Toxic substances list: lead

Lead is a highly toxic metallic element which occurs naturally in the earth's crust. Being very soft, pliable and highly resistant to corrosion, lead was used in plumbing, gasoline, paint and pewter manufacturing. It was also used to make many other products like lead-acid batteries and radiation shields.

Everyone is exposed to trace amounts of lead through air, soil, household dust, food, drinking water and some consumer products. Even small amounts of lead can be hazardous to human health. Lead exposure in Canada has decreased substantially since the early 1970s mainly because of the phase out of the use of lead in some consumer products. For example, lead is no longer used in food can solder, paint, plumbing, or gasoline (except for use in aircraft and race cars).

Fish and wildlife are also exposed to lead in the environment. Lead poisoning in these species can lead to blindness, muscle paralysis, reduced ability to reproduce, seizures and death. The use of lead in products such as fishing gear, ammunition, and wheel weights is thought to be the main exposure pathway for fish and wildlife. Industrial releases of lead to water and air are also a factor. Fish and birds may be exposed to lead when they mistake the small lead fishing sinkers and jigs for food. Larger scavenger birds are also exposed when they feed on wildlife remains left by hunters using lead ammunition. Lead wheel weights used for tire balancing can fall off while driving and are lost to the environment.

Lead was one of the first substances to be added to the List of Toxic Substances (Schedule 1) of the original Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). Recognizing the value of a healthy environment, the Government of Canada has implemented regulations to address human exposure to lead and the main sources of lead in the environment.

CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) registry number: 7439-92-1

For more information on this substance, please visit the Chemical Substances website.

Risk assessment

• Health Canada State of the Science Report on Lead
• CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances.
• Full life cycle management of the substance (Track 2) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Sources

• Base metals smelting sector
• Air travel
• Industrial, commercial and consumer products
• Pulp and paper industry
• Iron and steel industry
• Mining industry

For more information on the sources of lead in Canada, consult the National Pollutant Release Inventory and the Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory.

Risk management strategy

Strategies and actions recommended to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Risk Management Strategy for Lead

Risk management evaluation

Evaluation of Canada’s efforts to manage risks to the environment and human health caused by lead:

• Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Risk Management Measures for Lead

Risk management tool(s)

Tool(s) to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Wildlife Area Regulations
• The National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations
• Disposal at Sea Regulations
• Proposed Regulations Prohibiting the Manufacture and Import of Wheel Weights Containing Lead in Canada
• Secondary Lead Smelter Release Regulations
• Environmental Codes of Practice for Integrated Steel Mills and for Non-integrated Steel Mills
• Environmental Code of Practice for Base Metals Smelters and Refineries
• Code of Practice to Reduce Fugitive Emissions of Total Particulate Matter and Volatile Organic Compounds from the Iron, Steel and Ilmenite Sector
• Performance Agreements for base metals facilities for the implementation of Base Level Industrial Emissions Requirements
• Gasoline Regulations
• Contaminated Fuel Regulations
• Fuels Information Regulations, No. 1
• Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations
• Environmental Code of Practice for Metal Mines
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations
• Export and Import of Hazardous Wastes and Hazardous Recyclable Material Regulations
• Export of Substances on the Export Control List Regulations
• Migratory Birds Regulations
• Consumer Products Containing Lead Regulations
• Glazed Ceramics and Glassware Regulations
• Kettles Regulations
• Corded Window Covering Products Regulations
• Children’s Jewellery Regulations
• Tobacco Reporting Regulations
• Cosmetic Regulations
• Food and Drug Regulations
• Natural Health Products Regulations
• Standard for lead in fertilizer and supplement products (Fertilizer Act)
• Action level for lead in total livestock diets (Feeds Act)
• Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines
• Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines for Lead
• Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality for Lead

International engagement

Canada's international engagement:

• Long-range transboundary air pollution: protocol on heavy metals
• Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of and Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
• Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade

Consultation

There are no consultations underway.

Other information

• Moving towards using more lead-free fishing tackle
• Study to Gather Use Pattern Information on Lead Sinkers and Jigs and Their Non-Lead Alternatives in Canada (PDF)
• Moving towards using more lead-free ammunition
• Study to Gather Information on uses of Lead Ammunition and their Non-Lead Alternatives in Non-Military Activities in Canada (PDF)
• Releases of Lead from Construction Sheeting used in the Canadian Building Industry
• Hazardcheck Program (PDF)
• First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program
• Northern Contaminants Program
• The Canadian House Dust Study

Contact

Substances Management Information Line
Chemicals Management Plan
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3

Telephone: 1-800-567-1999 (in Canada) or 819-938-3232
Fax: 819-938-3231
E-mail: substances@ec.gc.ca

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