Esters Group screening: methyl acetate

Summary#

The federal government published a draft screening assessment of the Esters Group — a set of 14 chemicals — under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 on March 19, 2022. The assessment proposes that methyl acetate may pose a health risk and should be added to Schedule 1, while the other 13 substances are proposed to need no further action for now; a risk-management scope for methyl acetate has been released and there is a 60 days public comment period.

What it does#

• Makes public a draft screening assessment of the Esters Group (14 substances).
• Proposes that methyl acetate meets the health-risk test in the Act and should be recommended for addition to Schedule 1.
• Releases a risk-management scope document for methyl acetate to begin talks with industry and other stakeholders about possible controls.
• Proposes that the remaining 13 substances do not meet the Act’s risk criteria and that no further action is needed at this time.
• Notes that follow-up monitoring or tracking is being considered for 2‑methoxypropyl acetate because it has effects of concern if exposure rises.
• Invites written comments for 60 days after publication.

Who's affected#

• Companies that manufacture or import the listed chemicals in Canada. (Reported manufacturing ranges included 100 kg to 10 000 kg for several substances; triacetin was reported at 10 000 kg to 100 000 kg; reported import volumes ranged from about 5 000 kg up to more than 3 000 000 kg.)
• Industries that use these esters: makers of paints and coatings, adhesives, nail and cosmetic products, automotive cleaners, paint removers, lubricants, plastics and plasticizers, food flavouring and some food additives, natural health products and some medicines.
• Consumers who use products that contain these chemicals — for example, people using nail products, aerosol adhesives, paint removers, or household cleaners — since some uses can drive higher exposure.
• Public health and environmental stakeholders who may want to comment during the 60 days consultation period.
• It is not yet law — the proposal for methyl acetate would need further steps (risk-management decisions and possible regulations) if the government proceeds.

Why it matters#

• If methyl acetate is added to Schedule 1, the government can move to require controls (rules, limits or other measures) that could change how the chemical is made, imported or used in products sold in Canada.
• The assessment flagged a specific concern: methyl acetate breaks down into methanol, and certain product uses (notably some paint remover products and aerosol adhesives) may lead to exposures above health reference levels. That could affect workplace safety, product formulations, and consumer-use recommendations.
• Most of the other esters in this group were judged low risk to people and the environment, so they are unlikely to face new federal controls from this assessment.
• The government is watching 2‑methoxypropyl acetate and may track future changes in use or exposure, so businesses planning to increase use of that chemical should be aware.
• The notice starts a consultation window (comments accepted for 60 days) — this is the time for companies, researchers, and the public to provide data or views that could change final decisions.