Proposed controls: aluminum salts and NMP

Summary#

On January 27, 2024, federal environment and health ministers published several chemical assessment decisions under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. They propose adding aluminum hydroxychloride and aluminum chlorohydrate and recommend adding N‑methyl‑2‑pyrrolidone (NMP) to Part 2 of Schedule 1, released risk‑management scope documents for those substances, and decided no further action is needed now for many other substances (including 53 aluminium substances and two commercial naphthenic acids).

What it does#

• Assesses the Aluminium‑containing Substances Group of 55 substances:

  • Proposes that aluminum hydroxychloride and aluminum chlorohydrate meet CEPA health‑risk criteria and should be added to Part 2 of Schedule 1.
  • Releases a risk‑management scope document for those two substances to begin stakeholder discussions.
  • Proposes no further action at this time for the other 53 aluminium substances.

• Updates the assessment of two pyrrolidones:

  • Proposes that N‑methyl‑2‑pyrrolidone (NMP) meets CEPA health‑risk criteria and should be added to Part 2 of Schedule 1.
  • Releases a risk‑management scope document for NMP.
  • Concludes N‑ethyl‑2‑pyrrolidone (NEP) does not meet the criteria and proposes no further action now, though follow‑up monitoring of NEP’s use may be considered.

• Final decision on commercial naphthenic acids:

  • Concludes two commercial naphthenic acids (including calcium naphthenates) do not meet CEPA criteria and proposes no further action.

• Public comment:

  • A public comment period is open for 60 days after publication (January 27, 2024). The notices invite written comments and provide contact routes (email and an online reporting option) for submissions.

Who's affected#

• Companies that make, import or use the listed chemicals, especially in:

  • primary aluminium manufacturing
  • cement manufacturing
  • metal mining
  • electric power generation
  • pulp and paper manufacturing
  • manufacturers of adhesives, paints and coatings, and other industrial formulations.

• Consumer product makers and retailers of items that may contain these substances, such as:

  • antiperspirants and deodorants (aerosol and powder forms contain the two aluminium salts),
  • adhesives and sealants,
  • paint removers and some personal‑care or nail products (for NMP).

• Workers in industries that handle these chemicals and people living near industrial facilities (for example, aluminium smelters).

• Certain Indigenous communities where traditional, subsistence, or country foods can contribute to aluminium exposure, and vulnerable groups noted in the assessments (for example, pregnant people and young children) for NMP.

• The public and stakeholders who may want to comment during the 60‑day consultation.

Why it matters#

• Being added to Part 2 of Schedule 1 starts a formal risk‑management path. That can lead to limits, controls, or other rules that change how a chemical is sold or used in Canada.

• For consumers, the most visible impact could be product reformulations or reduced availability of items containing the listed aluminium salts or NMP, especially aerosol antiperspirants and some adhesives or paint products.

• For businesses, the proposals signal possible future regulatory requirements and a need to track supply, reformulate, or prepare for new controls.

• For communities and workers near industrial sources, the assessments explain the level of concern and what risk‑management attention will be focused on.

• The public comment period gives citizens, companies and other organizations a chance to submit information that could affect final decisions.