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Register for the consultation webinar (12 noon to 1 PM Eastern Time, February 5, 2008)
Complete the on-line questionnaire
Version français
Background
Health Canada is developing a priority list of indoor contaminants that are national in scope and require government action. An initial list was drafted jointly by Health Canada and its provincial and territorial counterparts, and Health Canada has now asked the Healthy Indoors Partnership (HIP) to follow-up on its behalf with a national industry consultation.
Once approved, the list will provide direction to Health Canada’s Safe Environments Programme in establishing its work plan for the next three years, and in developing related guidelines and/or other control measures. These, in turn will provide critical guidance for Canadians on target levels for indoor contaminants and for remediation activities. This is your opportunity to influence which substances are or aren’t included in the priority list.
How to Participate
Your comments must be received by February 19, 2008; please reply early. You have five options for responding:
- E-mail: You can e-mail your comments directly to HIP. Contact dpark@healthyindoors.com
- On-line form: You can complete the online questionnaire.
- Telephone interview: If you prefer, HIP will interview you by telephone. To arrange an interview, write them at dpark@healthyindoors.com or call David Park at (613) 294.2841.
- Webinars: Health Canada will be conducting interactive consultation webinars in both English and French on February 5th 2008. These sessions will provide you with further background on each substance, and a chance to both ask questions and provide your comments. To register for a webinar go here or contact our webinar Registrar, Gail Desautels, at 613 761-9066.
- Trade or Industry Association: You can also provide your comments through your trade or industry association, which will then pass them to us.
The following is the proposed priority list of indoor air pollutants:
- Benzene
- Toluene
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) as an index of reduced building ventilation
- House dust mites
- Naphthalene
- Diethylphthalate
- Legionella pneumophila
- Xylenes
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)
- In addition, the development of a lower limit for relative humidity has now also been identified as a need. Upper relative humidity limits are already part of advices to prevent exposure to moulds and dust mites.
Please note that pollutants already covered by the revision of the existing Residential Indoor Air Quality Guidelines are excluded from the Priority List under development, as scientific reviews have been or are being conducted on these substances and the need for governmental action has been or is being assessed. These pollutants are: formaldehyde, moulds, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter.
The consultation guide will take you through the simple process of providing input. Please read it carefully and choose your method of response. Act now, please. The deadline for submissions is February 19th, 2008.
Thank you in advance for your attention. If you require further information, please contact David Park, Healthy Indoors Partnership, at (613) 294.2841.
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