Toxic substances list: inorganic arsenic compounds
Arsenic is an element present in the earth's crust and commonly found in fuel deposits such as coal, petroleum, and various geological formations. Arsenic mobilizes through air, soil, and water through natural processes such as volcanic eruptions and the weathering of rocks. Human activities that release arsenic into the environment include mining, metal and mineral production, the use of arsenical pesticides, coal-fired power generation, and the disposal of domestic and industrial waste. Arsenic can take different chemical forms, including inorganic arsenic which is highly toxic to both humans and the environment.
Arsenic can be transported hundreds of kilometers into the atmosphere before being deposited onto land or into water bodies. In terrestrial environments, arsenic can accumulate in soil and enter the food chain through plant uptake. In aquatic environments, arsenic can bind to particles and settle into sediments, where it may remain for extended periods. Under certain conditions, arsenic can be further remobilized, posing a long-term threat to ecosystems. Plants and animals accumulate arsenic in their tissues when inorganic arsenic compounds are present in the air, water, and food that they breathe, drink and eat. If there is too much arsenic in the body, it can lead to symptoms such as reduced growth, organ damage, and cancer.
Inorganic arsenic compounds are included on the List of Toxic Substances (Schedule 1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). Recognizing the value of a healthy environment, the Government of Canada has implemented regulations and other risk management tools to address human exposure to arsenic and the main sources of arsenic released to the environment.
There is more than one Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number that applies to this group of substances.
Risk assessment
- Priority Substances List Assessment Report
- Order Adding Toxic Substances to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (SOR/2000-109)
- CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances. It is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that:
a) have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity
c) constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health - Full life cycle management of the substance (Track 2) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy
- Approach for a Subset of Inorganic and Organometallic Substances
Sources
This substance is entering the environment from the following sources:
- mining sector
- base metals smelting sector
- electric power generation sector (fossil fuel)
- steel manufacturing sector
For more information on the sources of arsenic in Canada, consult the National Pollutant Release Inventory.
Risk management strategy
Based on past assessment activities and risk management actions, it was determined that the risks of inorganic arsenic compounds were addressed by the implementation of the Toxic Substances Management Policy and existing measures for key industrial sectors or similar pollutants. As a result, no substance-specific risk management approach or strategy for arsenic was developed.
Risk management evaluation
Evaluations of Canada's efforts to manage risks to the environment and human health caused by inorganic arsenic compounds:
- Performance measurement evaluation of the ecological component for inorganic arsenic compounds
- Summary of the performance measurement evaluation of the ecological component for inorganic arsenic compounds
Risk management tools
Tools developed to manage risks associated with the substance:
- Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations
- Environmental Code of Practice for Metal Mines
- Environmental Code of Practice for Base Metal Smelters and Refineries
- Pollution Prevention Planning Notice for Base Metal Smelters and Refineries and Zinc Plants
- Environmental Performance Agreement for the Iron Ore Pelletizing Sector
- Environmental Code of Practice for Integrated Steel Mills
- Environmental Code of Practice for Non-Integrated Steel Mills
- Code of Practice to Reduce Emissions of Total Particulate Matter and VOCs from Iron, Steel and Ilmenite Sector
- Pollution Prevention Planning Notice for the Iron, Steel and Ilmenite Sector
- New Source Emission Guidelines for Thermal Electricity Generation
- Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Releases from Coal-Fired Generation of Electricity Regulations
- Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations
- Canada-wide Strategy for the Management of Municipal Wastewater Effluent
- Canada-wide Approach for the Management of Wastewater Biosolids
- Guidance Document for the Beneficial Use of Municipal Biosolids, Municipal Sludge and Treated Septage
- CCME Guidelines for Compost Quality
- The Cross-border Movement of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material Regulations
- Pest Control Products Act
- Fertilizers Act
- The Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan
- Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations
- Code of Practice for the Management of Air Emissions from Pulp and Paper Facilities
Domestic and international agreements and collaboration
Agreements associated with the substance (directly or indirectly):
- Canada-US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
- Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health
- Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics Program
- Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
- Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
Other information
Contact
Substances Management Information Line
Chemicals Management Plan
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3
Telephone: 1-800-567-1999 (in Canada) or 819-938-3232
E-mail: substances@ec.gc.ca