Short-chain alkanes

This substance was identified for action under the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP).

• Summary of publications
• Timelines
• Background

Summary of publications

Substance group	CAS RN	Common name	DSL name	Public comments on the draft screening assessment	Final screening assessment	Conclusion on section 64 criteria	Follow-up activities
Short-chain alkanes	74-84-0	Ethane	Ethane	HTML	HTML	Does not meet	None planned at this time
	74-98-6	Propane	Propane
	75-28-5	Isobutane, in the absence of 1,3-butadiene	Propane, 2-methyl
	106-97-8	Butane, in the absence of 1,3-butadiene	Butane
	68513-65-5	Butane, branched and linear	Butane, branched and linear

Timelines

Date	Activity
November 25, 2017	Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 151, No. 47 of the final screening assessment decisions under subsection 77(6) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999)
January 28, 2017	Publication and start of 60-day public comment period on the draft screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 151, No. 4.

Background

The substance 1,3-butadiene was assessed by the Government of Canada in 2000 and was found to be harmful to human health and to the environment. It was added to the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 of CEPA 1999, and is currently subject to ongoing risk management activities.

The substances isobutane containing 1,3-butadiene and butane containing 1,3-butadiene were assessed under the Challenge initiative under the Chemicals Management Plan in 2009. The screening assessment concluded that exposure to 1,3-butadiene from the uses of butane and isobutane should be considered in relation to ongoing risk management activities. It also specified that a screening assessment of isobutane and butane, in the absence of 1,3-butadiene, would be conducted at a later time.

This screening assessment for short-chain alkanes fulfils the commitment to assess the substances isobutane and butane, in the absence of 1,3-butadiene.