SUMMARY TABLE

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines

Update 2002

Summary of Existing Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines

These guidelines supersede previously published Canadian environmental quality guidelines
(EQGs). The user is strongly advised to consult the appropriate chapter and/or fact sheet in
this document for specific information pertaining to each EQG or range of EQGs listed in this

Chapter 1

Air

Chapter 2

Water: Community

Chapter 3

Aldrin + Dieldrin
Algae, blue-green [See Cyanobacteria]
Aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbonsbb (each)
Aliphatics nonchlorinated (each)
Aluminum

AOc
(gL-1)

-1

-1

Chapter 7

Water: Agriculture

Sediment

Soil

-1

Livestock
-1

(gL )

(gL )

(gL )

0.15

54.9

11

0.7

No EQG j

Freshwater
ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

Chapter 8
Tissue Residue

Marine
ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

Agri.f
(mgkg-1)

Res./Parkg
(mgkg-1)

Comm.h
(mgkg-1)

Industriali
(mgkg-1)

0.1y
0.3y

5y

50y

50y

20y

20y

40y

40y

12

12

12

12

750

500

2000

2000

0.05

0.5

(gkg-1
diet ww)

Narrative

100

q, r

5000ff

5100
see factsheets

Ammonia (un-ionized)
Aniline
Anthracene [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)]
Antimony

19s
2.2

Azinphos-methyl
Barium
Bendiocarb
Benz(a)anthracene [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs)]
Benzene

Chapter 6

(gL )

Ammonia (total)

Antimony125
Aquatic plants
Aroclor 1254 [See Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)]
Arsenic
Atrazine

Chapter 5

Freshwater Marine Irrigation

1 h, 8 h or 24 h, 1 aa MAC, IMACb
(gm-3)
(gL-1)

Acenaphthene [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

(PAHs)]
Acenaphthylene [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs)]
Acridine [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)]
Aesthetics
Aldicarb

Chapter 4

Water:
Recreation and
aesthetics
Water: Aquatic life

Parameter

table. Guideline values are listed under chemical names, which are cross-referenced with
common names, abbreviations, and/or families of chemicals as appropriate. Units for each
EQG are as indicated for each column unless otherwise noted in the table.

5000ff

6 (IMAC)
100 BqL-1 k
Narrative
25 (IMAC)
5 (IMAC)

5.0
1.8

12.5

20
1000
40

370

110

100
10

25
5

5900

17 000

7240

41 600

Continued.

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines

SUMMARY
TABLE
Update 2002

Chapter 1

Air

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Water: Community

Chapter 4

Water:
Recreation and
aesthetics
Water: Aquatic life

Parameter

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Water: Agriculture

Sediment

Soil

Freshwater Marine Irrigation

1 h, 8 h or 24 h, 1 aa MAC, IMACb
(gm-3)
(gL-1)

AOc
(gL-1)

-1

(gL )

-1

(gL )

-1

Livestock
-1

Freshwater
ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

Chapter 8
Tissue Residue

Marine
ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

Agri.f
(mgkg-1)

Res./Parkg
(mgkg-1)

Comm.h
(mgkg-1)

Industriali
(mgkg-1)

(gL )

(gL )

100ff

100ff

4y

4y

8y

8y

5006000ff
0.2

5000ff
1100

2y,z

0.33
5.1

11
80
1 000 000ff
13
1100

1.4

10

22

22

0.1y
0.1y
0.1y
0.1y
0.05y
0.05y

1y
1y
1y
1y
2y
2y

10y
10y
10y
10y
10y
10y

10y
10y
10y
10y
10y
10y

Benzo(b)fluoranthene [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

(PAHs)]
Benzo(k)fluoranthene [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs)]
Beryllium
2,2-Bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethane [See DDD]

-1

(gkg
diet ww)

2,2-Bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane [See DDT]

Blue-green algae [See Cyanobacteria]
Boron
Bromacil
Bromate
Bromoform [See Halogenated methanes, Tribromomethane]

5000 (IMAC)
10 (IMAC)r

Bromoxynil
Cadmium
Calcium
Captan
Carbaryl
Carbofuran
Carbon monoxide
Carbon tetrachloride [See Halogenated methanes,
Tetrachloromethane]
Cerium141
Cerium144
Cesium134
Cesium137
Chemical characteristics
Chloramines [See Reactive chlorine species]
Chlordane

5 (IMAC)
5

5.0
0.017

0.12

90

1.3
0.20

0.32

90

1.8

45

No EQG j

No EQG j

600

3500

700

4200

4.50

8.87

2.26

4.79

1 h: 15 00035 000
8 h: 600020 000
1 a: no EQG j
100 BqL-1 k
20 BqL-1 k
7 BqL-1 k
10 BqL-1 k
Narrative

250 000

Chloride
Chlorinated benzenes
Monochlorobenzene
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene

5.0

80
200

30
3

100 000
700 000ff
1.3
0.70
150
26
8.0
24

25
42

5.4

Continued.

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines

SUMMARY
TABLE
Update 2002

Chapter 1

Air

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Water: Community

Parameter

Chapter 4

Water:
Recreation and
aesthetics
Water: Aquatic life

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Water: Agriculture

Sediment

Soil

Freshwater Marine Irrigation

1 h, 8 h or 24 h, 1 aa MAC, IMACb
(gm-3)
(gL-1)

AOc
(gL-1)

1,3,5-Trichlorobenzene
1,2,3,4-Tetrachlorobenzene
1,2,3,5-Tetrachlorobenzene
1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene
Pentachlorobenzene
Hexachlorobenzene

-1

(gL )

-1

(gL )

-1

(gL )

Livestock
-1

(gL )

Freshwater
ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

Chapter 8
Tissue Residue

Marine
ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

1.8

6.0
0.52

Agri.f
(mgkg-1)
0.05y
0.05y
0.05y
0.05y
0.05y
0.05y

Res./Parkg
(mgkg-1)
2y
2y
2y
2y
2y
2y

Comm.h
(mgkg-1)
10y
10y
10y
10y
10y
10y

Industriali
(mgkg-1)
10y
10y
10y
10y
10y
10y

0.1y
0.1y
0.1y
0.1y
0.1y

5y
5y
5y
5y
5y

50y
50y
50y
50y
50y

50y
50y
50y
50y
50y

0.1y
0.1y
0.1
0.1

5y
5y
3
0.2

50y
50y
31
0.5

50y
50y
31
0.6

0.05y
0.05y
0.05y
0.05y
0.05y
0.05y
0.05y
7.6

0.5y
0.5y
0.5y
0.5y
0.5y
0.5y
0.5y
7.6

5y
5y
5y
5y
5y
5y
5y
7.6

5y
5y
5y
5y
5y
5y
5y
7.6

0.1y
0.1y

5y
5y

50y
50y

50y
50y

64

64

87

87

0.4

0.4

1.4

1.4

-1

(gkg
diet ww)

Chlorinated ethanes
1,1-Dichloroethane
1,2-Dichloroethane
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
1,1,2,2-Tetrachlorethane
Chlorinated ethenes
Monochloroethene (Vinyl chloride)
1,1-Dichloroethene (Dichloroethylene)
1,2-Dichloroethene
1,1,2-Trichloroethene (Trichloroethylene, TCE)
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethene (Tetrachloroethylene, PCE)
Chlorinated methanes [See Halogenated methanes]
Chlorinated phenols
Monochlorophenols
Dichlorophenols
2,4-Dichlorophenol
Trichlorophenols
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
Tetrachlorophenols
2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol
Pentachlorophenol (PCP)

5 (IMAC)

100

ff

2
14
50
30

50ff

21
111

7ff
0.2ff
900

0.3

100
60

1
30

18ff
1ff
0.5ff

Chlorinated propane (1,2-dichloropropane)

Chlorinated propene (1,2-dichloropropene (cis and trans))
Chlorine, reactive [See Reactive chlorine species]
Chloroform [See Halogenated methanes, Trichloromethane]
4-Chloro-2-methyl phenoxy acetic acid [See MCPA]
Chlorothalonil
Chlorpyrifos
Chromium
Trivalent chromium (Cr(III))
Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI))
Chrysene [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)]

90
50

0.18
0.0035

0.36
0.002

5.8

170
24

8.9
1.0

56
1.5

4.9
8

50
50

37 300

90 000

52 300

160 000

Continued.

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines

SUMMARY
TABLE
Update 2002

Chapter 1

Air

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Water: Community

Water:
Recreation and
aesthetics
Water: Aquatic life

Parameter

Clarity
Cobalt
Cobalt60
Coliforms, fecal (Escherichia coli)

2 BqL
Narrative

Coliforms, total

Narrative

AOc
(gL-1)

-1

(gL )

-1

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Water: Agriculture

Sediment

Soil

(gL )

-1

-1

(gL )

50ff

1000ff

-1 k

Narrative

Livestock

(gL )

Narrative

Coliphages
Colour
Conductivity
Copper

Cyanide
Cyanobacteria (Blue-green algae)
Cyanobacterial toxins (as Microcystin - LR)
2,4-D [See 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid]

Chapter 5

Freshwater Marine Irrigation

1 h, 8 h or 24 h, 1 aa MAC, IMACb
(gm-3)
(gL-1)

Cyanazine

Chapter 4

Freshwater
ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

Chapter 8
Tissue Residue

Marine
ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

Agri.f
(mgkg-1)

Res./Parkg
(mgkg-1)

Comm.h
(mgkg-1)

Industriali
(mgkg-1)

40y

50y

300y

300y

2y [dS/m]
63

2y [dS/m]
63

4y [dS/m]
91

4y [dS/m]
91

0.9

0.9

8.0

8.0

-1

(gkg
diet ww)

100 per
100 mLff
1000 per
100 mLff

Narrative
15 TCUm

Narrative Narrative
ff

1000

Narrative

24

2001000

5005000

10 (IMAC)

2.0

0.5

10

200

5ff
Narrative

35 700

197 000

18 700

108 000

Narrative

1.5
See also Phenoxy
herbicideso
1.5

DDAC (Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride)

DDD (2,2-Bis (p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethane;
Dichloro diphenyl dichloroethane)
DDE (1,1-Dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-ethene,
Diphenyl dichloro ethylene
DDT (2,2-Bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane;
Dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane)
Debris
Deltamethrin
Deposited bedload sediment [See Total particulate matter]

See also Phenoxy

herbicideso

No EQGj

No EQGj

3.54

8.51

1.22

7.81

14.0l

1.42

6.75

2.07

374

14.0l

1.19

4.77

1.19

4.77

0.7

0.7

12

12

14.0l

Narrative
0.0004

Diazinon
Dibenz(a,h)anthracene [See Polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs)]
Dibromochloromethane [See Halogenated methanes]
Di-n-butyl phthalate [See Phthalate esters]

20

Dicamba
Dichlorobenzene [See Chlorinated benzenes]
Dichlorobromomethane [See Halogenated methanes]
1,1-Dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-ethene [See DDE]
Dichloro diphenyl dichloroethane [See DDD]

120

2.5

10

0.006

122

Dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane [See DDT]

Dichloroethane [See Chlorinated ethanes]
Continued.

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines

SUMMARY
TABLE
Update 2002

Chapter 1

Air

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Water: Community

Water:
Recreation and
aesthetics
Water: Aquatic life

Parameter

1,2-dichloropropane [See chlorinated propane]

1,2-dichloropropene [See chlorinated propene]
Diclofop-methyl
Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride [See DDAC]
Dieldrin
Dieldrin + Aldrin [See Aldrin + Dieldrin]
Diethylene glycol [See Glycols]
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate [See Phthalate esters]
Dimethoate
Di-n-butyl phthalate [See Phthalate esters]
Di-n-octyl phthalate [See Phthalate esters]
Dinoseb
Diphenyl dichloro ethylene [See DDE]
Diquat
Dissolved gas supersaturation
Dissolved oxygen [See Oxygen, dissolved]
Dissolved solids [See Total dissolved solids]
Diuron
Endosulfan
Endrin

AOc
(gL-1)

-1

(gL )

100 (IMAC)

-1

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Water: Agriculture

Sediment

Soil

-1

(gL )

(gL )

See also Phenoxy

herbicideso

6.2

10

0.05

Livestock

Freshwater

Chapter 8
Tissue Residue

Marine
Agri.f
(mgkg-1)

Res./Parkg
(mgkg-1)

Comm.h
(mgkg-1)

Industriali
(mgkg-1)

2.4

0.1

1.2

20

20

10002000

200y

400y

2000y

2000y

-1

(gL )

ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

2.85

6.67

0.71

4.30

2.67

62.4

2.67

62.4

-1

(gkg
diet ww)

See also Phenoxy

herbicideso

6.1

20 (IMAC)

0.18

16

150

70
Narrative Narrative

150

Enterococci
Escherichia coli [See Coliforms, fecal]
Ethylbenzene
Ethylene glycol [See Glycols]
Fecal coliforms [See Coliforms, fecal]
Fluoranthene [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs)]
Fluorene [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)]
Fluoride
Inorganic fluorides

Chapter 5

Freshwater Marine Irrigation

1 h, 8 h or 24 h, 1 aa MAC, IMACb
(gm-3)
(gL-1)

Dichloroethene [See Chlorinated ethenes]

Dichloroethylene [See Chlorinated ethenes,
1,1-Dichloroethene]
Dichloromethane [See Halogenated methanes]
Dichlorophenols [See Chlorinated phenols]
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) [See also Phenoxy
herbicides]

Chapter 4

0.02ff
No EQG j

No EQG j

Narrative
2.4

90

1500
0.12

25

1000

No EQG

Continued.

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines

SUMMARY
TABLE
Update 2002

Chapter 1

Air

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Water: Community

Parameter

Chapter 4

Water:
Recreation and
aesthetics
Water: Aquatic life

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Water: Agriculture

Sediment

Soil

Freshwater Marine Irrigation

1 h, 8 h or 24 h, 1 aa MAC, IMACb
(gm-3)
(gL-1)

Glycols
Ethylene glycol
Diethylene glycol
Propylene glycol
Glyphosate

AOc
(gL-1)

-1

(gL )

-1

(gL )

-1

(gL )

Livestock
-1

(gL )

Freshwater
ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

500 000
65

Grease and oil [See Oil and grease]

Halogenated methanes
Monochloromethane (Methyl chloride)
Dichloromethane (Methylene chloride)
Trichloromethane (Chloroform)
Tetrachloromethane (Carbon tetrachloride)
Monobromomethane (Methyl bromide)
Tribromomethane (Bromoform)
Dichlorobromomethane
Dibromochloromethane
Trihalomethanes (total)

PELe
(gkg-1)

Agri.f
(mgkg-1)

Res./Parkg
(mgkg-1)

Comm.h
(mgkg-1)

Industriali
(mgkg-1)

960

960

960

960

0.1y
0.1y
0.1y

5y
5y
5y

50y
50y
50y

50y
50y
50y

-1

(gkg
diet ww)

280ff

insufficient data
98.1
1.8
13.3

50

Tissue Residue

Marine
ISQGd
(gkg-1)

192 000

280 (IMAC)

Chapter 8

insufficient data
50ff
100ff
5ff
100ff
100ff
100ff

100 (IMAC)

HCBD [See Hexachlorobutadiene]

No EQG j

Heptachlor (Heptachlor epoxide)

Hexachlorobenzene [See Chlorinated benzenes]
Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD)
Hexachlorocyclohexane [See Lindane]
Hydrogen fluoride
Hypochlorous acid [See Reactive chlorine species]
Indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene [See Polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs)]
Inorganic fluorides [See Flouride]
Iodine125
Iodine131
3-Iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate [See IPBC]
IPBC (3-Iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate)
Iron
Iron59
Lead
Lead210
Lindane (Hexachlorocyclohexane)
Linuron
Lithium

No EQG j

0.60

2.74

0.60

2.74

100

35 000

91 300

30 200

112 000

70

140

260

600

4ff

0.94

1.38

0.32

0.99

0.01y

1.3
1 h: no EQG j
24 h: 1.1
7 d: 0.5

10 BqL-1 k
6 BqL-1 k

40 BqL
10

-1 k

300

1.9
300ff

5000ff

17ff

200ff

0.1 BqL-1 k
0.01
7.0

0.071
2500ff
Continued.

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines

SUMMARY
TABLE
Update 2002

Chapter 1

Air

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Water: Community

Parameter

Malathion
Manganese
Manganese54
MCPA (4-Chloro-2-methyl phenoxy acetic acid;
2-Methyl-4-chloro phenoxy acetic acid)
Mercury

Chapter 4

Water:
Recreation and
aesthetics
Water: Aquatic life

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Water: Agriculture

Sediment

Soil

Freshwater Marine Irrigation

1 h, 8 h or 24 h, 1 aa MAC, IMACb
(gm-3)
(gL-1)
190
200 BqL

-1 k

AOc
(gL-1)

-1

(gL )

(gL )

-1

(gL )

4.2

0.025

0.1ff

-1

(gL )

Freshwater

Tissue Residue

Marine
-1

ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

Agri.f
(mgkg-1)

Res./Parkg
(mgkg-1)

Comm.h
(mgkg-1)

Industriali
(mgkg-1)

(gkg
diet ww)

170

486

130

700

6.6

6.6

24

50

see
Methylmercury

200ff

50
2.6

Methoxychlor
Methyl bromide [See Halogenated methanes,
Monobromomethane]
Methyl chloride [See Halogenated methanes,
Monochloromethane]
2-Methyl-4-chloro phenoxy acetic acid [See MCPA]
Methylene chloride [See Halogenated methanes,
Dichloromethane]

-1

Livestock

Chapter 8

25
3ff

900

33.0s

Methylmercury
2-Methylnaphthalene [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs)]
Metolachlor
Metribuzin

50 (IMAC)
80

Molybdenum
Molybdenum99

70 BqL

-1 k

7.8
1.0

28
0.5

50
80

73

1050ff

500ff

5y

10y

40y

40y

25150ff

200ff

1000ff

50

50

50

50

Monobromomethane [See Halogenated methanes]

Monochloramine [See Reactive chlorine species]
Monochlorobenzene [See Chlorinated benzenes]
Monochloroethene [See Chlorinated ethenes]
Monochloromethane [See Halogenated methanes]
Monochlorophenols [See Chlorinated phenols]
Naphthalene [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)]
Nickel
Niobium95
Nitrate
Nitrate + Nitrite
Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)
Nitrite
Nitrite + Nitrate [See Nitrate + Nitrite]
Nitrogen dioxide

-1 k

200 BqL
45 000

400
3200

Narrativeff

100 000ff

60ff

10 000ff

1 h: 4001000
24 h: 200300
1 a: 60100
Continued.

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines

SUMMARY
TABLE
Update 2002

Chapter 1

Air

Chapter 2

Water: Community

Chapter 3

Water:
Recreation and
aesthetics
Water: Aquatic life

Parameter
AOc
(gL-1)

-1

(gL )
1.0cc

Nonylphenol and its ethoxylates

NTA [See Nitrilotriacetic acid]
Nuisance organisms
Odour
Oil and grease

Particulate matter <10 m (PM <10)

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Water: Agriculture

Sediment

Soil

-1

(gL )
0.7cc

-1

(gL )

Livestock
-1

(gL )

Freshwater
ISQGd
(gkg-1)
1.4dd mgkg-1
dwee

PELe
(gkg-1)

Chapter 8
Tissue Residue

Marine
ISQGd
(gkg-1)
1.0dd mgkg-1
dwee

PELe
(gkg-1)

Agri.f
(mgkg-1)
5.7

Res./Parkg
(mgkg-1)
5.7

Comm.h
(mgkg-1)
14

Industriali
(mgkg-1)
14

-1

(gkg
diet ww)

Narrative
Inoffensive
Narrative

Organotins
Tributyltin
Tricyclohexyltin
Triphenyltin
Oxygen, dissolved

PAHs [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)]

Paraquat (as dichloride)
Parathion
Particulate matter <2.5 m (PM <2.5)

Chapter 5

Freshwater Marine Irrigation

1 h, 8 h or 24 h, 1 aa MAC, IMACb
(gm-3)
(gL-1)

Ozone

Chapter 4

See Canada wide Standard

0.008

0.001

0.022
55009500

>8000

250ff
250ff
820ff

1 h: 100300
24 h: 3050
1 a: 30
10 (IMAC)
50
1 h: no EQG j
24 h: 15
1 a: no EQG j
1 h: no EQG j
24 h: 25
1 a: no EQG j

Pathogens (aquatic)
PCBs [See Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)]
PCDD/Fs [See Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzo
furans
PCE [See Chlorinated ethenes, 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethene]
PCP [See Chlorinated phenols, Pentachlorophenol]

Narrative

Pentachlorobenzene [See Chlorinated benzenes]

Pentachlorophenol [See Chlorinated phenols]
PH

6.58.5n

5.09.0n

6.59.0n

7.08.7n

6 to 8y

6 to 8y

6 to 8y

6 to 8y

0.1y

1y

10y

10y

3.8

3.8

3.8

3.8

+narrative

Phenanthrene [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

(PAHs)]
Phenolic compounds, nonchlorinatedaa
Phenols
Phenoxy herbicides
Phorate

4.0
4ff

2
100ff

2
Continued.

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines

SUMMARY
TABLE
Update 2002

Chapter 1

Air

Chapter 2

Water: Community

Parameter

Chapter 4

Water:
Recreation and
aesthetics
Water: Aquatic life

Phthalic acid esters (each)

Phthalate esters
Di-n-butyl phthalate
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
Di-n-octyl phthalate

AOc
(gL-1)

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Water: Agriculture

Sediment

Soil

Livestock

Freshwater

Chapter 8
Tissue Residue

Marine
-1

ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

Agri.f
(mgkg-1)
30y

Res./Parkg
(mgkg-1)

Comm.h
(mgkg-1)

Industriali
(mgkg-1)

(gkg
diet ww)

34.1

277

21.5

189

0.5

1.3

33

33

60v

340v

63.3v

709v

mammalian:
0.79 ng
TEQkg-1 diet
wwt
avian: 2.4 ng
TEQkg-1 diet
wwu

0.85 ng
TEQ.kg-1
dws,w

21.5 ng
TEQ.kg-1
dws,w

0.85 ng
TEQ.kg-1
dws,w

21.5 ng
TEQ.kg-1
dws,w

4 ng
TEQ.kg-1

4 ng
TEQ.kg-1

4 ng
TEQ.kg-1

6.71
5.87

88.9
128

6.71
5.87

88.9
128

4.4
0.012
0.018
0.015

46.9
31.7
31.9

245
385
782

46.9
74.8
88.8

245
693
763

0.1y
0.1
0.1y
0.1y

1y
0.7
1y
1y

10y
0.7
10y
10y

10 y
0.7
10y
10y

862
135
2355
144

108
6.22
113
21.2

846
135
1494
144

0.1y

1y

10y

10y

0.04
3.0

57.1
6.22
111
21.2

0.1y

1y

10y

10y

0.1
0.1y
0.1y
0.1y

0.6
5y
10y

22
50y
100y

22
50y
100y

-1

(gL )

-1

(gL )

-1

(gL )

-1

(gL )

19
16

190 (IMAC)

190ff

29
No EQGj No EQGj

Aroclor 1254
No EQGj No EQGj

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzo furans

(PCDD/Fs)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Acenaphthene
Acenaphthylene
Acridine
Anthracene
Benzo(a)anthracene
Benzo(a)pyrene
Benzo(b)fluoranthene
Benzo(k)fluoranthene
Chrysene
Dibenz(a,h)anthracene
Fluoranthene
Fluorene
Indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene
2-Methylnaphthalene
Naphthalene
Phenanthrene
Pyrene
Quinoline

Chapter 5

Freshwater Marine Irrigation

1 h, 8 h or 24 h, 1 aa MAC, IMACb
(gm-3)
(gL-1)

Picloram
PM <2.5 [See Particulate matter <2.5 m]
PM <10 [See Particulate matter <10 m]
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Chapter 3

5.8

0.01

1.1
0.4
0.025
3.4

20.2
34.6
41.9
53.0

1.4

201
391
515
875

20.2
34.6
86.7
153

201
391
544
1398

mammalian:
4 ng
-1
TEQ.kg-1 0.71 ng TEQkg
s,t
diet ww
avian: 4.75 ng
TEQkg-1 diet
wws,u

Propylene glycol [See Glycols]

Pyrene [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)]
Continued.

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines

SUMMARY
TABLE
Update 2002

Chapter 1

Air

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Water: Community

Water:
Recreation and
aesthetics
Water: Aquatic life

Parameter

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Water: Agriculture

Sediment

Soil

Freshwater Marine Irrigation

1 h, 8 h or 24 h, 1 aa MAC, IMACb
(gm-3)
(gL-1)

Quinoline [See Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)]

Radium224
Radium226
Radium228
Reactive chlorine species (Hypochlorous acid and
monochloramine)
Chloramines

AOc
(gL-1)

-1

-1

(gL )

(gL )

0.5

0.5

-1

Livestock
-1

(gL )

(gL )

2050ff

50ff

0.5

10

PELe
(gkg-1)

Tissue Residue

Marine
ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

Agri.f
(mgkg-1)

Res./Parkg
(mgkg-1)

Comm.h
(mgkg-1)

Industriali
(mgkg-1)

1
20y

1
20y

3.9
40y

3.9
40y

5y

5y

12y

12y

0.1y

5y

50y

50y

500y

-1

(gkg
diet ww)

3000
100 BqL-1 k
10 BqL-1 k

Simazine
Sodium
Sodium adsorption ratio
Streambed substrate [See Total particulate matter]
Strontium90

10 (IMAC)

1.0ff
0.1ff

10

Narrative

10
200 000

5 BqL-1 k
72

ff

500 000
50

1 000 000

1 h: 450900
24 h: 150800
1 a: 3060

Sulphur (elemental)
Suspended particulates [See Total suspended particulates]
Suspended sediments [See Total particulate matter]
Taste
TCE [See Chlorinated ethenes, 1,1,2-Trichloroethene]
Tebuthiuron

Inoffensive
1.6
15C

Temperature
Terbufos
Tetrachlorobenzene [See Chlorinated benzenes]
Tetrachloroethane [See Chlorinated ethanes]
Tetrachloroethene [See Chlorinated ethenes]

Freshwater
ISQGd
(gkg-1)

Chapter 8

2 BqL-1 k
0.6 BqL-1 k
0.5 BqL-1 k

Ruthenium103
Ruthenium106
Salinity
Selenium
Silver

Styrene
Sulphate
Sulphide (asH2S)
Sulphur dioxide

Chapter 4

Narrative

0.27

130

Narrative Narrative

1 (IMAC)

Tetrachloroethylene [See Chlorinated ethenes,

1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethene]
Tetrachloromethane [See Halogenated methanes]
Tetrachlorophenols [See Chlorinated phenols]
Continued.

10

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines

SUMMARY
TABLE
Update 2002

Chapter 1

Air

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Water:
Recreation and
aesthetics
Water: Aquatic life

Water: Community

Parameter

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Water: Agriculture

Sediment

Soil

Freshwater Marine Irrigation

1 h, 8 h or 24 h, 1 aa MAC, IMACb
(gm-3)
(gL-1)

Thallium
Thiophene
Thorium228
Thorium230
Thorium232
Thorium234

AOc
(gL-1)

-1

(gL )
0.8

-1

(gL )

-1

(gL )

Livestock
-1

(gL )

Freshwater
ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

24
500 000

Total particulate matter

Deposited bedload sediment
Streambed substrate
Suspended sediments
Turbidity

1 NTU

1 h: no EQG j
24 h: 120400
1 a: 6070

5 NTU

2.0

215
500 000
3 500 000

Narrative

Narrative
Narrative
Narrative
Narrative

Tissue Residue

PELe
(gkg-1)

Agri.f
(mgkg-1)
1
0.1y

Res./Parkg
(mgkg-1)
1

Comm.h
(mgkg-1)
1

Industriali
(mgkg-1)
1

5y
0.1

50y
0.8

300y
0.8

300y
0.8

24
3 000 000

-1

(gkg
diet ww)

Narrative
Narrative
Narrative
Narrative

No EQG j No EQG j
0.24

Toxaphene
Triallate
Tribromomethane [See Halogenated methanes]

Chapter 8

Marine
ISQGd
(gkg-1)

2 BqL-1 k
0.4 BqL-1 k
0.1 BqL-1 k
20 BqL-1 k

Tin
Toluene
Total dissolved solids

Total petroleum hydrocarbons [See oil and grease]

Total suspended particulates

Chapter 4

No EQG j
230ff

0.1x

0.1x

6.3

Tributyltin [See Organotins]

Trichlorobenzene [See Chlorinated benzenes]
Trichloroethane [See Chlorinated ethanes]
Trichloroethene [See Chlorinated ethenes]
Trichloroethylene [See Chlorinated ethenes,
1,1,2-Trichloroethene]
Trichloromethane [See Halogenated methanes]
Trichlorophenol [See Chlorinated phenols]
Tricyclohexyltin [See Organotins]
Trifluralin
Trihalomethanes [See Halogenated methanes]
Triphenyltin [See Organotins]
Tritium
Turbidity [See Total particulate matter]
Uranium
Uranium234
Uranium235
Uranium238

45 (IMAC)

0.20

45

7000 BqL-1 k
10ff

20 (IMAC)
4 BqL-1 k
4 BqL-1 k
4 BqL-1 k

200ff

Continued.

11

Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines

SUMMARY
TABLE
Update 2002

Chapter 1

Air

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Water: Community

Water:
Recreation and
aesthetics
Water: Aquatic life

Parameter

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Water: Agriculture

Sediment

Soil

Freshwater Marine Irrigation

1 h, 8 h or 24 h, 1 aa MAC, IMACb
(gm-3)
(gL-1)

Vanadium
Vinyl chloride [See Chlorinated ethenes, Monochloroethene]
Waterborne pathogens
Xylene
Zinc
Zinc65
Zirconium95

Chapter 4

AOc
(gL-1)

-1

(gL )

-1

(gL )

-1

Livestock
-1

(gL )
100ff

(gL )
100ff

10005000ff

50 000ff

Freshwater

Chapter 8
Tissue Residue

Marine

ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

ISQGd
(gkg-1)

PELe
(gkg-1)

123 000

315 000

124 000

271 000

Agri.f
(mgkg-1)
130

Res./Parkg
(mgkg-1)
130

Comm.h
(mgkg-1)
130

Industriali
(mgkg-1)
130

0.1
200

1
200

17
360

20
360

-1

(gkg
diet ww)

Narrative
300
5000

30

40 BqL-1 k
100 BqL-1 k
Sediment quality guideline for Aroclor 1254: Provisional; 1% TOC; adoption of severe effect level of 34 gg-1 TOC from Ontario (Persaud et al. 1993).
Values are expressed as toxic equivalency (TEQ) units, based on WHO 1998 TEF values for fish.
x
Sediment quality guideline for Toxaphene: Provisional; 1% TOC; adoption of the chronic sediment quality criterion of 0.01 gg-1 TOC of the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC 1994).
y
This interim remediation criterion (CCME1991) was put in place prior to development of the soil protocol (CCME1996). The criterion should be used until superseded
by a full guideline. For more information consult Chapter 7:Soil, especially Table 1 Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines and Table 2 Historical record of interim
remediation criteria for soil and soil quality guidelines.
z
Hot water soluble boron.
aa
Guidelines are for each chemical and include:
2,4-dimethylphenol
2,4-dinitrophenol
2-methyl 4,6-dinitrophenol
nitrophenol (2-,4-)
cresol
bb
Aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbons include:
chloroform
dichloroethane (1,1- 1,2-), dichloroethene (1,1- 1,2-)
dichloromethane
1,2-dichloropropane, 1,2-dichloropropene (cis and trans)
1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, carbon tetrachloride
trichloroethane (1,1,1- 1,1,2-)
cc
Expressed on a TEQ basis using NP TEFs, see nonylphenol factsheet in Table 2.
dd
Provisional; use of equillibrium partitioning approach.
ee
Expressed on a TEQ basis using NP TEFs; assumes 1% TOC.
v

1 h, 8 h or 24 h, 1 a: 1-hour, 8-hour, or 24-hour, and 1-year averaging times. For hydrogen fluoride, a 7-day averaging time was used instead of annual averaging.
MAC: Maximum acceptable concentration. IMAC: Interim maximum acceptable concentration. The guideline listed is the MAC unless otherwise noted in parentheses.
c
AO: Aesthetic objective.
d
ISQG: Interim sediment quality guideline.
e
PEL: Probable effect level.
f
Agri.: Agricultural land uses.
g
Res./Park: Residential/Parkland uses.
h
Comm.: Commercial land uses.
iIndustrial: Industrial land uses.
j
No EQG: No environmental quality guideline is recommended; see environmental quality guidelines for other media where appropriate.
k
BqL-1: Becquerels per litre.
l
The tissue residue guideline is for total DDT, which is equal to DDD + DDE + DDT.
m
TCU: True colour units.
n
No units for pH.
o
The aquatic life guideline of 4.0 gL-1 for phenoxy herbicides is based on data for ester formulations of 2,4-dicholorophenoxyacetic acid.
p
NTU: Nephelometric turbidity units.
q
A health-based guideline for aluminium in drinking water has not been established. However, water treatment plants using aluminium-based coagulants should
optimize their operations to reduce residual aluminium levels in treated water to the lowest extent possible as a precautionary measure. Operational guidance values of
less than 100 gL-1 total aluminium for conventional treatment plants and less than 200 gL-1 total aluminium for other types of treatment systems are recommended.
Any attempt to minimize aluminium residuals must not compromise the effectiveness of disinfection processes or interfere with the removal of disinfection by-product
precursors.
r
Guideline modified / released: April 1999
s
Guideline modified / released: March 2001
t
Values are expressed as toxic equivalency (TEQ) units, based on WHO 1998 TEF values for mammals.
u
Values are expressed as toxic equivalency (TEQ) units, based on WHO 1998 TEF values for birds.

ff

12

No fact sheet created. For more information on this guideline, please refer to Canadian Water Quality Guidelines (CCREM 1987).