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 of exposure to people and the environment.
When needed, the Government implements risk management measures under CEPA 1999 and other federal acts to help prevent or reduce potential harm.
Substances in the Poly(alkoxylates/ethers) Group are associated with health and ecological effects; however, at levels of exposure considered in the screening assessment, the Government concluded that these substances are not harmful to human health or to the environment.
The screening assessment focused on 21 substances, referred to collectively as the Poly(alkoxylates/ethers) Group, which were assessed under the third phase of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). The substances are organized into subgroups:
poly(propylene glycol) (PPG; 1 substance),
paraformaldehyde (PF; 1 substance),
alcohol ethoxylate sulfates (AESs; 3 substances),
alcohol ethoxylates (AEs; 8 substances),
octylphenol ethoxylates (OPEs; 2 substances), and
alkyl amine ethoxylates (ANEOs; 6 substances).
One ANEO substance (CAS RN 68155-39-5) was considered a priority based on the results of the identification of risk assessment priorities (IRAP) process in 2015 while the other 20 substances were identified as priorities for assessment in 2006.
These substances were previously evaluated under the second phase of polymer rapid screening, which identified the substances in this group for further assessment due to potential human health and/or ecological risks.
PPG, PF and 1 substance in the ANEO subgroup (POEA; CAS RN 61791-26-2) were assessed for the potential to cause harm to human health.
The AES, AE, OPE and ANEO subgroups were all assessed for the potential to cause ecological harm.
These substances do not occur naturally in the environment. According to information gathered by the Government, these substances have a wide variety of industrial and consumer uses in Canada. Various substances in this group are registered active ingredients or formulants in pest control products. Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) regulates these uses under the Pest Control Products Act, and the CMP screening assessment focused on the potential effects of non-pesticidal uses of the substances.
PPG is used in Canada to hinder the formation of foam in liquids, and as an absorbency aid, surfactant, lubricant, and hardener/resin for adhesive systems. PPG is prepared industrially and is reported to be used in coatings for paper and cans, pulping processes, water treatment systems, laminated films, inks, textile dyes, paper-based materials, paint, as a component of an incidental additive used in food processing establishments, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, toys, and personal care products (for example, cosmetics, natural health products and non-prescription drugs).
PF is used in industrial manufacturing and it may be used in the manufacture of adhesives, sealants, agricultural products, coatings, inks, as a component in the manufacture of food packaging materials, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, toys and other products available to consumers.
The 3 AESs in the assessment are surfactants used primarily in products available to consumers.
The 8 AEs in the screening assessment are used as surfactants in many sectors, but are found primarily in products available to consumers, such as cleaners.
The 2 OPEs in the screening assessment are surfactants used in paints and coatings as well as products available to consumers.
The 6 ANEOs in the screening assessment are surfactants used primarily in oil and gas extraction, metal working fluids and products available to consumers.
Human and ecological exposures
The screening assessment indicated that exposure of Canadians to PPG and PF is expected to be minimal, due to the physical-chemical properties and current use patterns of these substances.
PF can release formaldehyde; however, the release of formaldehyde at ambient (room) temperature is very slow and PF is used up during manufacturing, leaving only trace amounts of unreacted PF or formaldehyde in products available to consumers. Therefore, the contribution of PF to ambient formaldehyde is expected to be low.
Exposure of Canadians to AESs, AEs and OPEs was characterized using the approach outlined in the second phase of polymer rapid screening, and was found to be high from the use of these substances in products available to consumers and intended for consumption or application to the body.
Five of the 6 ANEOs were previously screened through the second phase of the polymer rapid screening, which identified them as having either low exposure to Canadians or low human health hazard.
Exposure of Canadians to the sixth substance in the ANEO subgroup, CAS RN 61791-26-2 (amines, tallow alkyl, ethoxylated or POEA), was found to be moderate due to its widespread applications.
Exposure of the environment to PPG and PF was assessed in the second phase of polymer rapid screening.
The substances in the AES, AE, OPE, and ANEO subgroups may be released to the environment while being used to formulate products available to consumers, and through improper disposal of products containing these substances.
Key health and ecological effects (hazard)
PPG, PF and the substances in the AES, AE, OPE subgroups are considered to be of low hazard to human health.
Through the second phase of polymer rapid screening, 5 of the 6 substances in the ANEO subgroup were identified as being of low hazard to human health. POEA was identified as being of moderate hazard to human health.
No parts of the PPG and PF molecules are associated with concerns for the environment.
The substances in the AES, AE, OPE and ANEO subgroups are associated with adverse effects to fish, invertebrates and algae at certain levels.
Risk assessment outcomes
Based upon a comparison of levels to which Canadians may be exposed to POEA, and the levels associated with health effects, the risk to human health for this substance is low. Considering all information presented in the human health assessment, the risk to Canadians from substances in the Poly(alkoxylate/ethers) Group is low.
Considering all information presented in the ecological assessment, the substances in the Poly(alkoxylates/ethers) Group are considered unlikely to be causing ecological harm.
Screening assessment conclusions
The Government concluded that the substances in the Poly(alkoxylates/ethers) Group are not harmful to human health at levels of exposure considered in the screening assessment, and that these substances are not entering the environment at levels that are harmful.
Related resources
It is noted in the Priority Substances List Assessment Report for Nonylphenol and its Ethoxylates (NPEs), that NPEs and OPEs are structurally similar and have similar physical-chemical properties. Additionally, both NPEs and OPEs have similar ecological hazards and their degradation products have similar endocrine (estrogen) disrupting potential. Therefore, from an environmental perspective, the 2 OPE surfactants in this screening assessment would not be considered suitable substitutes to NPEs.
Some substances in the Poly(alkoxylates/ethers) Group are found in products available to consumers. Canadians should follow any safety warnings and directions related to the products 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.
