Chemicals and pollutants
Search for a chemical or pollutant to learn more about its effects on your health and how to reduce your risk.
This table is updated on an ongoing basis.
| Chemical or Pollutant | Description |
|---|---|
| Low boiling point naphthas | LBPNs are a group of petroleum substances produced by distilling crude oil. They are present in a wide variety of products available to consumers. |
| Bay oil | Bay oil is extracted from the pimenta plant and is known as an essential oil. It’s generally used as a fragrance ingredient in a variety of products available to consumers and in do-it-yourself applications. Bay oil may be harmful to human health when inhaled or applied to the skin. |
| Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) | Hydrogen sulfide is a colourless gas that has a characteristic rotten egg smell. It is commonly found in air, soil and water. It can be produced as part of normal body functions, or when plants and animals die and decompose. It can also be released from industrial activities and inactive oil and gas wells. |
| Jasmine oil | Jasmine oil, and perfumes and essences of jasmin, are extracted from the flower of the jasmine plant and are known as essential oils. They are generally used as fragrance ingredients in a variety of products available to consumers and in do-it-yourself (DIY) applications. Jasmine oil, and perfumes and essences of jasmin may be harmful to human health when inhaled or applied to the skin. |
| Lilial | Lilial is a synthetic substance generally used as a fragrance ingredient in a variety of products available to consumers. It may be harmful to human health when used in products that are inhaled or applied to the skin everyday. |
| Tarragon oil | Tarragon oil is extracted from the tarragon plant and is known as an essential oil. It’s generally used as a fragrance ingredient in a variety of products available to consumers and in do-it-yourself applications. Tarragon oil may be harmful to human health when inhaled or applied to the skin. |
| Violet oil | Violet oil is extracted from the violet plant and is known as an essential oil. It’s generally used as a fragrance ingredient in a variety of products available to consumers and in do-it-yourself applications. Violet oil may be harmful to human health when it is inhaled or applied to the skin. |
| 1-Bromopropane | 1-Bromopropane is both human-made and occurs naturally. It’s found in indoor air. Using silicone mold release spray, electronic cleaner spray and automotive air conditioning flush can also release this chemical. |
| 1-Butanol | 1-butanol is a chemical that occurs both naturally and in synthetic form. In its synthetic form it may be found in in cosmetics, natural health products, over-the-counter and prescription human and veterinary medications, cleaning agents, automotive care products, epoxy adhesives and as a solvent in paint and ink products. |
| Aluminium | Aluminium occurs both naturally and in synthetic form. It’s found in many products available to consumers. These include arts, crafts and hobby materials, cosmetics, cleaning products, ink, toner and colourants, natural health products and non-prescription drugs, and textiles. It’s also found in automotive care products, building and construction materials, paints and coatings, pest control products and plastics. |
| Asbestos | Asbestos is a naturally occurring fireproof mineral that may be found in building materials such as home insulation, ceiling and floor tiles, cement, and plaster. It has also been used in automotive parts such as brake pads or clutches. |
| Benzyl alcohol | Benzyl alcohol is a chemical that occurs naturally and in synthetic form. In its synthetic form, it may be found in household cleaning products, automotive products and home improvement products. It may also be found in cosmetics, natural health products and over-the-counter and prescription human and veterinary medications. |
| Benzophenone | Benzophenone is both naturally occurring and man-made. It may be found in dust, food, indoor air and products available to consumers, such as nail polish and paint. |
| BHT | Butylated hydroxytoluene, or BHT, is a substance used in many industrial, commercial and consumer applications. It can be used as a preservative in foods and food packaging materials. It can also be found in a variety of products available to consumers. |
| Bisphenol A (BPA) | Bisphenol A (BPA) is a man-made chemical that may be found in the lining of metal food and beverage cans, thermal paper receipts, older polycarbonate baby bottles, and reusable polycarbonate water bottles, pitchers and food storage containers. Polycarbonate is a type of hard, clear plastic. |
| Boric acid | Boric acid (borax, boron or borate) is a naturally occurring chemical found in food, water, rocks and soil. It may also be found in a variety of products available to consumers or as an ingredient for homemade arts and crafts, such as slime. |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | CO is an air pollutant that has no smell, taste, or colour. It comes from burning fuels such as natural gas, propane, oil, coal and wood. Furnaces, heaters, gas stoves, and fireplaces can release CO if they aren't working properly. |
| Chlorocresol | Chlorocresol is a chemical used in pesticides, moisturizers and lotions, and as a lubricant in food processing plants. It's also found as an ingredient in some medicated creams that are used to treat skin irritations, such as eczema and fungi. |
| Coal tars | Coal tars are made from the heating of coal at certain kinds of steel mill facilities. Coal tar refineries break the coal tars down to make coal tar pitch and other industrial chemicals. They may be found in pavement sealants and products available to consumers, such as certain anti-dandruff shampoos. |
| Coumarin 1 | Coumarin 1 is a chemical that's used in a variety of products as a dye, stabilizer or fragrance ingredient. Some products that may contain coumarin 1 include cosmetics and cleaning products. It may also be found in fabrics, textiles and leather items. |
| Decenes | Decene is the name of a group of chemicals that share a common chemical structure. They can be found in products such as lubricants and greases, as well as certain cosmetics including lipsticks, cleansers, and creams. |
| Dust and dust mites | Dust mites are microscopic organisms that live in beds, carpets, furniture, clothes, and anywhere that dust settles. Dust and dust mites are found everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. |
| Flame retardants | Flame retardants are man-made chemicals that are added to some products to help limit the spread of fire. They may be found in products such as electronics, clothing, mattresses and upholstered furniture. |
| Formaldehyde | Formaldehyde is an invisible, flammable gas found in various building materials and products available to consumers, including glues, adhesives, paints, varnishes, wallpaper, and more. |
| Furan compounds | Furan compounds are used by industry to make some products available to consumers, such as glues, wood strippers, paint and varnish removers. The furan compounds group contains 4 commercial chemicals: furan, furfuryl alcohol, tetrahydrofuran, and phenolphthalein. |
| Guaiazulene | Guaiazulene is a naturally occurring substance that is found in plants and many essential oils. It gives cosmetics a blue colour and is used in self-care products. |
| Lead | Lead is a metal that may be used in some products available to consumers such as pipes, electronics and batteries. Canadians can be exposed at low levels through air, water, soil and food. |
| Mandarin and tangerine oils | Mandarin and tangerine oils are found in plants. They may be used as flavouring agents in foods, as fragrance or as flavour enhancers in cosmetics, natural food products, non-prescription drugs, and cleaning products. |
| Methanol | Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, can occur both naturally and in its synthetic form. It may be found in automotive products, cosmetics, natural health products, therapeutic products, cleaning agents, adhesives and paint products. |
| Methyl Acetate | Methyl acetate can occur naturally in fruits or plants. It has been measured in indoor air. It's used mainly as a solvent in a variety of products available to consumers. These include nail products, cleansers and exfoliants, spray paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, and paint strippers or removers. |
| Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) substances | MDIs are man-made substances that are used in polyurethane products, such as coatings, sealants, foam insulation, packaging wraps, particle board, and foam slabs. MDI substances can also be found in do-it-yourself (DIY) products available to consumers, including adhesives and sealants. |
| Mould | Mould refers to fungi that can grow naturally in damp areas of a building, such as bathrooms, basements and laundry areas. |
| NMP | N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) is a human-made chemical used mainly as a solvent in industrial settings. It’s also found in a variety of products available to consumers. |
| Parabens | Parabens are a group of chemicals most commonly used as preservatives, antimicrobials, flavour enhancers and fragrance ingredients. They can be found in everyday products such as drugs, cosmetics, pesticides, and natural health products, as well as in some foods. |
| Pesticides | Pesticides refer to many products we use on a regular basis such as swimming pool sanitizers, insect repellents, mothballs, and flea protection products for pets. |
| Petrolatum | Petrolatum is a petroleum-based chemical found in certain cosmetics like lip balm, petroleum jelly, hair care products, and moisturizers. |
| PFAS | PFAS are a broad group of over 4,700 human-made substances that are used in a wide range of products. They can be found in drugs, vehicles, lubricants, cosmetics, surfactants, electronics firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, food packaging materials, repellents (for dirt, water and grease) and textiles (carpets, furniture and clothing). |
| Phthalates | Phthalates are chemicals that are used to soften and increase flexibility of some plastics. They are also used as solvents in household products. They can be found in everyday products such as food packaging, cosmetics, building materials, fabrics and textiles, paints and electronics. |
| Poly(hexamethylenebiguanide) (PHMB) | Poly(hexamethylenebiguanide), or PHMB, does not occur naturally in the environment. PHMB is used as an antimicrobial agent or preservative. It's also used as an antiseptic, sanitizer or deodorizer in a wide range of products available to consumers. |
| Quaternium-15 | Quaternium-15 may be used in some cosmetics, natural health products, over-the-counter drugs, cleaning products, paints and coatings. It's also used in the automotive, aircraft and transportation industry. |
| Radon | Radon is an invisible and odourless, radioactive gas that is naturally released from the ground. |
| Rose oil | Rose oil is found naturally in plants. It may be used to flavour foods, but is primarily used as a fragrance in cosmetic and natural health products, such as makeup, hair care, cleansers, lotion, and bath and massage products. |
| Salicylic acid | Salicylic acid is a chemical that occurs naturally in the environment. It may be used in products including natural health products, non-prescription drugs, self-care products, and household products. |
| Sandalwood oil | Sandalwood oil is extracted from some species of sandalwood tress. It is used as a fragrance in self-care products and as an ingredient in pesticides. |
| Second-hand smoke | Second-hand smoke comes from burning tobacco products and from exhaled tobacco smoke. Tobacco smoke contains chemicals, such as nicotine and carcinogens, which are released into the air during smoking. |
| Selenium | Selenium is a naturally occurring mineral found in the soil, in foods like fish and breads, and in certain products available to consumers, such as anti-dandruff shampoos, multi-vitamin and mineral supplements. |
| Solvent Violet 13 | Solvent Violet 13 is a chemical that is used as a dye. It can be found in products available to consumers, such as candles, cosmetics, pet shampoos, and non-plastic toys. |
| T & T clove oil | T & T clove oil is a by-product from clove oil processing. It may be used as a body fragrance in self-care products and as an ingredient in pesticides. |
| Talc | Talc is a naturally-occurring mineral which has many uses. It may be found in cosmetics, prescription and non-prescription drugs, natural health products, foods, plastics, paper, paint and ceramics. |
| Turpentine and turpentine oil | Turpentine and turpentine oil come from evergreen trees. They may be used to flavour foods. They are also found in natural food products, cosmetics, paints and coatings, adhesives, sealants, and automotive products. |
| Triclosan | Triclosan is a man-made chemical often added to products to ensure a longer shelf life. It is also used to kill bacteria in many household products such as toothpaste and hand sanitizer, which often display the label "antibacterial." |
| Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) | VOCs are a large group of naturally-occurring and man-made substances that can have many sources, including smoke, some paints and varnishes, cleaning products, glues, adhesives, air fresheners, and vehicle exhaust. |
| Wood smoke | Wood smoke is made up of different chemical components, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and small particles. It can enter your home through the use of wood stoves and fireplaces. |
Page details
- Date modified: