Corn, steep liquor - information sheet

Publications summarized:

The Government of Canada conducts risk assessments of substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) to determine whether they present or may present a risk to human health or to the environment.
- The risks posed by a substance are determined both by 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.
The ecological hazard and exposure potentials of this substance were classified using the Ecological Risk Classification of Organic Substances (ERC) Approach.
Corn, steep liquor is not associated with health or ecological effects, at levels of exposure considered in the assessment. The Government concluded that this substance is not harmful to human health or to the environment.

The screening assessment focused on corn, steep liquor, also referred to as CSL. It was assessed under the third phase of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP).
CSL does not occur naturally; it is a by-product of the corn wet milling process and is made up of the water soluble extracts of corn soaked in water.
In Canada, CSL is used mainly in anti-freeze and de-icing products, as well as in pesticides, animal feed and carp bait.

The screening assessment indicates that Canadians may be exposed to CSL from the use of commercial anti-freeze and de-icing products on Canadian roadways and during the use of carp bait products while fishing.
According to the information considered under the ERC Approach, CSL was identified as having low ecological exposure potential.

To help inform the health effects characterization in the screening assessment, international reports of data were considered, among other sources of information. This included reports by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).
The main components of CSL are water, lactic acid, protein and other nutritive substances. The U.S. EPA found CSL to be of low concern for hazard to human health. The OECD determined that one of the major parts of CSL, lactic acid, does not present a hazard to human health. JECFA also determined that dietary exposure to lactic acid is not a concern for human health.
According to information considered under the ERC Approach, CSL was identified as having a low ecological hazard potential.

Based upon the consideration of international assessments, the risk to human health from corn, steep liquor is considered to be low.
Based upon the outcome of the ERC Approach, corn, steep liquor is considered unlikely to cause ecological harm.

The Government concluded that CSL is not harmful to human health and is not entering the environment at levels that are harmful.

CSL may be found in products available to consumers. Canadians should follow any safety warnings and directions related to the product 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.
The screening assessment focused on potential risks from exposure of the general population of Canada, rather than occupational exposure. Hazards related to chemicals used in the workplace are defined within the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). For information concerning workplace health and safety and what steps to take in the workplace, Canadians should consult their employer and/or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulator in their jurisdiction.

2021-07-09