Canada consultation risks of Melamine
Open to 26th March 2025, public consultation on revised risk characterisation and risk management scope for Melamine. The updated risk characterisation document proposes to identify melamine as harmful to human health but not to the environment, considering that “critical effects associated with exposure to melamine are carcinogenicity, effects on the urinary system and reproductive toxicity” and that “exposure to melamine from melaware (including bambooware), foam-containing products (including mattresses, upholstered furniture, infant and child restraint systems as well as booster seats), paints, sealants, and cooktop cleaners may be harmful to human health”. Consequently, regulatory and non-regulatory actions are proposed to reduce exposure to melamine from tableware and kitchen utensils, paints, cleaning products and flame retardant uses susceptible to result in prolonged contact for infants and children. This does not concern melamine compounds used as PIN flame retardants (e.g. melamine polyphosphate, melamine cyanurate). Under Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan, nine other flame retardants are also prioritised for action (TCP, ATE, DP, EBTP, DBDPE, TBB, TBPH, TCPP, TDCPP).
TCP = Tricresyl phosphate
ATE = Benzene, 1,3,5-tribromo-2-(2-propenyloxy)-
DP = Dichlorane plus
EBTBP = Ethylene bis(tetrabromophthalimide)
DBDPE = Decabromodiphenyl ethane
TBB = 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5 tetrabromobenzoate
TBPH = bis(2-ethylhexyl) 3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate (TBPH)- information sheet
TCPP = 2-Propanol, 1-chloro-, phosphate (3:1)
TDCPP = 2-Propanol, 1,3-dichloro-, phosphate (3:1)
“Certain Organic Flame Retardants Substance Grouping”, Canada Government https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/chemical-substances/substance-groupings-initiative/certain-organic-flame-retardants-substance-grouping.html
Consultation open to 26th March 2025: “Publication of supplemental material after updated draft screening assessment of melamine, CAS RN 108-78-1, …”, Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 159, Number 4, 25th January 2025 https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2025/2025-01-25/html/notice-avis-eng.html#nl4
