In 2008, MREAC partnered with Environment Canada to participate in the Chemical Management Plan. This program was created after scientists for several years have been noticing subtle changes in the environment where the causes were not easy to identify. Detailed analysis of impacted organisism and their environment began to reveal that trace amounts of some chemicals were having significant impacts on plants, animals and human health. New chemicals by the thousands are being used in an array of industrial processes and filling up our homes in the products we buy.

More sophisticated sampling and analytical technology has allowed greater opportunity to identify and measure the levels of these chemicals and their impacts. Environment Canada in response to the thousands of new chemicals in the environment launched into a nation wide monitoring program to better onitor levels and impacts with the idea of better future control.

MREAC's current monthly sampling routine is targeting two chemical groups; one being flame retardents (or perflurinated compounds), the other an industrial chemical bisphenol A. Both of these chemicals are widespread in household products and find their way into the environment. As this project continues the number of chemicals will expand into others of concern.

Table 1: BPA results for theNapan River from August 2008 to October 2009, courtesy of Environment Canada

Across Canada

Map provided by Environment Canada illustrating all CMP sites across Canada