Ontario toxics reduction program : reference tool for assessing safer chemical alternatives

2012·0.78 MB·English

by  Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Ontario Toxics Reduction Program
Reference Tool for Assessing
Safer Chemical Alternatives
This document has been prepared from a review
and analysis performed in 2011 for the Ministry
of the Environment by Senes Consultants.
© Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2012
PIBS 8582e
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There may be websites linked to and from this
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may not be available in French. The linking to or
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Preamble
or guarantee of any of the organizations or
This document was developed under the Ontario
information (including the right to display such
Toxics Reduction Program and is intended to
information) found on their respective websites.
increase awareness of green chemistry and to assist
No Liability industries and businesses in evaluating chemicals
as safer alternatives. The scope of the document is
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment assumes
intentionally broad to assist a range of industries
no responsibility for errors or omissions in any of
and sectors in understanding green chemistry
the information contained on any of the websites.
principles and considerations for the assessment of
Ministry of the Environment (MOE) makes no
safer alternatives. This document is not intended
representation or warranty of any kind whatsoever
to be prescriptive, and is not meant to reflect
with respect to the web sites. More specifically
endorsement, guidance or mandatory action in the
disclaims any express or implied warranties
Province on Ontario. Instead, it serves as a starting
related to the use of the websites and all contents
point for those enterprises/individuals looking to
including without limitation warranties of non-
consider conducting an alternatives assessment
infringement or fitness for any particular purpose.
and provides references and a general approach to
In no event shall the Ministry of the Environment, help move towards safer chemical alternatives.
the Province of Ontario and their respective officers,
The framework outlined in this reference tool for
employees, servants or agents be liable for any
the assessment of safer chemical alternatives is
Reference Tool for Assessing Safer Chemical Alternatives | i
based on a thorough review of safer chemical not an absolute process as the end result will not
assessment programs and approaches, assessment be a chemical or process that is ‘greener’ or ‘safer’
tools and frameworks, and is also a matter in its entirety; rather, alternatives assessment is a
of professional judgement. The background comparative methodology with the end result
information on alternatives assessment provided being a greener/safer chemical or process.
in this tool is meant to help companies and also
For additional information and any addenda or
facilitate conversations with contractors, who
revisions to this guide, please visit the MOE website
may be enlisted to complete an alternatives
at: www.ene.gov.on.ca
assessment on their behalf. It should be noted
that an alternatives assessment should have the
Public Information Centre (PIC)
involvement of professionals with a scientific
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
background with an understanding of the toxicity
135 St. Clair Avenue West
of chemicals as an alternatives assessment is not a
Toronto, Ontario
simple task.
M4V 1M2
The MOE recognizes that there are challenges that
Telephone: [phone] or 1-800-565-4923
may be encountered in the course of assessing
TTY Toll Free: 800-515-2759
and implementing safer chemical alternatives that
Fax: [phone]
may include restrictions due to global formulations,
Cette publication hautement spécialisée n’est
data gaps, interpretation of data (especially
disponible qu’en anglais en vertu du reglement
environmental and human toxicity), capital
441/97, qui en exempte I’application de la Loi sur
investments required, customer approval and
les services en français. Pour obtenir de I’aide en
satisfaction, evaluation costs, supply assessments,
français, veuillez communiquer avec Ie ministere de
research and development, and facility down-time
I’Environnement au 416-314-7938 (Fax: [phone])
due to a change in chemical. Furthermore, the
MOE recognizes that alternatives assessment is
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Table Of Contents
Introduction 1
1.1 Project Background 1
1.2 Green Chemistry & Safer Chemical Alternatives 3
1.3 Existing Programs 5
Evaluating Safer Chemical Alternatives 6
2.0 Evaluating Safer Chemical Alternatives 6
2.1 Guiding Principles 8
2.2 Establish Current Conditions 8
2.2.1 Process Flow Diagram 8
2.2.2 Define the Problem and Identify the Target 10
2.2.3 Identify Functionality Requirements 10
2.3 Identify Alternatives 11
2.4 Preliminary Assessment 13
2.4.1 Preliminary Technical Assessment 13
2.4.2 Preliminary Economic Assessment 14
2.4.3 Evaluation of Presence on Regulatory Lists 15
2.5 Detailed Assessment of Short List of Alternative Chemicals 19
2.5.1 Hazard Assessment 19
2.5.1.1 Environmental Fate and Hazards 22
2.5.1.2 Human Health 26
2.5.1.3 Occupational Health and Safety 30
2.5.2 Technical Feasibility 34
2.5.3 Economic Feasibility 36
Reference Tool for Assessing Safer Chemical Alternatives | iii
2.5.3.1 Detailed Cost Assessment 36
2.5.3.2 Cost/Benefit Analysis 37
2.5.3.3 Financial Evaluation 37
2.5.4 Social Impact 40
2.5.5 Life Cycle Analysis 40
2.5.5.1 Goal Definition and Scoping 41
2.5.5.2 Life Cycle Inventory 42
2.5.5.3 Life Cycle Impact Assessment 43
2.5.5.4 Interpretation of Results 49
2.5.5.5 Resources 49
2.6 Select and Implement Preferred Alternative 50
2.6.1 Selecting the Preferred Alternative 51
2.6.2 Implementation and Continuous Monitoring 55
2.6.3 Resources 55
Testing Protocols 57
3.0 Testing Protocols 57
Resources 59
4.0 Resources 59
References 62
APPENDIX A — Summary of Information From Other Jurisdictions and Programs 68
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List Of Tables
Table 2.1 Example Comparison of Physical Properties for Flame Retardants 14
Table 2.2 Example Preliminary Cost Comparison for Plasticizers 15
Table 2.3 Environmental Fate and Hazards Factors and Criteria 24
Table 2.4 Example Environmental Fate and Hazards Matrix for Flame Retardants 27
Table 2.5 Human Health Effects Criteria 28
Table 2.6 Example Human Health Effects Evaluation Matrix 32
Table 2.7 Occupational Health and Safety Criteria 33
Table 2.8 Technical Feasibility Evaluation 35
Table 2.9 Economic Feasibility Evaluation 38
Table 2.10 Toxicity Equivalency Factors for PAHs 44
Table 2.11 Toxicity Equivalency Factors for Dioxins, Furans and Dioxin-Like PCBs 45
Table 2.12 Example Life Cycle Impact Assessment Categories 47
Table A.1 Summary of PBT Criteria from Other Jurisdictions and Programs 68
Table A.2 P2OASys Standardized Hazard Score Database 75
Reference Tool for Assessing Safer Chemical Alternatives | v
List Of Figures
Figure 2.1 Framework for Assessing Safer Chemical Alternatives 7
Figure 2.2 Overview of Life Cycle Analysis Process 41
Figure 2.3 P2OASys Standardized Hazard Score Database 52
Figure 2.4 Example of Application of Weighting Factors 54
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Acronyms
AA Alternatives Assessment
ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
ACS American Chemical Society
AIM Analog Identification Methodology
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
BAF Bioaccumulation Factor
BCF Bioconcentration Factor
Cal/EPA California Environmental Protection Agency
CARB California Air Resources Board
CARS Chemical Assessment and Ranking System
CAS® RN Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number
CCOHS Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
CDD Chlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxin
CDF Chlorinated Dibenzofuran
CEPA Canadian Environmental Protection Act
C Ceiling Limit
CGCEN Canadian Green Chemistry and Engineering Network
CMP Chemicals Management Plan
CPA Clean Production Action
CTSA Cleaner Technologies Substitutes Assessment
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DEHP Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
DfE Design for the Environment
DSL Domestic Substances List
EC/D Effect/Dose Concentration (that affects x per cent or organisms)
x
ECICS European Customs Inventory of Chemical Substances
Eco-SSLs Ecological Soil Screening Levels
ECOSAR Ecological Structure Activity Relationships
ECOTOX Ecotoxicology Database
EFDB Environmental Fate Database
EPCRA Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act
EPI Estimation Programs Interface
GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
GCC GreenCentre Canada
GCES Green Chemistry Expert System
GCI Green Chemistry Institute (of the ACS)
GCN Green Chemistry Network
GHS Globally Harmonized System
GLGCN Great Lakes Green Chemistry Network
GWP Global Warming Potential
HMIS Hazardous Materials Identification System
HSDB Hazardous Substance Data Bank
IARC International Agency for Research on Cancer
IC/D Inhibitory Concentration/Dose (that affects x per cent of organisms)
x
IDLH Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health
IRIS Integrated Risk Information System
IRR Internal Rate of Return
ISO International Organization for Standardization
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