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Pollution Prevention Planning Consultations

Hydrazine

Full text of Working Document (HTML) (PDF; 71 KB)


March 22, 2013

Background on Hydrazine

On January 15, 2011, the Ministers of Environment and Health published their final screening assessment report for the substances hydrazine [H2N4] (Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number [CAS RN] 302-01-2) and hydrazine hydrate [H2N4.H2O] (CAS RN 7803-57-8) in Part I of the Canada Gazette.

The substance hydrazine was identified in the categorization of the Domestic Substances List as a high priority for action under the Chemicals Management Plan Challenge initiative. Hydrazine was identified as a high priority because it was considered to pose an intermediate potential for exposure of individuals in Canada and is classified by other agencies on the basis of carcinogenicity. The substance did not meet the ecological categorization criteria for persistence or bioaccumulation potential, but it did meet the criteria for inherent toxicity to aquatic organisms. The assessment report concluded that hydrazine meets one or more of the criteria set out in section 64 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). In September 2012, hydrazine was added as a toxic substance to Schedule 1 of CEPA 1999.

Most hydrazine is imported into Canada in aqueous solutions, the form of the product commonly found on the market. In aqueous solutions, all the hydrazine is invariably present as the hydrate. This chemical species has a molecule of water loosely attached to an electronegative nitrogen atom by a weak hydrogen bond. The hydrated form is not considered to be chemically different from the anhydrous substance, and can be considered to represent a mixture of the substance with water. Therefore, the assessment considers that hydrazine and hydrazine hydrate are effectively the same substance. The major use of hydrazine is as a corrosion inhibitor in boiler water used at power generating plants.

A proposed Risk Management Approach (RMA) document outlining the risk management initiatives considered by the Government of Canada to control hydrazine releases and exposure was also published on January 15, 2011, on the Chemical Substances website.

The risk management objective proposed is to reduce exposure through the reduction of hydrazine effluents to the aquatic environment to the greatest extent practicable. A Pollution Prevention (P2) Planning Notice is considered to be the most appropriate risk management instrument for hydrazine. Environment Canada is now developing a P2 Planning Notice under Part 4 of CEPA 1999. It will require persons subject to the Notice that belong to the Electricity Sector to prepare and then implement a P2 plan for hydrazine.

This will allow the characterization of hydrazine releases for each facility and provide operators the flexibility to select and implement techniques or technologies to address hydrazine in effluent in a manner that is suitable for their facility, as long as their P2 plan meets the requirements of the Notice.


The Working Document for Hydrazine

The first step of the development of the Notice is the development of a Working Document that describes all of the key elements of the P2 Planning Notice. The purpose of this document is to allow Environment Canada to establish a dialogue with stakeholders to ensure that the proposed instrument is efficient and effective in achieving the objectives stated in the RMA.

A Working Document has been prepared presenting the main elements that Environment Canada plans to include in a Notice to be issued under section 56 of Part 4 of CEPA 1999. It will require the preparation and implementation of P2 plans in respect of hydrazine releases to the aquatic environment from the electricity generating sector (nuclear and fossil-fuelled facilities).

Consultation with stakeholders on the Working Document will take place through electronic and regular mail as well as a face-to-face meeting. A 45-day comment period will begin on March 22, 2013. The face-to-face stakeholder meeting is to be held on April 10, 2013, to discuss the Working Document and proposed approach.

Comments received on this Working Document will be considered in the development of the Proposed P2 Planning Notice to be published under section 56 of CEPA 1999 in the Canada Gazette, Part I in Summer 2013. A document outlining the response to comments received during the consultation process will be posted on the P2 Planning section of Environment Canada's website following publication of the proposed P2 Planning Notice in the Canada Gazette, Part I. Publication of the Proposed P2 Planning Notice will initiate a 60-day comment period. Following the comment period and after review of the comments received, a final Notice requiring the preparation and implementation of P2 plans will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I.

More information on P2 planning can be found in the Guidelines for the Implementation of the Pollution Prevention Planning Provisions of Part 4 of theCanadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.


How to Provide Comments on the Working Document

The Working Document has been prepared for stakeholder review and comment. Comments received during the 45-day comment period from March 22, 2013, to May 6, 2013, will be considered in preparation for the Proposed Notice. Comments on the Working Document can be made electronically through Environment Canada's Web survey.

Alternatively, you may submit your comments by regular mail or by email using the contact information provided below.

Contacts

For further information regarding this Working Document and related consultations, please contact:

Caroline Blais
Director
Electricity and Combustion Division
Energy and Transportation Directorate
Environment Canada
Place Vincent Massey, 11th Floor
351 St. Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
ECD-DEC@ec.gc.ca

 
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