Summary of Public Comments Received on the Government of Canada’s Draft Screening Assessment Report on Disperse Blue 77 (CAS No. 20241-76-3)
Formal comments made during the 60-day public comment period that took place from August 23, 2008 to October 22, 2008 on the draft screening assessment report on Disperse Blue 77, a substance included in Batch 3 of substances to be addressed as part of the Chemicals Management Plan Challenge were provided by Reach for Unbleached Foundation.
A summary of comments and responses is included below, organized by topic:
- Releases to the Environment
- Persistence, Bioaccumulation and inherent Toxicity
| Topic | Comment | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Releases to the Environment | There is a lack of information on the amount of Disperse Blue 77 imported into Canada and any potential releases from such products. There is a lack of environmental monitoring concentrations in Canada for Disperse Blue 77. | The assessment is based on available information using the current state of the science and the resulting modelled environmental concentrations were estimated conservatively – to ensure that potential for exposure is not underestimated. There is a possibility that this substance may be included in future monitoring programs. |
| Persistence, Bioaccumulation and inherent Toxicity | The persistence and bioaccumulation assessment is limited by the lack of data. | The assessment is based on available information using the current state of the science. When used in bioaccumulation models, this predicts a low bioaccumulation/bioconcentration potential, therefore based on available information, Disperse Blue 77 is not bioaccumulative. Disperse Blue 77 is relatively inert and has a low potential for biodegradation. In general, pigments are designed to be persistent. |
| Based on the anticipated release pattern for Disperse Blue 77 soil as a medium of exposure is not well addressed by the effects data available. | No soil or sediment toxicity data were available, acute toxicity values were generally low and the medium of most concern based upon the exposure scenario was water. Considering the current release scenarios, the quantities used in Canada and the low aquatic toxicities, it is expected that Disperse Blue 77 poses little risk to soil or sediment dwelling organisms in Canada. |