls and respirators)
- conditions on the professional qualification of the person using the pesticide
- conditions on safe storage and disposal of the pesticide
- cancelling or removing a use of the pesticide
We develop risk management measures for each pesticide to make sure that it can effectively manage pests and protect human health and the environment.
Monitoring and evaluation
After a pesticide is approved, we continue to monitor and evaluate it to make sure it's used responsibly.
Our monitoring and evaluation activities include:
Routine inspections and enforcement of compliance
Inspectors and scientists at Health Canada are responsible for the national compliance and enforcement program. We regularly monitor pesticide users to make sure they use pesticides according to the labels. Provincial and territorial agencies, other federal government departments, and pesticide companies all monitor pesticide use.
Health Canada Pesticide Compliance Program
PMRA Incident Reporting Program
Companies and people in Canada can report any incidents related to pesticides. These reports help us identify risks to people's health and the environment so we can take action. We evaluate serious effects right away and apply management measures.
Pesticide sales reporting
We track pesticide sales through a mandatory program for pesticide companies. Data from the program helps us estimate pesticide use. The program also gives us information to make sure a pesticide still meets the requirements for protecting human health and the environment.
Mandatory Pesticides Sales Reporting
Food residue monitoring
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) tests food in Canada to check pesticide residue levels. They put out a report on chemical residue monitoring and food safety every year. At Health Canada, we investigate any food with pesticide residue levels above the legal limit and take action to keep people safe.
National Chemical Residue Monitoring Program and Chemistry Food Safety Oversight Report
Health surveys
Statistics Canada, in partnership with Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, leads the national Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). The CHMS collects health measures for people in Canada. PMRA scientists use the CHMS to refine risk assessments.
Canadian Health Measures Survey
Re-evaluation and special reviews
We re-evaluate pesticides every 15 years to make sure they still meet current standards and requirements to protect health and the environment. If there is new information about an approved pesticide that has reasonable grounds for concern about human health or the environment, then we evaluate it through a special review.
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