Canada will add PFAS, which are linked to cancer and other health problems, to toxic substances list

The federal government is moving to add PFAS (new window), a class of thousands of chemicals used in a wide range of products from food containers to clothing, to the official list of toxic substances, in light of growing scientific and public concern about the substances in Canada and around the world.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals used for their water and heat resistant properties. They are widely used in many everyday products — such as packaging, cosmetics and textiles — along with industrial uses like water-repellent coatings and firefighting foam. 

Often referred to as forever chemicals, PFAS have also increasingly been linked to human health problems, such as increasing cancer risk and causing reproductive issues. The same qualities that make them useful also make them very persistent in the environment, accumulating in water sources, animals and eventually human bodies.

The government released its final State of PFAS report (new window), which details where and how the chemicals are used in Canada and their impact on people and health.

What we’re doing is unprecedented, that we would use the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to not look at one substance… but to look at the entire family [of chemicals]. It’s never been done before, said Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault in Montreal.

Today’s announcement will not immediately ban any new PFAS, but it will start a process to restrict them in the future. The government has started a 60-day consultation period required before adding PFAS to the toxic substances list. Once the chemicals are added to the list, the government will begin a phased plan to regulate and restrict them.

First up, the government says it will look at restricting PFAS in firefighting foams. Then, it will look at PFAS in cosmetics, non-prescriptions drugs, food packaging, textiles and certain building materials, cleaning products and waxes and polishes.

Addressing the widespread use of these chemicals has become a global concern because of just how much of the substances humans have already been exposed to.

Researchers have found types of PFAS in fish caught from water bodies (new window) across North America; in the air, rain and water of the Great Lakes (new window); in makeup (new window), paper-based food packaging (new window), feminine hygiene products (new window); and clothing (new window), such as school uniforms (new window), rain jackets and children’s winter gloves (new window).

As a result, almost all Canadians (new window) and Americans (new window) have PFAS in their bodies.

WATCH | Environment minister announces proposal to add PFAS to toxic substances list:

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Proposal to add PFAS to toxic substances list is ‘unprecedented,’ minister says

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault announced on Wednesday that the federal government is proposing that PFAS be added to the list of toxic substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Asked why Ottawa hasn’t moved faster to ban these substances, Guilbeault said the government is ‘trying to go as fast as we can within the confines of the laws and regulations.’

The European Union’s executive body has proposed a ban (new window) on the use of PFAS in consumer products, with possible exemptions for some industrial uses. 

But in North America, efforts to regulate the chemicals have suffered a setback. U.S. President Donald Trump’s new administration has withdrawn proposed PFAS discharge limits for industries.

It is true that the U.S. administration is walking back on some of those commitments. But the good news is that there are a number of U.S. states that are maintaining their laws and regulations on these substances, Guilbeault said, adding that he will work with those states and other countries on a common approach to tackling PFAS.

Inayat Singh (new window) · CBC News