Caprolactam - information sheet

Publications summarized:

The Government of Canada conducts risk assessments of substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) 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 both by its hazardous properties (potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount or extent of exposure to people and the environment.
- When needed, the Government implements risk management measures under CEPA 1999 or other federal acts to help prevent or reduce potential harm.
As a result of the draft screening assessment, the Government is proposing that caprolactam is not harmful to human health or to the environment at levels of exposure considered in the assessment.

The screening assessment focuses on the substance 2H-azepin-2-one, hexahydro-, also referred to as caprolactam under the third phase of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP).
The ecological hazard and exposure potentials of this substance were classified using the Ecological Risk Classification of Organic Substances (ERC) Approach.
Caprolactam occurs naturally in some plants.
According to information gathered by the Government, this substance is used in Canada in the production of Nylon 6 polymers (used in the manufacture of textiles, carpets, industrial yarns and engineering plastics), as well as in some products available to consumers such as cosmetics, diapers, and 3D printing filaments. Caprolactam is also used as a plasticizer, and in paints and coatings, glue sticks and other adhesives. It may also be used as a component in the manufacture of certain food packaging materials and as a food flavouring agent.

The screening assessment indicates that the predominant sources of exposure from the use of products available to consumers are glue sticks and from Nylon 6 in carpets, lipsticks, diapers, and 3D printing filaments. Canadians may be exposed to caprolactam from the environment (for example, indoor air) and food packaging materials.
According to the information considered under the ERC Approach, caprolactam was identified as having low ecological exposure potential.

To help inform the health effects characterization in the screening assessment, international reports of data on these substances were considered, among other sources of information. This included assessments by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Cooperative Chemicals Assessment Programme and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
The critical effects identified for characterizing the risk to human health forcaprolactam were effects on bodyweight, clinical effects, as well as effects on the larynx (throat).
According to information considered under the ERC Approach, caprolactam was identified as having a low ecological hazard potential.

Based upon a comparison of levels to which Canadians may be exposed to caprolactam and the levels associated with health effects, the risk to human health for this substance is considered to be low. Based upon the outcome of the ERC Approach, caprolactam is considered unlikely to be causing ecological harm.

The Government is proposing that caprolactam is not harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the assessment.
The Government is also proposing that caprolactam is not entering the environment at levels that are harmful.

Caprolactam is found in products available to consumers. Canadians should follow any safety warnings and directions related to the product and dispose of products responsibly.
Visit Do it for a Healthy Home for information on chemical safety in and around the home.
Use the Substances Search tool to find substances that are referenced in certain legislative or regulatory instruments or on Government of Canada websites.
The screening assessment focuses on potential risks from exposure of the general population of Canada, rather than occupational exposure. Hazards related to chemicals used in the workplace are defined within the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). For information concerning workplace health and safety and what steps to take in the workplace, Canadians should consult their employer and/or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulator in their jurisdiction.