Targeted environmental monitoring to support the Chemicals Management Plan

Metal speciation and pesticides in Canadian house dust samples

This three year project initiated in 2008 is measuring background levels of metals and pesticides in house dust in homes across Canada. The project has two main components: an analysis of metals in household dust samples and a surveillance study of pesticide residues in household dust. It is identifying which metal compounds are found in household dust in order to assist in understanding which compounds occur inside homes and their possible sources. This includes a wide range of metals, including lead, chromium, antimony, nickel, zinc, and copper.

For more detailed information about the Canadian House Dust Study please refer to the following website:

• The Canadian House Dust Study

National indoor air survey of chemicals under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Chemicals Management Plan

The primary objective of this three year study initiated in 2008 is to measure selected priority chemicals listed under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Chemicals Management Plan in Canadian residential indoor air. Indoor air samples are being collected and analyzed in a randomly selected national sample of Canadian homes whose occupants are participating in the Canadian Health Measures Survey. At the same time, outdoor (ambient) air concentrations from selected major cities and rural areas is being determined in the sampling sites of Environment Canada's National Air Pollution Surveillance program to generate baseline information for target chemicals in these areas.

National survey of disinfection by-products and selected contaminants in Canadian drinking water

This three year study initiated in 2008 is examining levels of disinfection by-products, both new and regulated, and selected emerging contaminants in Canadian drinking water. Sixty water treatment plants and distribution systems are being sampled across Canada. More than one hundred water quality parameters and contaminant concentrations are being determined for each location. The results will provide updated exposure data to be used in the preparation/update of Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.

Dietary exposure of young children to emerging persistent organic pollutants and plasticizers

This three year project initiated in 2008 is producing child-specific dietary exposure estimates for a number of emerging persistent organic pollutants and plasticizers. Foods frequently consumed by infants and young children are being analyzed for contaminants including perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and bisphenol A. Dietary exposure of children to these chemicals is being calculated using the food concentration data obtained from this study and existing food intake data for young Canadians. The outcomes of this study will complement other ongoing Health Canada biomonitoring projects that are measuring the same chemicals in blood and human milk. This study will provide needed information on children's exposure to more short-lived contaminants that are rapidly excreted, such as bisphenol A, whose long-term exposure is not well-characterized by measurements in blood or other biological matrices.

Human exposure assessment of perfluorinated compounds in fish caught near possible major industrial sources, and effects of skin removal and cooking on exposure

This two year project initiated in 2009 is estimating dietary exposures to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) for consumers of Ontario sport fish caught near possible major industrial sources. Fish are being collected near facilities such as adhesives and packaging manufacturing plants, near a former PFC spill site, as well as sewage treatment plants. The effects of food preparation, such as cooking and skin removal, on concentrations of PFCs in the fish are being examined so that better estimates of human dietary exposure can be obtained.