Item - 2012.HL15.7
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by the Board of Health on June 25, 2012. The Committee received the item for information only. No further action will be taken on this item.
HL15.7 - Tracking and Reducing Chemicals in Toronto: First Annual ChemTRAC Report
- Decision Type:
- Information
- Status:
- Received
- Wards:
- All
Board Decision
The Board of Health received the item for information.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Medical Officer of Health gave a presentation with Yusuf Alam and Rich Whate, Health Promotion Consultants, Toronto Public Health.
Origin
Summary
ChemTRAC is a City program led by Toronto Public Health (TPH) that collects data each year from local businesses and institutions on 25 priority chemicals that are commonly used or released, and exist in our environment at levels of concern for health. The requirements are set out in the Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Bylaw (Municipal Code Chapter 423). The information helps the City better assess and address health and environmental risks, and support the roles of businesses and the community in reducing the use of chemicals and potential health concerns.
Implementation of the bylaw is being phased in. June 30, 2011 was the first ChemTRAC reporting deadline. The attached report presents the first data set, which captures the reported use and release of priority substances from applicable industrial sectors in 2010. The data are also available in a searchable map and for download at www.toronto.ca/chemtrac.
Facilities reported the manufacture, process or other use of approximately 66,000 tonnes of priority substances in 2010. Of this, 8 per cent (approximately 5,000 tonnes) were released to the environment, mostly to air. The report identifies seven pollutants of greater priority for action because they are released in large quantities or ranked high because of their toxicity. TPH is concerned about potential health effects from these substances in the short and long-term. As the ChemTRAC program is phased in over the next two years, a more complete picture will be available of the use and release of these substances in Toronto. The data will help Toronto Public Health, in partnership with other City divisions, the federal and provincial governments, businesses and the community, assess local air quality and track progress in pollution prevention and reduction of exposure to these chemicals.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-48324.pdf
(July 6, 2012) Erratum to the Report entitled "Tracking and Reducing Chemicals in Toronto: ChemTRAC Annual Report - 2010 Reporting Year, June 2012"
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-49007.pdf
(June 8, 2012) Attachment 1 - ChemTRAC Report
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-48325.pdf
(June 25, 2012) Brochure: "Tracking and Reducing Chemicals in Toronto: ChemTRAC Annual Report - 2010 Reporting Year June 2012" - a copy is on file in the Office of the City Clerk
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-48808.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/comm/communicationfile-30865.pdf
(June 22, 2012) E-mail from Sarah Miller, Co-Chair, Occupational and Environmental Working Group, Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition Researcher, Canadian Environmental Law Association (HL.New.HL15.7.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/comm/communicationfile-30918.pdf
Speakers
Sarah Miller and Clara Stewart-Robertson, Canadian Environmental Law Association and Project Co-ordinator, Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre