The federal government is currently in the process of reviewing 200 chemicals to determine whether they pose a risk to human health or the environment and should be more closely regulated.

It's part of the government's Chemical Management Plan, which was unveiled on Dec. 8, 2006.

The review was dubbed the "Challenge." Under it, 200 chemicals were identified and divided into groups of 15-30 substances that would be examined over three years. A total of 12 batches of chemicals are being reviewed, with results announced approximately every three months.

Interested parties have 60 days to comment once the results are released.

It's the same program under which the federal government announced it would ban the import and sale of baby bottles made with bisphenol A.

The following chemicals were included in the second batch:

Cyclohexasiloxane, dodecamethyl (D6)

D6 belongs to a group of compounds that are found in volatile, low-viscosity — or thin — silicone fluids. It is found in or used to make soap, cleaning compounds, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, polishes, pesticides, paints, lacquers and varnishes. It's not manufactured in Canada but is imported.

D6 is persistent in the environment and is bioaccumulative — organisms absorb it at a rate greater than it can be processed. It can harm aquatic organisms at low concentrations.

There is research which suggests D6 is safe. That research was funded by Centre Européen des Silicones — a trade organization representing major producers of silicones in Europe.

The government has proposed that D6 be added to schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), which means it would be classified as a toxic chemical.

Cyclopentasiloxane, decamethyl (D5)

Like D6, D5 is a low viscosity silicone fluid used in personal care products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and cleaners as well as inks, textiles, rubbers and fuel additives.

It is not manufactured in Canada but is imported. Its many uses mean that it is widely found in the environment. D5 is also bioaccumulative and can harm aquatic organisms at low concentrations.

The government has proposed that D5 be added to schedule 1 of the CEPA, which means it would be classified as a toxic chemical.

Cyclotetrasiloxane, octamethyl (D4)

D4 is yet another low-viscosity silicone fluid used in types of rubbers, plastics, soap, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics — including creams, lotions, hair care products and anti-perspirants — as well as pesticides, paints, lacquers, varnishes, inks, textiles, leather goods and fuel additives.

The federal government says experimental data has shown that D4 is persistent in the environment and can harm aquatic organisms at low concentrations. The European Commission has also classified it as an agent that could be harmful to reproductive systems.

It is not made in Canada but is imported into the country.

The government has proposed that D4 be added to schedule 1 of the CEPA, which means it would be classified as a toxic chemical.

Phenol, 2,4,6-tris (1,1-dimethylethyl) - (2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenol)

This chemical is primarily used as a fuel and oil additive. It's not made in this country but is imported. Because 98 per cent of it is used in fuel and oil, it's either destroyed by combustion or spewed into the environment.

Initially, 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenol was not seen as a human health concern but it is found widely in soil, water and sediments. It is bioaccumulative and there are indications that it may cause harm to aquatic organisms.

The government has proposed that Phenol, 2,4,6-tris be added to schedule 1 of the CEPA, which means it would be classified as a toxic chemical.

Benzene, 1,3-bis(1-isocyanato-1-methylethyl) - (Tetramethyl-m-xylylene diisocyanate)

This chemical, which is part of a group of compounds that is incorporated into polymers. Polymers are large chains of repeating structural units which are connected by chemical bonds. Examples of polymers include plastics, proteins and DNA.

Tetramethyl-m-xylylene diisocyanate is neither manufactured in Canada nor imported into the country. However, the polymers that make up the substance are used in products such as specialty coatings, inks, sealants, adhesives and lacquers. Experimental data indicate that tetramethyl-m-xylylene diisocyanate is persistent in the environment and bioaccumulative, and can harm marine organisms at low concentrations.

The government did not recommend that benzene, 1,3-bis be classified as toxic.

Benzenesulfonic acid, 3,3'-[(9,10-dihydro-9,10-dioxo-1,4 anthracenediyl) diimino] bis [2,4,6-trimethyl-, disodium salt (Acid Blue 80)

Acid Blue 80 is a synthetic organic colourant that is used in cleaning, sanitation and colouring agents as well as non-agricultural pesticides, preservatives, disinfectants and cosmetic products intended to come into contact only briefly with the skin.

It is not currently manufactured in Canada but is imported into Canada. It may be released to the environment as part of the waste from industrial or commercial processes.

Acid Blue 80 is widely found in the environment. It is bioaccumulative and can harm water-based organisms at low concentrations.

The government has proposed that Acid Blue 80 be added to schedule 1 of the CEPA, which means it would be classified as a toxic chemical.

Spiro [isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-[9H]xanthen]-3-one, 2',4',5',7'-tetrabromo-3',6'-dihydroxy- (D & C Red No. 21)

D & C Red No. 21 is used in the printing ink industry as well as in cosmetics, soaps and cleaning products. It can also be used in the staining of tissues that are difficult to stain.

It is neither made in nor imported into Canada. Still, the compound is persistent in the environment and bioaccumulative, and can harm aquatic organisms at low concentrations.

The government did not recommend this chemical be classified as toxic.

Benzenesulfonic acid, [(9,10-dihydro-9,10-dioxo-1,4-anthracenediyl) bis(imino-4,1-phenyleneoxy)]bis-, disodium salt (Acid Green 40:1)

This chemical is neither manufactured in nor imported into Canada. It is a green dye used in the textile industry. It is persistent in the environment and bioaccumulative, and can harm aquatic organisms at low concentrations.

The government did not recommend this chemical be classified as toxic.

Benzenesulfonic acid, 2,2'-[(9,10-dihydro-5,8-dihydroxy-9,10-dioxo-1,4-anthracenediyl)diimino]bis[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-, disodium salt (ADIBSS)

ADIBSS is another synthetic organic dye that is used in the pigment/dye/printing ink industry sectors. The compound is neither made in nor imported into Canada. It is persistent in the environment and is bioaccumulative, and can harm aquatic organisms at low concentrations.

The government did not recommend this chemical be classified as toxic.

9,10-Anthracenedione, 1,4-bis[(4-methylphenyl)amino]-, sulfonated, potassium salts (AMS)

AMS is used to add colour to rubber and plastic products, printing inks, paint, lacquers and varnishes. It can be released into the environment as waste from industrial or commercial processes.

AMS is not made in Canada but it is imported into the country. It's believed to be a risk to aquatic organisms at low concentrations.

The government did not recommend this chemical be classified as toxic.

Thiourea

Thiourea is used to extract silver and gold from ore. It is also used in some types of copy paper. The chemical also occurs naturally in some plants and fungi. It may also be released to the environment as waste from industrial or commercial processes.

The federal government is taking a closer look at Thiourea after Europe and the U.S. classified it as a compound which should be examined as a possible carcinogen.

The chemical persists in soil, water and sediments but is not considered bioaccumulative. It's believed that Thiourea is unlikely to cause harm to aquatic organisms.

The government has proposed that thiourea be added to schedule 1 of the CEPA, which means it would be classified as a toxic chemical.

41,3-Butadiene, 2-methyl-(Isoprene)

Isoprene is a volatile organic alkene chemical used to make products such as medical equipment, toys, tires and paints, inner tubes, and some rubber adhesives and glues.

The federal government decided to take a closer look at this chemical after the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the European Commission, and the U.S. National Toxicology Program classified it as a possible human carcinogen.

Isoprene is not believed to be persistent in the environment or thought cause harm to aquatic organisms.

The government has proposed that isoprene be added to schedule 1 of the CEPA, which means it would be classified as a toxic chemical.

Oxirane, (chloromethyl)-(Epichlorohydrin)

Epichlorohydrin is a synthetic chemical that is used to make other chemicals. Its major use is in the production of epoxy resins, which are used in paints and other coatings, in structural composites, adhesives, and other products. It is also used in treating drinking water and wastewater and in the production of food and beverages.

About 10 per cent of epichlorohydrin is used to make glycerine, which is an ingredient or processing aid in personal care products, drugs, food, and beverages.

Epichlorohydrin is also used to produce materials that are used in products like the powder coating inside latex gloves.

The chemical is not made in Canada, but it is imported into the country.

It's not directly used by consumers. The federal government is looking at epichlorohydrin based on its classification as a possible human carcinogen by the European Commission, the IARC, the NTP and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).

The government has proposed that epichlorohydrinbe be added to schedule 1 of the CEPA, which means it would be classified as a toxic chemical.

Acetic acid ethenyl ester (Vinyl acetate)

Vinyl acetate has a wide variety of uses, including:

• The production of abrasives, fragrances, perfumes, and deodorizers.
• As a flavouring agent.
• As a paint additive.
• In the production of adhesives and sealants.
• In construction materials, metallurgy, industrial organic chemicals.
• As a chewing gum base.

It is a colourless liquid that Ottawa has identified for further consideration based on its classification for carcinogenicity by IARC.

The government has proposed that vinyl acetate be added to schedule 1 of the CEPA, which means it would be classified as a toxic chemical.

C.I. Pigment Yellow 34

C.I. Pigment Yellow 34 contains chromium and lead and is used to produce colours from yellow to orange to green.

It's mainly used to colour plastics, inks, paints, coatings, adhesives, textiles and sealants. It is also used in artists' supplies, car refinishing, printing textiles, and most vinyl applications such as construction products, medical devices and packaging.

The European Commission classified C.I. Pigment Yellow 34 based on concerns that it may be carcinogenic and toxic to the reproductive system. The lead contents also pose developmental problems to young children due to lead's extreme toxicity. Chromium and lead that are released into the environment from this pigment are considered infinitely persistent and harmful to aquatic organisms at very low concentrations.

The government has proposed that C.I. Pigment Yellow 34 be added to schedule 1 of the CEPA, which means it would be classified as a toxic chemical.

C.I. Pigment Red 104

C.I. Pigment Red 104 is another dye that contains chromium and lead. It is used to produce colours from red to orange. It is also known by molybdate orange.

The compound is used as a colourant additive for paints and coatings, printing dyes and inks and in plastics. It may be used to make anticorrosion coatings, motor vehicle paint mastics, rubber, plastics, artists' colours, cellulose acetate plastics and traffic paints.

Like C.I. Pigment Yellow 34, C.I. Pigment Red 104 was identified for further examination because of its chromium and lead content.

The government has proposed that C.I. Pigment Red 104 be added to schedule 1 of the CEPA, which means it would be classified as a toxic chemical.