The city of Toronto just passed a bylaw that will allow you to know more about the chemicals potentially in your local neighbourhood.
Council approved overwhelmingly to approve the bylaw, which will require local businesses to report on their emissions of 25 identified substances. The required reporting comes into effect on January 1, 2010, phased in by June 30, 2013.
People will be able to access the information through a "searchable website", and see what facilities, neighbourhoods, or specific chemicals may be involved, using maps and tables. So theoretically, you could look up your local neighbourhood to see what kind of chemicals are being emitted nearby.
Why the Bylaw?
The Toronto Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David McKeown, produced a report (PDF) that recommended that the City track and report on "key toxic substances" in Toronto's environment, and specificially the air we breathe.
According to a City of Toronto document (PDF), current regulations include only large businesses, however in Toronto, there is little information available to the public from small and medium businesses. The city notes that currently,
Toxic substances can be measured in our air, but we do not know which facilities are using them or how much they are releasing into the local environment
The city also notes that when reporting programs are in place, companies tend to find ways to reduce the amount of chemicals being used. In addition, the right-to-know information "will increase residents’ knowledge and awareness of their local environment and the businesses in their neighbourhoods" and potentially "build support for environmental improvements".
Which Businesses will be Included or Excluded?
According to the city (PDF), "Any facility that uses or releases any of the priority substances may have to report".
Typically, the following companies may be expected to report, since typically these companies use one or more of the identified substances:
- food and beverage manufacturing
- clothing manufacturing
- printing and publishing
- chemical manufacturing
- wood industries
- other manufacturing
- chemical distribution
- waste management and remediation
- medical and diagnostic laboratories
- automotive repair and maintenance
- laundry services, including dry cleaning
- funeral services
Some emissions would be exempt, such as those from homes, stores, medical offices and construction sites. In addition, emissions from janitorial work, vehicle emissions, space and water heating, and personal use by employees may not have to be reported.
How will the Bylaw be Enforced?
The city will provide "free training, technical assistance, information about financial incentives and other supports" to help businesses implement the bylaw.
There will also be fines implemented to enforce the bylaw. For a company that "knowingly submits inaccurate data or does not submit the data requested by the Medical Officer of Health would be guilty of an offence and is liable for a fine".
A first offence would be a $5,000 fine
A second offence would be a $25,000 fine
A subsequent offence would be a $100,000 fine
What Chemicals Will be Reported On?
The 25 substances that will be tracked and reported include:
- Acetaldehyde
- Acrolein
- Benzene,1,3-Butadiene
- Cadmium
- Carbon tetrachloride
- Chromium (Hexavalent and Non-hexavalent)
- Chloroform (Trichloromethane)
- 1,2-Dibromo ethane (Ethylene dibromide)
- 1,4-Dichlorobenzene,1,2-Dichloroethane (Ethylene dichloride)
- Dichloromethane (Methylene chloride)
- Formaldehyde
- Lead
- Manganese
- Mercury
- Nickel
- Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
- Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5)
- Polycylic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene)
- Trichloroethylene
- Vinyl chloride
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
More Information About the Toronto Toxic Reporting Bylaw
The City of Toronto has a lot of information available on the "Healthy People Healthy Environment" page on their site
In addition, here are links to many of the PDF documents about the environmental reporting bylaw:
Image by manarh
