Selenium-containing Substance Grouping

Certain selenium-containing substances are among those identified as priorities for action for the second phase of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). The selection of these selenium-containing substances for action is based on the categorization process completed in 2006.

Adding substances to Schedule 1

Selenium and its compounds have been added to Schedule 1.

Summary of publications

Some of these substances (CAS RNs 3425-46-5, 7782-49-2, 7783-07-5 and 144507-49-3) were not identified under subsection 73(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) but were included as part of the moiety-based assessment.

Selenium-containing substances on the Domestic Substances List
CAS RN Chemical substance Final RIAS Public comments on the draft screening assessment and risk management scope Final screening assessment Public comments on the proposed risk management approach and proposed Schedule 1 order Proposed risk management approach
1306-24-7 Cadmium selenide (CdSe) HTML HTML HTML HTML HTML
3425-46-5 Selenocyanic acid, potassium salt
5819-01-2 Dodecane, 1,1'-selenobis-
7446-08-4 Selenium oxide (SeO2)
7446-34-6 Selenium sulphide
7488-56-4 Selenium sulfide (SeS2)
7782-49-2 Selenium
7783-00-8 Selenious acid
7783-07-5 Hydrogen selenide (H2Se)
7791-23-3 Seleninyl chloride
10102-18-8 Selenious acid, disodium salt
10214-40-1 Selenious acid, copper(2++) salt (1:1)
12002-86-7 Silver selenide (AgSe)
12069-00-0 Lead selenide (PbSe)
12137-76-7 Palladium selenide (PdSe)
12214-12-9 Cadmium selenide sulfide (Cd2SeS)
12626-36-7 Cadmium selenide sulfide (Cd(Se,S))
12656-57-4 C.I. Pigment Orange 20
13410-01-0 Selenic acid, disodium salt
20405-64-5 Copper selenide (Cu2Se)
21559-14-8 Selenium, bis(diethylcarbamodithioato-S)bis(diethylcarbamodithioato-S,S')-
56093-45-9 Selenium sulfide
58339-34-7 C.I. Pigment Red 108
67711-98-2 Slags, dore furnace
69029-73-8 Leach residues, tellurium
121053-28-9 Electrolytes, cobalt-manufg.
129618-35-5 Electrolytes, copper-manufg.
144507-49-3 Slimes and Sludges, sulfuric acid manuf., sulfur dioxide cooling tower, selenium-contg.
152923-45-0 Slimes and Sludges, mercury conc. roasting off gas condensate
Timelines
Date Activity
May 12, 2021 Publication in Canada Gazette, Part II, of a final order adding selenium and its compounds to Schedule 1 to CEPA 1999.
April 18, 2018 Deadline for submission of public comments on the proposed order adding selenium and its compounds to Schedule 1 to CEPA 1999.
February 17, 2018 Publication in Canada Gazette, Part I, of a proposed order adding selenium and its compounds to Schedule 1 to CEPA 1999, and start of 60-day public comment period.
February 14, 2018 Deadline for submission of public comments on the proposed risk management approach.
December 16, 2017 Publication in Canada Gazette, Part I, of final assessment decisions under paragraphs 68(b) and (c) and subsection 77(6) of CEPA 1999, release of proposed risk management approach and start of 60-day public comment period on the proposed risk management approach.
September 16, 2015 Deadline for submission of public comments on the draft screening assessment and the risk management scope.
July 18, 2015 Publication in Canada Gazette, Part I, and start of 60-day public comment period on the draft screening assessment and the risk management scope.
December 1, 2013 Deadline for submission of any voluntary information by interested stakeholders.
October 1, 2013 Deadline for submission of information for the section 71 notice (without an extension).
May 25, 2013 Release of the section 71 notice with respect to certain selenium-containing substances and the accompanying technical documents.
If needed, information gathering tools could be used to inform potential risk management actions.

Final screening assessment and proposed risk management approach

In December 2017, the Final Screening Assessment for Selenium and its Compounds was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 151, No. 50 – December 16, 2017.

The final screening assessment focuses on the selenium moiety (selenium and its compounds), and therefore includes substances containing selenium in all oxidation states (selenite, selenate, elemental, selenide), organic selenium, and all forms of selenium found in the environment. The selenium assessment encompasses all 29 selenium-containing substances on the Domestic Substances List (DSL), including those that met categorization criteria.

The final screening assessment concluded that selenium and its compounds, which includes but is not limited to the 29 selenium-containing substances on the DSL, are harmful to the environment and for certain subpopulations in Canada that have higher selenium intake; however, they are not considered harmful to the general population of Canada. The substances therefore meet the criteria under paragraph 64(a) and 64(c) of CEPA 1999.

A proposed risk management approach was also released at the same time for a 60-day public comment period.

In July 2015, the draft screening assessment and the risk management scope were released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 149, No. 29 - July 18, 2015. There was a 60-day public comment period associated with these publications.

Information gathering

Mandatory survey - section 71 notice

In May 2013, a notice was issued in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 147, No. 22 - May 25, 2013 under section 71 of CEPA 1999. This notice applied to a subset of 23 substances which are part of the Selenium-containing Substance Grouping.

A compilation of the non-confidential data received on selenium-containing substances in response to the section 71 notice, including information submitted on a voluntary basis, is available via the Government of Canada Open Data Portal. Along with the compilation, a non-confidential information summary provides general information on the volume of information received and the substances, activities, substance functions, commercial uses and sectors most often reported.

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