Antineoplastic Agents – Resources

by CAREXCanada | Feb 18, 2019

Antineoplastic Agents Resources

Videos

Exposure Reduction

Our team conducted research on the different dimensions that affect the safe handling of antineoplastic agents in health care settings and produced resources that can help policy makers and healthcare leaders reduce occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents:

Compendium of policy levers for the safe handling of antineoplastic agents in occupational settings: This tool is a collection of policy levers for the safe handling of antineoplastic agents in different healthcare settings. It was designed to help policy makers create and update their own respective policies. The compendium is available here (XLS).
Prevention framework for handling antineoplastic agents: This tool was designed to help organizations assess and audit their own procedures and plans for the safe handling of antineoplastic agents. It was developed by applying internationally accepted approaches to auditing occupational health and safety management systems. The framework is available here (PDF).
Comparison of policy levers for the safe handling of antineoplastic agents in Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia: This report details and compares the various statutes, regulations, policies, guidelines, and standards used in the safe handling of antineoplastic agents across three provinces. It outlines key similarities and differences that policy makers can use to create better-informed policies that protect the health and wellbeing of healthcare workers handling antineoplastic agents. The report is available here (PDF).

We also performed a detailed scan of exposure control resources and assembled a compilation of key publications and resources. These are organized by type of exposure (environmental or occupational) and by specificity (general or carcinogen-specific). Please visit our Exposure Reduction Resources page to view.

We also recommend exploring the Prevention Policies Directory, a freely-accessible online tool offering information on policies related to cancer and chronic disease prevention. Providing summaries of the policies and direct access to the policy documents, the Directory allows users to search by carcinogen, risk factor, jurisdiction, geographical location, and document type. For questions about this resource, please contact a member of the Prevention Team at the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer at [email protected].

CAREX Canada

School of Population and Public Health

University of British Columbia
Vancouver Campus
370A - 2206 East Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
CANADA

Email: [email protected]

FAQs
Terms of Use
Glossary

As a national organization, our work extends across borders into many Indigenous lands throughout Canada. We gratefully acknowledge that our host institution, the University of British Columbia Point Grey campus, is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people.

Arsenic

by CAREXCanada | Mar 20, 2019

SUBSTANCE PROFILE

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES

RESOURCES

Arsenic and Arsenic Compounds Profile

METALS – KNOWN CARCINOGEN (IARC 1)

Quick Summary

General Information

Regulations and Guidelines

Main Uses

Canadian Production and Trade

Environmental Exposures Overview

Occupational Exposures Overview

Sources

CAS No. 7440-38-2

IARC Monograph Vol. 23, Suppl. 7, 1987 (Group 1)

IARC Monograph Vol. 84, 2004 (Arsenic in Drinking Water, Group 1)

IARC Monograph Vol 100C, 2012 (Group 1)

How did CAREX choose this agent for review?

Arsenic and Arsenic Compounds Profile

QUICK SUMMARY

A naturally occurring semi-metallic element found in complex mineral deposits
Associated cancers: Lung, skin, and bladder cancers (sufficient evidence); kidney, liver, and prostate cancers (limited evidence)
Most important route of exposure: Inhalation, ingestion
Uses: Preservation of wood products including marine timbers, plywood flooring and roofing, utility poles, and glue-laminated beams; applications in glassmaking, metallurgical and semiconductor industries
Occupational exposures: Approx. 22,000 Canadians are exposed to arsenic at work, primarily in construction industries
Environmental exposures: Via food (including shellfish, meat, poultry, grain, and dairy products) and drinking water in areas where arsenic is found in bedrock
Fast fact: In 2003, a voluntary agreement was made in the United States and Canada to stop using chromated copper arsenate (CCA) for residential wood preservation.

General Information

Arsenic is a semi-metallic element. Although it is rare to find pure arsenic in nature, inorganic arsenic compounds are found in complex minerals containing copper, lead, iron, nickel, cobalt, and other elements.[1] Most arsenic compounds are white powders with no odour.[2] Of all commercially traded arsenic compounds, arsenic trioxide is the most important.[1] There are numerous other synonyms and product names for arsenic; see the Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) for more information.[3,4]

In both Monograph Volumes 23 and 84 of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), arsenic and its compounds were classified as Group 1, carcinogenic to humans. IARC’s Volume 100 review of Group 1 carcinogens in 2012 reaffirmed this classification.[5] The evaluation applies to the whole group of arsenic compounds, not necessarily to each individual compound.[3] Epidemiologic studies in occupational settings established a strong association between inhalation exposure to arsenic and lung cancer, particularly in smelting and mining industries.[2] Long-term exposure to arsenic through ingestion (i.e. medicinally, via drinking water) can cause skin cancer.[1] There is also sufficient evidence that inorganic arsenic compounds cause urinary bladder cancer.[5] Other cancer sites associated with arsenic exposure include the liver, kidney, and prostate.[5]

Chronic ingestion of arsenic is characterized by discoloured and thickened skin on hands and feet,[6] which often precedes malignancy.[2] Neurological changes including peripheral neuropathies are also reported from low dose, chronic exposure to arsenic.[2] Because of its effectiveness as a poison, there is well established data on acute exposure to arsenic resulting in death; this includes respiratory, kidney, and cardiovascular damage, as well as haematological changes.[2]

Regulations and Guidelines

Occupational exposure limits (OEL)[7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21]

Canadian Jurisdictions	Substance	OEL
Canada Labour Code	Arsenic Arsine	0.01 mg/m³ [bei] 0.005 ppm
AB, NB	Arsenic Arsine	0.01 mg/m³ 0.05 ppm
BC	Arsenic Arsine	0.01 mg/m³ 0.005 ppm
MB, NL, PEI, NS	Arsenic Arsine	0.01 mg/m³ [bei] 0.005 ppm
ON	Arsenic Arsine	0.01 mg/m³, 0.05 mg/m³ [stel] 0.005 ppm
QC	Arsenic Arsine	0.1 mg/m³ 0.05 ppm
SK, NT, NU	Arsenic Arsine	0.01 mg/m³, 0.03 mg/m³ [stel] 0.05 ppm, 0.15 ppm [stel]
YT	Arsenic Arsine	0.5 mg/m³, 0.5 mg/m³ [stel] 0.05 ppm, 0.05 ppm [stel]
Other Jurisdiction	Substance	OEL
ACGIH 2020 TLV	Arsenic Arsine	0.01 mg/m³ [bei] 0.005 ppm

Arsine = gaseous arsenic trihydride
bei = Jursidiction also has a biological exposure index
mg/m³ = milligrams per cubic meter
ppm = parts per million
stel = short term exposure limit (15 min. maximum)
ACGIH = American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
TLV = threshold limit value

Canadian environmental guidelines and standards*

Jurisdiction	Limit	Year
Drinking Water Guidelines (Canada, BC, MB) and Standards (ON, QC, SK)	0.010 mg/L, ALARA	2006-2020 [22,23,24,25,26,27]
Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives	Annual: 0.01 µg/m³ 1-hour: 0.1 µg/m³	2017[28]
Manitoba Ambient Air Quality Guideline	24-hour: 0.3 µg/m³	2005[29]
Ontario Ambient Air Quality Criteria	24-hour: 0.3 µg/m³	2016[30]
Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines for Environmental Health	12 ppm	1997[31]
Quebec’s Clean Air Regulation	1 year limit: 0.003 µg/m3; Prohibited discharge into the air if the concentration of arsenic exceeds the standard	2011[32]
BC’s Contaminated Sites Regulation, BC Reg 375/96	Sets soil standards for the protection of human health: Agricultural and low density residential sites: 20 μg/g Urban park and high density residential sites: 40 μg/g Commercial sites: 150 μg/g Industrial sites: 400 μg/g Drinking water: 10 µg/L	2016[33]
List of contaminants and other adulterating substances in foods	Maximum levels for total arsenic: Fish protein: 3.5 ppm Edible bone meal: 1 ppm Beverages, fruit juice, fruit nectar: 0.1 ppm applied to products as consumed Water in sealed containers: 0.01 ppm Maximum levels for asrenic, inorganic: Husked brown rice: 0.35 ppm Polished white rice: 0.2 ppm	2020[34]

*Standards are legislated and legally enforceable, while guidelines (including Ontario ambient air quality criteria) describe concentrations of contaminants in the environment (e.g. air, water) that are protective against adverse health, environmental, or aesthetic (e.g. odour) effects

Canadian agencies/organizations

Agency	Designation/Position	Year (ref)
Health Canada	DSL – low priority substance (already risk managed)	2006[35]
CEPA	Schedule 1 and 6, paragraphs ‘b’ and ‘c’	2011[36]
National Classification System for Contaminated Sites	Rank: “High hazard”	2008[37]
Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist	Not permitted	2004[38]
National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) Substance List	NPRI Part (Threshold Category): 1B, Reportable to NPRI if manufactured, processed, or otherwise used at quantities greater than: 50 kg . Total of the pure element and the equivalent weight of the element contained in any cound, alloy or mixture.	2016[39]

DSL = Domestic Substance List
CEPA = Canadian Environmental Protection Act

Arsenic was not included in other Canadian government guidelines, standards, or chemical listings reviewed.

Main Uses

The major use for arsenic has been for chromated copper arsenate (CCA) in the wood preservation industry. In recent years, however, use patterns have changed.[40]

In December 2003, a voluntary agreement was made in the United States and Canada to stop using CCA in wood for residential applications, including play structures, decks, fencing, and boardwalks.[41] Prior to 2004, 90% of arsenic consumption in the US was for pressure treated wood; the figure reported for 2007 was 50%.[40] Marine timbers, plywood flooring and roofing, utility poles, and glue-laminated beams can still be treated with CCA.

There are several other current uses of arsenic. In the metallurgical industry, arsenic is used to harden copper and lead-antimony alloys; applications include ammunitions, solders, battery posts, bearings, and lead shot.[40] In glassmaking, arsenic is used to disperse bubbles or for colour.[2] In the semiconductor industry, high-purity arsenic is used in applications such as solar cells, light emitting diodes, lasers, and integrated circuits.[1]

Historically, arsenic has been included in agricultural chemicals, either directly or after conversion to arsenic acid, and was widely used as a pesticide and fertilizer. This is generally no longer permitted,[2] though arsenicals may be used in emergency situations (e.g. pine beetle infestation).[42] Until the 1970s, arsenic was used to treat leukemia, psoriasis, and asthma.[1] In the 1990s, there was renewed interest in using arsenic to treat a specific type of leukemia.[2]

Canadian Production and Trade

Arsenic is obtained as a byproduct of the smelting of copper, lead, cobalt, and gold ores.[43] In 2009, Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting was the base metal smelter with the largest emissions of arsenic in Canada accounting for 38% of emissions.[44] Other Canadian base metal smelters and refineries that produced and emitted arsenic in 2009 include: Vale Canada Ltd.-Copper Cliff, Vale Canada Ltd.-Thompson, Xstrata Copper-Horne, and Xstrata Copper-CCR.[44] From 2005 to 2019, there was a 54% reduction (38t) in arsenic emissions from base metals smelters and refineries.[45]

Production and trade

Activity	Quantity	Year
Export	None	2015[35]
Import	58 t of ‘arsenic’	2015[35]

t = tonne

Environmental Exposures Overview

Consuming arsenic through food is generally considered the primary route of exposure for the general population, although drinking water can also be a significant source in areas where arsenic is found in bedrock (thus contaminating drinking water sources).[46] Areas in Canada with arsenic-rich geologic deposits include the Yukon, Northern British Columbia (B.C.), Nunavut Islands, the Atlantic coast, and few hot spots in Southern Ontario.[47] CAREX Canada’s environmental estimates indicate that arsenic levels in Canadian drinking water result in higher risks of cancer at a population level (moderate data quality). Estimates for food and beverages show that arsenic exposure also results in an increased risk via this route (low data quality).

Quantifying the relative contribution of food and drinking water is difficult because arsenic uptake varies based on the form (i.e. organic or inorganic) and valence state of arsenic.[48] Based on limited available research,[49,50] intake of inorganic arsenic, which is considered more toxic, is estimated at 25% of total arsenic intake. In Canada, sources of arsenic in food include shellfish, meat, poultry, grain, and dairy products.[51] Arsenic has been found in bioaccessible forms (i.e. that can be readily absorbed) in Canadian wild plants and game, including berries, mushrooms, and hares.[52] In Ontario, 84% of the daily intake of arsenic was estimated to come from food, 15% from water, less than 1% from soils/dusts, and a negligible amount from skin contact.[51] This trend should be relatively similar across Canada. Arsenic in pigments and paints may be ingested through contaminated hands, fingernails, food, cups, or cigarettes.[1]

The average arsenic concentration in ambient air in 11 Canadian cities and one rural site in 1990 was 0.001 µg/m³.[48] Weathering and erosion of arsenic-containing rocks and soils contributes to natural levels of arsenic in the environment, however anthropogenic sources are the most significant contributors. Examples include mining base-metals and producing gold;[53] burning waste and coal;[54] leaching from arsenic treated sawdust and wood, or smoke from treated wood;[1] and applying arsenic-based pesticides.[55] Monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA), an arsenic-containing pesticide, was used in B.C. forests from 1995-2004 in an attempt to slow the pine beetle infestation.[40] When arsenic accumulation and behavioural changes in woodpeckers and other insect-feeding species were observed, MSMA was removed from B.C. markets.[56]

Some Canadian sites with high arsenic levels from mining/smelting residues include Moira Lake, ON, Yellowknife, NT, Bathurst, NB, and Rabbit Lake, SK.[55] Samples taken recently near Sydney, NS found 20% of background soil samples and 95% of tar pond soil samples were above Canadian health-based guidelines for arsenic in soil .[57]

Searches of Environment Canada’s National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) and the US Consumer Product Information Database yielded the following results on current potential for exposure to arsenic in Canada:

NPRI and US Consumer Product Information Database

NPRI 2015[58]
Substance name: ‘Arsenic’
Category	Quantity	Industry
Released into Environment	152 t	Foundries, Non-ferrous metal (except aluminum) production and processing, metal ore mining (272 facilities)
Disposed of	23,889 t
Sent to off-site recycling	473 t

US Consumer Products 2015[59]
Search Term	Quantity	Product Type
‘Arsenic’	6	Gear and motor oils (4), cement colorant (1), pet care lotion(1)

t = tonne

For more information, see the environmental exposure estimate for arsenic.

Environmental Estimate

Occupational Exposures Overview

Inhalation and dermal contact are the most important routes of occupational exposure.[1]

CAREX Canada estimates that approximately 22,000 Canadians are exposed to arsenic at work; about half are exposed due to the use of arsenic in CCA wood preservatives. The industries with the highest number of exposed workers are foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors, non-residential building construction, and farms. These workers are primarily exposed to arsenic through CCA treated wood. The occupations with the most workers exposed include construction trades helpers and labourers, carpenters, machinists and machining and tooling inspectors, and contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades.

According to the Burden of Occupational Cancer in Canada project, occupational exposure to arsenic compounds leads to approximately 60 lung cancers each year in Canada, based on past exposures (1961-2001).[60,61] This amounts to 0.3% of all lung cancers diagnosed annually. Most arsenic-related cancers occur among workers in the manufacturing and construction sectors.[61]

For more information, see the occupational exposure estimate for arsenic.

Occupational Estimate

Sources

1. National Toxicology Program (NTP). 14th report on carcinogens for Arsenic Compounds, Inorganic (2016) (PDF)

2. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Toxicological Profile for Arsenic (2005) (PDF)

3. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Monograph volume 23, Suppl. 7 (1987) (PDF)

4. US National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5359596, Arsenic

5. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Monograph summary, Volume 100C (2012) (PDF)

6. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). ToxFAQs Sheet (2007) (PDF)

7. Ministry of Justice. Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304) (2019)

8. Government of Alberta. Occupational Health and Safety Code. Alberta Regulation 191/2021 (2021) (PDF)

9. WorkSafeBC. Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, BC Reg 296/97, Part 5 (2020)

10. The Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII) Manitoba Regulation 217/2006 Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (2022)

11. Justice and Office of the Attorney General. Government of New Brunswick’s General Regulation 91-191, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (2020)

12. Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Regulation 5,12 Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (2018)

13. Government of the Northwest Territories. Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, R-039-2015 (2020) (PDF)

14. Government of Nova Scotia. Workplace Health and Safety Regulations made under Section 82 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (2015)

15. The Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII). Government of Nunavut’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Nu Reg 003-2016 (2010)

16. Ontario Ministry of Labour. Current Occupational Exposure Limits for Ontario Workplaces Required Under Regulation 833 (2020)

17. Government of Prince Edward Island. Occupational Health and Safety Act Regulations Chapter 0-1 (2013) (PDF)

18. Government of Quebec. Regulation Respecting Occupational Health and Safety (2020)

19. The Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII) The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 (2022)

20. The Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII). Yukon’s Occupational Health Regulations, O.I.C. 1986/164 (2020) (PDF)

21. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Annotated PELs (2020)

22. The Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII). Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water, CQLR c Q-2, r 40 (2020)

23. Government of British Columbia. Source Drinking Water Quality Guidelines (2020) (PDF)

24. Water Security Agency. Saskatchewan’s Drinking Water Quality Standards and Objectives (PDF) (2020)

25. Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Water Stewardship. Manitoba Water Quality Standards, Objectives, and Guidelines (2011) (PDF)

26. Health Canada. Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (2019) (PDF)

27. The Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII). Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards, O Reg 169/03 (2020)

28. Alberta Environment and Parks. Ambient Air Quality Objectives (2019)

29. Government of Manitoba. Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (2005) (PDF)

30. Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. Ontario’s Ambient Air Quality Criteria (2019)

31. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Environmental and Human Health: Arsenic (Inorganic) (PDF) (1997)

32. Government of Quebec. Clean Air Regulation, Q-2, r. 4.1 (2020)

33. Government of British Columbia. Contaminated Sites Regulation B.C. Reg. 375/96 (2021)

34. Health Canada. List of contaminants and other adulterating substances in foods (2020)

35. Health Canada. Prioritization of the Domestic Substances List (2006)

36. Environment and Climate Change Canada. CEPA List of Toxic Substances (2020)

37. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). National Classification System for Contaminated Sites (2008) (PDF)

38. Health Canada. Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist (2019)

39. Environment and Climate Change Canada. National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) Facility Search (2022)

40. US Geological Survey. Arsenic Yearbook (2007) (PDF)

41. Health Canada. Pest Management Regulatory Agency, Re-evaluation (2011) (PDF)

42. Government of Canada. Mountain Pine Beetle Controls: Reducing Unintended Harm to Forest Birds

43. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR). Toxicological profile for arsenic (2007) (PDF)

44. Environment Canada. 2011 Progress Report – Pollution Prevention Planning by Base Metals Smelters and Refineries and Zinc Plants (2011) (PDF)

45. Environment Canada. Base metals smelters and refineries, and zinc plants: final performance report (2022)

46. World Health Organization (WHO). Arsenic in Drinking Water: Background document for the development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality (2019)

47. Grosz AE, Grossman JN, Garette R, Vowinkel E. “A preliminary geochemical map for arsenic in surficial materials of Canada and the United States” Appl Geochem 2004;19:257-260

48. Health Canada. Environmental and Workplace Health: Arsenic (1993)

49. Hazell T. “Minerals in foods: dietary sources, chemical forms, interactions, bioavailability.” World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics1985;46:1.

50. EPA (1988). Special report on ingested inorganic arsenic. Skin cancer; nutritional essentiality. Report No. EPA-625/3-87/013, Risk Assessment Forum, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.

51. Canadian Environmental Health Atlas. Arsenic

52. Koch I, Dee J, House K, Sui J, Zhang J, McKnight-Whitford A, Reimer KJ. “Bioaccessibility and speciation of arsenic in country foods from contaminated sites in Canada.” Sci Total Environ 2013;449(1).

53. Health Canada. Priority Substances List Assessment report (CEPA) for Arsenic and its Compounds (1993) (PDF)

54. Health Canada. It’s Your Health: “Arsenic in Drinking Water” (2006) (PDF)

55. Wang S, Mulligan C. “Occurrence of arsenic contamination in Canada: Sources, behaviour and distribution.” Sci Tot Environ2006; 366(2-3):701-721.

56. Morrissey C, Dods P, Elliott J. “Pesticide Treatments Affect Mountain Pine Beetle Abundance and Woodpecker Foraging Behavior.” Ecological Applications 2008;18(1):172-184.

57. Lambert TW, Lane S. “Lead, arsenic, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil and house dust in the communities surrounding the Sydney, Nova Scotia, tar ponds.” Environ Health Perspect 2004;112(1):35-41.

58. Environment and Climate Change Canada. National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) Facility Search (Substance name: (NA – 02) Arsenic (and its compounds))

59. Consumer Product Information Database (CPID). Chemicals (Search term: ‘Arsenic’)

60. Labrèche F, Kim J, Song C, Pahwa M, Calvin BG, Arrandale VH, McLeod CB, Peters CE, Lavoué J, Davies HW, Nicol AM. “The current burden of cancer attributable to occupational exposures in Canada.” Prev Med 2019;122:128-39.

61. Occupational Cancer Research Centre. Other burden results. (2017)

Other Resources

Leonardi G, Vahter M, Clemens F, Goessler W, Gurzau E, Hemminki K, Hough R, Koppova K, Kumar R, Rudnai P, Surdu S, Fletcher T. “Inorganic Arsenic and Basal Cell Carcinoma in Areas of Hungary, Romani, and Slovakia: A Case-Control Study.”Environ Health Perspect 2012; 120(5): 721-726
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Drinking Water Requirements for States and Public Water Systems
Decke P, Cohen B, Butala J, Gordon T. “Exposure to Wood Dust and Heavy Metals in Workers Using CCA Pressure-Treated Wood.” Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 2002;63(2):166171.

NEXT: Environmental Exposures >>

CAREX Canada

School of Population and Public Health

University of British Columbia
Vancouver Campus
370A - 2206 East Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
CANADA

Email: [email protected]

FAQs
Terms of Use
Glossary

Arsenic – Environmental Exposures

by CAREXCanada | Feb 5, 2019

SUBSTANCE PROFILE

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES

RESOURCES

Overview

Mapping

Cancer Risk Estimates

Methods and Data

Arsenic Environmental Exposures

Overview

NPRI and US Household Products Database

NPRI 2015[15]
Substance name: ‘Arsenic’
Category	Quantity	Industry
Released into Environment	152 t	Foundries, Non-ferrous metal (except aluminum) production and processing, metal ore mining (272 facilities)
Disposed of	23,889 t
Sent to off-site recycling	473 t

US Household Products 2015[16]
Search Term	Quantity	Product Type
‘Arsenic’	6	Gear and motor oils (4), cement colorant (1), pet care lotion(1)

t = tonne

Mapping

This map shows predicted levels of arsenic in outdoor air at residential locations by health region in Canada as of 2011. The average (median) concentration of arsenic within the health regions measured in outdoor air for 2011 was 0.0006 µg/m³, but concentrations of arsenic can be higher or lower than average in many locations. Concentrations should be compared to the applicable jurisdictional guidelines and standards for ambient air quality based on chronic, carcinogenic effects (or non-carcinogenic effects, if cancer is not the point of interest).

Predicted annual average arsenic concentrations in outdoor air at residential locations by health region, 2011

*Measured at the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) monitors in 2011

Cancer Risk Estimates

Potential lifetime excess cancer risk (LECR) is an indicator of Canadians’ exposure to known or suspected carcinogens in the environment. When potential LECR is more than 1 per million in a single pathway, a more detailed risk assessment may be useful for confirming the need to reduce individual exposure. If measured levels of arsenic in relevant exposure pathways (outdoor air, indoor air, indoor dust, drinking water, and food and beverages) decrease, the risk will also decrease.

Potential LECR is calculated by multiplying lifetime average daily intake (the amount inhaled or ingested) by a cancer potency factor or unit risk factor. More than one cancer potency factor may be available, because agencies interpret the underlying health studies differently, or use a more precautionary approach. Our results use cancer potency factors from Health Canada, the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), and/or the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA).

The calculated lifetime daily intake and LECR results for arsenic are provided in the tables below. For more information on supporting data and sources, click on the Methods and Data tab below.

Calculated Lifetime Daily Intake

Lifetime Excess Cancer Risk (per million people)

*LECR based on average intake x cancer potency factor from each agency

Compare substances: Canadian Potential Lifetime Excess Cancer Risk, 2011

The data in this table are based on average intake and Health Canada’s cancer potency factor, assuming no change in measured levels. When Health Canada values are not available, United States Environmental Protection Agency values are used.
Click the second tab to view LECR data.

Exposure not applicable: For indicated pathways, substance not present, not carcinogenic, or exposure is negligible
Gap in data: No cancer potency factor or unit risk factor, or no data available
IARC Group 1 = Carcinogenic to humans, IARC Group 2A = Probably carcinogenic to humans, IARC Group 2B = Possibly carcinogenic to humans

NOTE: Chromium (hexavalent) estimates assume that 5% of total chromium measured in outdoor air is hexavalent and 8% total chromium measured in indoor dust is hexavalent.

Potential LECR assumes exposure occurs at the same level, 24 hours per day, for 70 years. This is rarely true for any single individual, but using a standard set of assumptions allows us to provide a relative ranking for known and suspected carcinogens across different exposure routes. While ongoing research continually provides new evidence about cancer potency and whether there is a safe threshold of exposure, our approach assumes there are no safe exposure levels.

Methods and Data

Our Environmental Approach page outlines the general approach used to calculate lifetime excess cancer risk estimates and includes documentation on our mapping methods.

Data sources and data quality for arsenic can be found in the PDF below.

Supplemental data – Arsenic [PDF]

Sources

1. World Health Organization (WHO). Arsenic in Drinking Water: Background document for the development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality (2003) (PDF)

2. Grosz AE, Grossman JN, Garette R, Vowinkel E. “A preliminary geochemical map for arsenic in surficial materials of Canada and the United States” Appl Geochem 2004;19:257-260

3. Health Canada. Environmental and Workplace Health: Arsenic (1993)

4. Hazell T. “Minerals in foods: dietary sources, chemical forms, interactions, bioavailability.” World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics1985;46:1.

5. EPA (1988). Special report on ingested inorganic arsenic. Skin cancer; nutritional essentiality. Report No. EPA-625/3-87/013, Risk Assessment Forum, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.

6. Canadian Environmental Health Atlas. Arsenic

7. Koch I, Dee J, House K, Sui J, Zhang J, McKnight-Whitford A, Reimer KJ. “Bioaccessibility and speciation of arsenic in country foods from contaminated sites in Canada.” Sci Total Environ 2013;449(1).

8. National Toxicology Program (NTP). 14th report on carcinogens for Arsenic Compounds, Inorganic (2016) (PDF)

9. Health Canada. Priority Substances List Assessment report (CEPA) for Arsenic and its Compounds (1993) (PDF)

10. Health Canada. It’s Your Health: “Arsenic in Drinking Water” (2006) (PDF)

11. Wang S, Mulligan C. “Occurrence of arsenic contamination in Canada: Sources, behaviour and distribution.” Sci Tot Environ2006; 366(2-3):701-721.

12. US Geological Survey. Arsenic Yearbook (2007) (PDF)

13. Morrissey C, Dods P, Elliott J. “Pesticide Treatments Affect Mountain Pine Beetle Abundance and Woodpecker Foraging Behavior.” Ecological Applications 2008;18(1):172-184.

14. Lambert TW, Lane S. “Lead, arsenic, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil and house dust in the communities surrounding the Sydney, Nova Scotia, tar ponds.” Environ Health Perspect 2004;112(1):35-41.

15. Environment and Climate Change Canada. National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) Facility Search (Substance name: ‘Arsenic’)

16. US National Library of Medicine. Household Products Database (HPD) (Search term: ‘Arsenic’)

NEXT: Occupational Exposures >>

CAREX Canada

School of Population and Public Health

University of British Columbia
Vancouver Campus
370A - 2206 East Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
CANADA

Email: [email protected]

FAQs
Terms of Use
Glossary

Arsenic – Occupational Exposures

by CAREXCanada | Feb 5, 2019

SUBSTANCE PROFILE

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES

Arsenic Occupational Exposures

Overview

Inhalation and dermal contact are the most important routes of occupational exposure.[1] CAREX Canada estimates that approximately 22,000 Canadians are exposed to arsenic at work; about half are exposed due to the use of arsenic in CCA wood preservatives.

Prevalence Estimate

Results show that approximately 22,000 Canadians are currently exposed to arsenic at work. Of these, 92% are male.

The industries with the highest number of exposed workers are foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors; non-residential building construction; and farms. Exposure in these groups primarily occurs through contact with arsenic-containing CCA wood preservatives. Workers may also be exposed to arsenic in the workplace in industries other than wood preservation. For example, exposure to arsenic occurs in the non-ferrous metal production and processing industry, as well as in iron and steel mills, where arsenic is produced as a by-product of the processing of other metals.

When exposure is examined by occupation, the largest groups of workers exposed to arsenic are construction trades helpers and labourers (4,700 workers exposed), carpenters (3,300 workers exposed), machinists and machining and tooling inspectors (2,000 workers exposed), and contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades (1,400 workers exposed).

The number of workers exposed to arsenic decreased by approximately 2,300 workers from 2006 to 2016 (a 9% decrease). This was driven by a decrease in the total number of workers in the sawmills and wood preservation industry, and the proportion of workers exposed within this industry.

Workers exposed to arsenic by industry in 2016

Workers exposed to arsenic by region in 2016

Click the second tab to view total number of workers exposed.

* = < 50 workers

Methods and Data

Our Occupational Approach page outlines the general approach used to calculate prevalence and exposure level estimates for workplace exposures.

Data Sources

Data used in developing the occupational estimates for arsenic were collected from several sources:

The Canadian Workplace Exposure Database (CWED) contains over 700 measurements for arsenic exposure. These measurements were collected during the years 1981 to 2004 in Ontario and British Columbia workplaces.
Canadian and US scientific peer reviewed publications that addressed arsenic exposure in Canada and the United States.
Grey literature including technical reports from governments and international bodies.

Prevalence Estimate Method

CAREX defines exposure to arsenic as inhalation or dermal contact at work to levels above those encountered in the general environment (i.e. excluding exposure via ingestion of food or drinking water). In occupations involving wood preservation, exposure to arsenic includes direct contact with preservatives, as well as during the handling and processing of CCA-treated wood.

To determine the number of workers potentially exposed to arsenic at work, CAREX occupational exposure experts used methods previously established in other peer-reviewed CAREX projects in Europe. A series of steps were taken to assign exposure proportions to occupations and industries at risk of exposure to arsenic.

Occupations and industries at risk of possible exposure to arsenic were identified using any combination of data sources described above.
The total number of workers in each identified occupation and industry intersection was obtained from Statistics Canada 2016 census data.
A percentage of workers exposed was assigned to that occupation and industry intersection. Percentages were determined by consultation with existing evidence in the data sources, previously established methods from the Europe CAREX estimates and the expert judgement of CAREX occupational hygienists.
The number of workers in the identified group is multiplied by the assigned percentage to calculate the prevalence estimate of workers exposed to arsenic.

Sources

1. National Toxicology Program (NTP). 14th report on carcinogens for Arsenic Compounds, Inorganic (2016) (PDF)

2. Labrèche F, Kim J, Song C, Pahwa M, Calvin BG, Arrandale VH, McLeod CB, Peters CE, Lavoué J, Davies HW, Nicol AM. “The current burden of cancer attributable to occupational exposures in Canada.” Prev Med 2019;122:128-39.

3. Occupational Cancer Research Centre. Other burden results. (2017)

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CAREX Canada

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University of British Columbia
Vancouver Campus
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Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
CANADA

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Arsenic – Resources

by CAREXCanada | Feb 18, 2019

SUBSTANCE PROFILE

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES

RESOURCES

Arsenic Resources

Package summaries

Mining [PDF]
Wood Product Manufacturing [PDF]

Tools

eWORK

Special topics pages

Community-led projects with First Nations and health system partners

Publications

Peters CE, Ge CB, Hall AL, Davies HW, Demers PA. “CAREX Canada: an enhanced model for assessing occupational carcinogen exposure.” Occup Environ Med 2015;72(1):64-71.
Setton E, Hystad P, Poplawski K, Cheasley R, Cervantes-Larios A, Keller CP, Demers PA. “Risk-based indicators of Canadians’ exposures to environmental carcinogens.” Environ Health 2013;12(1):15.

Videos

Exposure Reduction

Our team has performed a detailed scan of exposure control resources and assembled a compilation of key publications and resources. These are organized by type of exposure (environmental or occupational) and by specificity (general or carcinogen-specific). Please visit our Exposure Reduction Resources page to view.

CAREX Canada

School of Population and Public Health

University of British Columbia
Vancouver Campus
370A - 2206 East Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
CANADA

Email: [email protected]

FAQs
Terms of Use
Glossary

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