Toxic substances list: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are emitted into the Canadian environment from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Forest fires are the single most important natural source of PAHs in Canada. However, since releases from that source are generally widely separated in time and space across the country, they do not result in continuous exposure in any specific area. Anthropogenic sources are numerous and result in emissions of PAHs into all environmental compartments. The greatest anthropogenic sources of PAHs released to the atmosphere are residential wood heating and aluminum smelters. Major sources of PAHs to the aquatic and soil environments include creosote-treated products, spills of petroleum products, metallurgical and coking plants and deposition of atmospheric PAHs.

There is more than one CAS number that applies to this group of substances.

Risk assessment

• Priority substances list assessment report
• Order Adding Toxic Substances to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
• CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances. It is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that:
  a) have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity
  c) constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health
• Full life cycle management of the substance (Track 2) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Sources

This substance is entering the environment from the following sources:

• Steel manufacturing sector
• Wood preservation sector
• Residential wood heating

Risk management tools

Tools developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Environmental performance agreement between Environment Canada and the aluminum and alumina sector
• Environmental performance agreement between Environment Canada and Alcoa
• Environmental performance agreement between Environment Canada and Rio Tinto Alcan
• Environmental code of practice for integrated steel mills
• Recommendations for the design and operation of wood preservation facilities
• Strategic options for the management of toxic substances from the steel manufacturing sector
• Strategic options for the management of toxic substances from the wood preservation sector
• Strategic options for the management of toxic substances from the electric power generation (fossil fuel) sector

Consultation

• Consultation on proposed Regulations for Coal Tar-Based Sealant Products Closed
• Consultation on proposed regulations for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sealant products Open

Other information

• Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI)
• Air Pollutant Emission Inventory (APEI)
• Long-range transboundary air pollution: protocol on persistent organic pollutants
• State of knowledge report for polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) with focus on the Canadian environment

Contact

Substances Management Information Line
Chemicals Management Plan
Environment and Climate Change Canada
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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