Fatty Amides Group - information sheet

13-Docosenamide, (Z)-  (erucamide)
CAS Registry Number 112-84-5

9-Octadecenamide, (Z) - oleamide)
CAS Registry Number 301-02-0

Isooctadecanoic acid, reaction products with tetraethylenepentamine (IODA reaction products with TEPA)
CAS Registry Number 68784-17-8

On this page

• Overview
• About these substances
• Human and ecological exposures
• Key health and ecological effects (hazard)
• Risk assessment outcomes
  • Screening assessment conclusions
• Related information

Overview

• The Government of Canada conducted a science-based evaluation, called a screening assessment to address the potential for harm to Canadians and to the environment from 3 substances in the Fatty Amides Group.
• Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), the risk posed by a substance is determined by considering both its hazardous properties (its potential to cause adverse human health or ecological effects) and the amount of exposure there is to people and the environment. A substance may have hazardous properties; however, the risk to human health or to the environment may be low depending upon the level of exposure.
  • More information on assessing risk can be found in the Overview of Risk Assessment and related fact sheets, particularly on Types of Risk Assessment Documents and the Risk Assessment Toolbox.
• The ecological hazard and exposure potentials of these 3 substances were classified using the Ecological Risk Classification of Organic Substances Approach.
• Erucamide, oleamide, and IODA reaction products with TEPA have no hazardous effects and the risk to human health and the environment from these substances is low. Therefore, it is concluded that these 3 substances are not harmful to human health or to the environment.

About these substances

• This screening assessment focuses on 3 of 12 substances referred to collectively as the Fatty Amides Group. These substances were assessed under the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). The substances addressed in this screening assessment are erucamide, oleamide, and IODA reaction products with TEPA.
• There were 5 other substances in the Fatty Amides Group identified under the CMP that were determined to be of low concern to both human health and the environment through other approaches. Conclusions for CAS RNs 68478-81-9 and 71820-35-4; and Confidential DSL Numbers 11557-1, 11555-8, and 11053-1 are provided in the Screening Assessment for the Rapid Screening of Substances with Limited General Population Exposure.
• Additionally, 4 substances (CAS RNs 120-40-1, 142-78-9, 68153-35-5, and 68603-42-9) were placed into other substance groups, to which they are more appropriately suited on the basis of scientific considerations.
• Erucamide and oleamide can be both human-made and occur naturally in the environment (for example, as a result of forest fires or plants and animals).  These substances can also be produced while cooking with seed oils.
• IODA reaction products with TEPA do not occur naturally in the environment.
• The Government gathered information on these substances, including details on their sources and uses in Canada, to support risk assessment and risk management of substances under the CMP.
• Erucamide and oleamide are used in the manufacture of plastic and rubber materials, and they may be found in a variety of products available to consumers.
• Uses of IODA reaction products with TEPA in Canada are limited to lubricants and greases, primarily as components in marine engine oils.

Human and ecological exposures

• Due to their presence in plastics, Canadians may be exposed to erucamide and oleamide through the use of various products available to consumers (for example, automotive care products, compostable bags, toys, and playground and sporting equipment).
• Based upon the limited use of IODA reaction products with TEPA in lubricants and greases, exposure to Canadians from this substance is expected to be minimal.
• According to information considered under the Ecological Risk Classification of organic substances approach, erucamide was identified as having high ecological exposure potential due to its overall persistence and large use volumes, while oleamide and IODA reaction products with TEPA were identified as having moderate and low ecological exposure potential, respectively.

Key health and ecological effects (hazard)

• No effects of concern for human health have been identified for erucamide, oleamide, and IODA reaction products with TEPA.
• According to information considered under the Ecological Risk Classification of organic substances approach, these substances were also identified as having a low ecological hazard potential.

Risk assessment outcomes

• On the basis of the information presented in this screening assessment, the risk to human health from these substances is considered to be low.
• Based upon the outcome of the Ecological Risk Classification of organic substances approach erucamide, oleamide, and IODA reaction products with TEPA are considered unlikely to cause ecological harm.
• The Government of Canada published the Final Screening Assessment for the Fatty Amides Group on April 27, 2019.

Screening assessment conclusions

• As a result of this assessment, the Government is concluding that erucamide, oleamide, and IODA reaction products with TEPA are not harmful to human health at current levels of exposure.
• The Government is also concluding that these 3 substances are not entering the environment at levels that are harmful to the environment.

Related information

• Substances in the Fatty Amides Group may be found in products available to consumers. Canadians should follow any safety warnings and directions on product labels and dispose of products responsibly.
• Canadians who may be exposed to these substances in the workplace can consult with their employer and an occupational health and safety (OHS) representative about safe handling practices, applicable laws, and requirements under OHS legislation and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).