Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy

IMPLEMENTING THE BINATIONAL TOXICS STRATEGY
Implementation

Stakeholders Forum
November 16-17, 1998 - Chicago, Illinois

Presentation
Ian Smith, Ontario Ministry of the Environment

National Programs for Dioxins and Mercury in Canada

Under a Harmonization Accord signed by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (save for the Province of Quebec) in January 1998, the provincial, territorial and federal governments agreed to implement harmonized programs to address a number of environmental issues. Constitutionally in Canada many areas of responsibility are shared - in order to optimize services for Canadians, a process has been put into place to implement harmonized delivery of, among other things, national standards for a number of chemical substances.

One specific sub-agreement to the Harmonization Accord deals with the development of national (termed Canada-wide) standards for a number of priority chemical substances. The provincial, territorial and federal governments have a long history of developing national standards for things such as tolerable chemical levels in drinking water or allowable ambient air concentrations of substances under the auspices of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. These standards were traditionally considered for implementation by each level of government, but did not necessarily have to be implemented or enforced - they were developed as "guidance". In agreeing to develop Canada-wide Standards under the new Harmonization Accord the governments agreed to also develop implementation plans for achieving these standards - in effect ensuring their implementation on a nationally consistent basis.

Canada-wide standards are being developed for mercury, dioxins and furans, benzene, particulate matter, total petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and ground level ozone. In the Binational Strategy context the activities on mercury and dioxins/furans are clearly relevant in that they provide a counterpoint to the decision by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to implement the Strategy nationally, whereas the Canadian commitment relates to the Province of Ontario only. These activities are underway with a view towards finalization by the spring of 2000.

The dioxins and furans standards are being developed based upon a comprehensive inventory of emissions from Canadian sources. It is estimated that by the year 1999, total environmental emissions (air, water and soil) in Canada will have declined, from a 1990 value of over 900 grams of toxic equivalents (TEQ), to less than 400 grams. These reductions are dominated by a decline of over 99% in releases to water though a 43% reduction in releases to air is anticipated also. Under the inventory a number of "priority sectors" are identified for potential emission standards development. In addition a comprehensive suite of ambient standards will be developed to provide "benchmarks" for tracking progress towards the goal of virtual elimination.

For mercury, a range of ambient standards are available to serve as benchmarks, but in recognition of the sensitivity of wildlife to the impacts of mercury in Canada a "tissue-residue guideline" for mercury in fish is being developed which will be protective of piscivorous wildlife. A highly significant reduction in releases has taken place in Canada since 1990 (emissions were 38 tons/yr) as a result of process changes at two base metal smelters, and reductions in other sectors, such that 1999 emissions are projected to be about 11 tons/yr. Remaining emissions are dominated by a number of sectors including base metal smelting, electric power generation and a number of incineration sectors including municipal, biomedical and hazardous wastes along with sewage sludge. These sectors are the focus of efforts to develop emissions standards.

An evaluation of mercury containing products is currently being undertaken to investigate the "life-cycle" of these products with a view towards selecting, for standards development, those products contributing the majority of the environmental releases of mercury from products. Standards for products may be "life-cycle management" in nature or may specify mercury content. One factor in the development of emissions and products standards is the amount of progress achieved in the United States to date, and the commitments of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers to take additional actions. Another factor is the contribution from these standards to Canada’s components of the North American Regional Action Plan for mercury under the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Thus one goal for the mercury activity is to "harmonize" with ongoing initiatives.  

For additional information on the CCME priorities see:
http://www.ccme.ca/about/

For information on the Canada-wide standards activity see:
http://www.ccme.ca/ourwork/environment.html?category_id=108

Contacts for the various components noted above include:

Dioxins and furans inventory:
Raouf Marcos, Environment Canada
Raouf.Morcos@ec.gc.ca

Dioxins and furans standards:
Bruce Morgan, British Columbia Environment
Bmorgan@executive.env.gov.bc.ca

Mercury standards:
Ian Smith, Environment Ontario
Smithia@ene.gov.on.ca

North American Regional Action Plan for Mercury:
Luke Trip, Environment Canada
Luke.trip@ec.gc.ca