'Forever chemicals' found in Canadians' blood samples: report

Toxic "forever chemicals" are being found in the blood of Canadians — and even higher levels are being found in northern Indigenous communities — says a new report from the government of Canada.

Health Canada and Environment Canada have released a draft assessment of the science on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Both departments propose listing the man-made chemicals as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). 

Canadians have until mid-July to weigh in on the proposed change to CEPA.

Listing a substance as toxic under CEPA is the first step toward the government enacting regulations to ban it, as Ottawa did with single-use plastic items.

Studies show PFAS can harm human health and wildlife. Some of the chemicals accumulate in the liver and kidneys.

Because PFAS break down very slowly, living things are exposed to them repeatedly and PFAS blood levels can build up over time.

PFAS can be found in various consumer products — cosmetics, diapers, menstrual products, food packaging, carpets, furniture and clothing. But while many of these products are considered disposable, PFAS chemicals hang around. 

"Only diamonds should be forever — not human-made substances that are polluting our environment," said Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault in a tweet.

"We must do all that we can to protect the health and safety of Canadians and our environment," said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos.

The government defines PFAS as a class of more than 4,700 human-made chemicals — a list that keeps growing. 

The government report states humans are also exposed to "forever chemicals" through the air they breathe, in dust and in drinking water.

The "extremely persistent" chemicals are found across Canada and even in the remote Arctic, the report said.

PFAS are also used in firefighting equipment like flame-retardant foam and in vital components in electric vehicles, batteries and solar panels.

"[PFAS] contribute to clean energy and emissions reduction," said Danielle Morrison, a policy manager for the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada.