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CANADIAN INDUSTRY ONLINE - FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012
ADDRESS PROBLEM DRIVERS
In 2009 Ontario passed the Toxics Re-
duction Act (TRA), which requires fa-
cilities that report under the National
Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) to
prepare Pollution Prevention plans for
designated toxic substances used dur-
ing 2010.
Even in minute quantities, many toxic
substances can cause significant envi-
ronmental degradation. For example,
Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylates (NPEs),
which are common in many soaps,
are endocrine disruptors that can
cause fish to change sex (and hence
inhibit reproduction).
Many toxic substances are carcino-
genic, mutagenic, and/or immediately
dangerous to life and health. There-
fore, reducing or eliminating the use
of such toxics can drastically improve
the work environment.
EVEN IN MINUTE QUANTITIES, MANY TOXIC SUBSTANCES CAN
CAUSE SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION.
ENVIRO-STEWARDS