Archived Lot 2: Priority C (lower hazard) micro-organism strains

Priority C (lower hazard) micro-organism strains on the Domestic Substances List (DSL)

What are they?

• Lot 2 consists of two industrial micro-organism strains:
  • Nitrosococcus sp. 16971-6
  • Nitrococcus sp. 16972-7
• These are strains of micro-organisms (bacteria) that can be found in nature.
• These strains have characteristics in common with other strains of the species Nitrosococcus and Nitrococcus.
• Nitrosococcus sp. and Nitrococcus sp. are not known to cause disease in humans, plants or animals.

How are they used?

• The micro-organism strains in Lot 2 were not reported to be manufactured in or imported into Canada.
• The characteristics of the micro-organism strains in Lot 2 make them suitable for use in various applications, including aquarium and pond treatment, wastewater treatment, soil biodegradation, production of enzymes, and pharmaceutical and personal care products.

Why did the Government of Canada assess them?

• These Priority C (lower hazard) micro-organisms on the Domestic Substances List (DSL) must undergo an assessment under the Chemicals Management Plan to determine whether they have the potential to cause harm to human health or the environment.

How are they released to the environment?

• According to information available to the Government of Canada, the micro-organism strains in Lot 2 are not being released into the environment because they are not in commerce in Canada.

How are Canadians exposed to them?

• According to information available to the Government of Canada, the general population of Canada is not exposed to the micro-organism strains in Lot 2 since they are not in commerce in Canada.

What are the results of the assessment?

• The Government of Canada has conducted a science-based evaluation of Lot 2 micro-organism strains, called a screening assessment.
• Screening assessments address potential for harm to the general population in Canada and the environment.
• Hazards related to micro-organisms used in the workplace should be classified accordingly under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).
• The micro-organism strains in Lot 2 are not considered to be harmful because they are not in commerce and are not hazardous.
• The Government of Canada has therefore concluded that the micro-organism strains in Lot 2 are not entering the environment in a quantity or under conditions that constitute a danger to the environment.
• The Government of Canada has also concluded that the micro-organism strains in Lot 2 are not harmful to the health of the general population at current levels of exposure.
• Furthermore, foreseeable new activities involving the micro-organism strains in Lot 2 are not expected to cause harm.

What is the Government of Canada doing?

• The Final Screening Assessment for the Micro-organism Strains in Lot 2 was published on February 14, 2015.
• Based on the conclusion of the final screening assessment, the Government of Canada will take no further action on the micro-organism strains in Lot 2.

What can Canadians do?

• As a general precaution, Canadians are reminded when using any product to carefully follow any safety warnings and directions.