Automated Chemical Prioritization Tool

Summary#

Health Canada published a science approach document that describes a new automated workflow, the Health Canada Automated Workflow for Prioritization (HAWPr), for screening chemicals on the Domestic Substances List (DSL). The government says this approach may be used to prioritize about 25,200 substances for human-health risk follow-up, and it is asking for public comment within 60 days of the notice published on August 17, 2024.

What it does#

• Describes the HAWPr, a computational tool that:
  • gathers chemical data from many sources;
  • fills data gaps and runs predictive models for chemicals with little information;
  • scores evidence and confidence; and
  • combines hazard and exposure information to rank chemicals by potential human-health concern.
• Announces that this approach “may be used” for future prioritization and assessment work under section 68 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
• Publishes preliminary results applying the approach to the DSL (about 25,200 substances) as supporting material.
• Opens a public comment period: people can send written comments to the Minister of the Environment within 60 days of the notice. Comments can be submitted by mail, email, or an online system. Commenters may request that information they provide be treated as confidential.

Who's affected#

• Companies that make, import, or use chemicals in Canada (manufacturers, importers, formulators).
• Businesses that make products containing chemicals (consumer products, industrial chemicals, pesticides, cosmetics, etc.).
• Public health and environmental groups, researchers, and members of the public concerned about chemical exposures.
• It is not clear from the notice whether specific sectors or communities will be prioritized first; the tool is meant to screen the whole DSL.

Why it matters#

• The approach aims to speed up and standardize how chemicals are screened for possible human-health risks. That can lead to faster identification of chemicals that need full assessment.
• If chemicals are flagged by this process, they could be considered for further testing, monitoring, or regulatory action under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (for example, inclusion on the plan described in section 73 of the Act).
• The document is a chance for the public and stakeholders to review and comment on the scientific method before it is used more widely.