NMP and your health

Learn about NMP, its health risks and how to reduce your exposure.

On this page

• About NMP
• Safety of NMP
• What we're doing to reduce your exposure
• What you can do to reduce your exposure

About NMP

N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) is a human-made chemical used mainly as a solvent in industrial settings. It's also found in a variety of products available to consumers, such as:

• prescription drugs
• paints and coatings
• pest control products
• adhesives and sealants
• paint and coating removers
• self-care products, like certain:
  • hair products
  • nail care and synthetic nail products
  • eyelash adhesives and adhesive removers
• cleaning and degreasing products
• automotive interior cleaning products

Safety of NMP

Under Canada's Chemicals Management Plan, we review and manage the potential risks that chemical substances can pose to consumers and the environment. The first stage of the review process is a draft chemical risk assessment.

A draft chemical risk assessment of NMP was completed in 2017. Since then, new information indicates that some products containing NMP may pose a health risk. As a result, we have updated the draft assessment.

We're proposing that exposure to high concentrations of NMP in certain outdoor deck construction adhesives may be harmful to human health. If it's inhaled or comes into contact with skin, it may affect:

• fertility and reproduction
• fetal growth and development

People of reproductive age or who are pregnant are most at risk.

We're also proposing that NMP:

• is not harmful to the environment
• does not pose a health risk from other uses or sources

What we're doing to reduce your exposure

Our assessment is not yet final. We're continuing to evaluate the potential risk posed by NMP before we publish our final conclusion. This includes:

• tracking new information on exposures or hazards
• asking the public to comment on our draft assessment
• reviewing and using new information and public comments to help inform our final assessment

If the proposed findings for this substance are confirmed in the final assessment, we will consider:

• adding it to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
  • this would allow Canada to implement preventive or control actions to reduce exposures at any point of the life cycle of the substance, including:
    • research and development
    • manufacture
    • use
    • storage
    • transport
    • disposal or recycling
• taking action to reduce exposures to NMP in adhesive products available to consumers, including deck construction adhesives

You can provide any comments on our draft assessment during the 60-day public comment period.

What you can do to reduce your exposure

You can take steps to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals.

Read product labels and follow all safety warnings and directions:

• labels on cosmetics must list all ingredients and instructions for use
• NMP may be listed on ingredient labels as:
  • Methyl pyrrolidone
  • N-methyl pyrrolidone
  • 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidinone

Follow the manufacturer's directions to dispose of the product safely.

If you're unsure if your product contains NMP, contact the manufacturer.

If you're exposed to NMP at work, talk to your employer and occupational health and safety (OHS) official about:

• relevant laws
• safe handling and storage practices
• requirements under OHS legislation and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Related links

• Use household chemicals safely
• Measuring your exposure to chemicals
• Canada's systems for addressing chemicals
• Overview of the Chemicals Management Plan

For industry and professionals

• NMP and NEP – information sheet
• Risk assessment of chemical substances