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A substance that meets all four criteria outlined in Table 1, in other words,
that is persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic and primarily the result of human
activity, will be targeted for virtual elimination from the environment (Track 1
substance). This objective will be achieved by addressing sources of release to
the environment or by removing or managing the substance if it is already in the
environment.
Table 1
Criteria for the Selection of Substances for Track 1. |
Air | >= 2 days(2) |
Water | >= 182 days |
Sediment | >= 365 days |
Soil | >= 182 days |
|
|
BAF >= 5,000 or |
BCF >= 5,000 or |
log Kow >= 5.0 |
|
|
CEPA-toxic or CEPA-toxic Equivalent |
|
Concentration in environment largely resulting from human activity |
|
>= greater than or equal to |
Pollution prevention strategies will be used to prevent the measurable
release of a Track 1 substance from domestic sources. A Track 1 substance that
cannot be managed successfully throughout its life cycle will be targeted for
phase-out of generation and uses. Through bilateral or multilateral agreements,
the federal government will work to eliminate Track 1 substances that originate
from sources outside the country.
Remediation may be undertaken when a Track 1 substance is already in the
environment. For sites under federal jurisdiction that are contaminated by a
Track 1 substance, management plans will consider the elimination of that
substance, based on an analysis of risks, costs and benefits. Where the benefits
to the ecosystem or to human health of removing the substance outweigh clean-up
costs -- including the possibility of further environmental degradation --
remediation will be considered. Otherwise, management strategies will focus on
minimizing exposure and the site's potential risks.
The federal government will identify Track 1 substances proposed for virtual
elimination from the environment. Stakeholders will have an opportunity to
comment, with a fixed period of time to present scientific evidence objecting to
or supporting a substance's selection, that is, whether it satisfies the
criteria. The federal government will render a final, public decision after
reviewing all the evidence.
The onus will be on those who generate or use a Track 1 substance to
demonstrate that the substance will not be released into the environment in
measurable concentrations at any point in its life cycle. Measurable release
limits will be developed as appropriate for a Track 1 substance to allow
verification that no measurable release has been achieved and to allow
enforcement of any regulations that may be developed. Limits will be based on
the lowest concentration of a substance that can be accurately detected and
quantified using sensitive but routine analytical methods. These limits will be
established during the development of management strategies as part of
consultations with stakeholders.
The objective of virtual elimination of a Track 1 substance from the
environment does not mean chasing down that substance to its last molecule.
Common sense will apply as progress toward the substance's elimination is
monitored. The ultimate objective of eliminating a Track 1 substance from the
environment is set irrespective of socio-economic factors. Nevertheless,
management plans such as targets and schedules to achieve that long-term
objective will be based on analyses of environmental and human health risks as
well as social, economic and technical considerations.
The presence of a Track 1 substance in the environment will be monitored to
ensure that management plans are achieving the objective of virtual elimination
and to assess the need for additional action.
The persistence and bioaccumulation criteria used to identify Track 1
substances can only be applied to chemical substances. Thus, while a chemical
substance produced by organisms through biotechnology processes may be
considered for Track 1, the organisms themselves will not.
Where a Track 1 substance results from the degradation or transformation of a
parent substance in the environment, the parent substance may also be considered
for Track 1.
Naturally occurring substances, elements or radionuclides are not candidates
for Track 1. However, when warranted, a natural substance that is used or
released as a result of human activity may be targeted for reduction to
naturally occurring levels under Track 2.
This policy does not apply to pharmaceuticals when used for purposes for
which they were approved under the Food and Drugs Act. It does apply to those
pharmaceuticals, their by-products or wastes that are of concern because of
their release to the environment.
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