Summary of public comments received on the draft screening assessment for heptamethylnonane

Screening assessments conducted under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) are based on the available data.

These screening assessments focus on assessing risk to the general population.

The additional information submitted on the stability and reactivity and physical hazards of heptamethylnonane (HMN) may be more relevant to inform individuals who may come into contact with high concentrations of the substance regularly, which is not applicable for the general Canadian population. The concerns raised for inhalation, dermal, and acute effects have either already been considered in the assessment or have not been substantiated by additional substance-specific data or toxicity studies from the literature. These above-mentioned concerns were not considered to impact the conclusions of the assessment.

Screening assessments conducted under CEPA are based on the available data. Under the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP), screening assessments focus on risks of exposure to the general population, rather than risks of exposures in the workplace. Hazards related to chemicals used in the workplace are defined within the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).

The Government of Canada is currently working with the provinces and territories to explore ways to enhance the protection of workers from exposure to chemicals by integrating and leveraging the information, tools, and/or technical expertise of the CMP and Health Canada’s Workplace Hazardous Products Program.