Aldehydes Group - information sheet
Publications summarized:
On this page
Overview
- The Government of Canada conducts risk assessments of substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) to determine whether they present or may present a risk to human health or to the environment.
- The risks posed by a substance are determined by both its hazardous properties (potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount or extent that people or the environment are exposed.
- When needed, the Government applies risk management instruments under CEPA and other federal acts to help prevent or reduce potential harm.
- The ecological hazard and exposure potentials of 5 of the 6 substances in the Aldehydes Group were classified using the Ecological Risk Classification of Organic Substances (ERC) Approach.
- The 5 substances in the Aldehydes Group are associated with health effects; however, at levels of exposure considered in the assessment, the Government concluded that they are not harmful to human health or to the environment.
About these substances
- The assessment focused on 5 substances, referred to collectively as the Aldehydes Group under the third phase of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). The 5 substances are benzaldehyde, octanal, nonanal, methylbenzaldehyde and vanilla oils.
- The summary of publications section of the Aldehydes Group web page includes details on the substance names and CAS Registry Numbers (RNs).
- Another substance, benzaldehyde, 2-hydroxy-5-nonyl, oxime, branched (CAS RN 174333-80-3), was determined to be of low concern to both human health and the environment through other approaches. Conclusions for this substance are provided in the Substances Identified as Being of Low Concern using the Ecological Risk Classification of Organic Substances and the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC)-based Approach for Certain Substances Screening Assessment.
- The 5 substances in the Aldehydes Group occur naturally in the environment.
- According to information gathered by the Government, these substances are mainly used in Canada in cosmetics, as formulants (not an active ingredient) in pest control products, as non-medicinal ingredients in natural health products, and may be used as food flavouring agents. They may also be used as components in the manufacture of certain food packaging materials; however, exposure from this use is expected to be negligible. Substances in the Aldehydes Group are also present in various other products available to consumers, including air fresheners.
Human and ecological exposures
- The assessment indicated that people in Canada may be exposed to substances in the Aldehydes Group from the use of products available to consumers (for example, body moisturizers, air fresheners), from the environment and from potential use as food flavouring agents and natural occurrence in food.
- According to the information considered under the ERC Approach, the 5 substances in the Aldehydes Group were identified as having low ecological exposure potential.
Key health and ecological effects (hazard)
- To help inform the health effects characterization in the assessment, international reports on these substances were considered, among other sources of information. This included assessments by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), and the Australian Government Department of Health (AGDH).
- Based on laboratory studies, the critical effects identified for characterizing the risk to human health for benzaldehyde were effects on the liver through inhalation exposure. Based on laboratory studies, decreased survival rate was identified as a critical effect through the oral route.
- There were limited health effects (hazard) data for octanal, nonanal and vanilla oils; therefore, a comparative approach using similar chemicals, called read-across, was also used to assess potential health effects.
- The critical effects identified to characterize risk to human health for substances in this group are as follows:
- For octanal and nonanal, effects on stomach and nasal tissues.
- For methylbenzaldehyde, decreased pituitary weight.
- Based on available information, no critical health effects have been identified for vanilla oils.
- According to information considered under the ERC Approach, benzaldehyde, octanal, nonanal and methylbenzaldehyde were identified as having low ecological hazard potential. Vanilla oils was identified as having a high ecological hazard potential; however, the potential effects on the environment were not further investigated due to the low exposure of this substance.
Consideration of subpopulations who may have greater susceptibility or greater exposure
- There are groups of individuals within the Canadian population who, due to greater susceptibility or greater exposure, may be more vulnerable to experiencing adverse health effects from exposure to substances.
- Certain subpopulations are routinely considered throughout the assessment process, such as infants, children, and people of reproductive age. For instance, age-specific exposure estimates are routinely derived and developmental and reproductive toxicity studies are evaluated for potential adverse health effects. For substances in the Aldehydes Group, these subpopulations with potential for higher exposure, and those who may be more susceptible, were taken into account in the risk assessment outcomes.
Risk assessment outcomes
- Assessments focus on information critical to determining whether substances are harmful to human health or the environment under CEPA. This is done by considering scientific information, including information, if available, on subpopulations who may have greater susceptibility or greater exposure, vulnerable environments and cumulative effects and by incorporating a weight of evidence approach and precaution.
- Based upon a comparison of levels to which Canadians may be exposed to substances in the Aldehydes Group and the levels associated with health effects, the risk to human health is considered to be low.
- Based upon the outcome of the ERC Approach, these 5 substances are considered unlikely to be causing ecological harm.
Assessment conclusions
- The Government concluded that the 5 substances in the Aldehydes Group are not harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the assessment.
- The Government also concluded that the 5 substances in the Aldehydes Group are not entering the environment at levels that are harmful.
Related resources
- Substances in the Aldehydes Group are found in products available to consumers. People in Canada should follow any safety warnings and directions related to the product and dispose of products responsibly.
- Use the Substances Search tool to find substances that are referenced in certain legislative or regulatory instruments or on Government of Canada websites.
- Assessments conducted under CEPA focus on risks of exposure of the general population. Hazards related to chemicals used in the workplace are defined within the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). If a substance is harmful to the general population, it could also be of concern for individuals in situations where a higher volume of the substance is used or where the substance is used for a longer duration (for example, the workplace). The Government of Canada recognizes that it is the responsibility of the federal, provincial and territorial occupational health and safety organizations to coordinate legislation for the safe use of chemicals in the workplace. We are working to support this role by integrating the information, tools, and technical expertise of the CMP and Health Canada's Workplace Hazardous Products Program.
