Rating: NNNNN
Harmful chemicals for which there are no standards in Ontario
BERYLLIUM What it is: Toxic metal discharged from metal refineries and coal-burning factories, as well as electrical, aerospace and defense industries.
U.S. standard: .004 mg/L
Our standard: We have none.
TOXAPHENE What it is: Insecticide used on cotton and cattle.
U.S. standard: .003 mg/L
Our standard: We have none.
DICHLOROPROPANE What it is: Highly toxic chemical discharged from chemical factories.
U.S. standard: .003 mg/L
Our standard: We have none.
HEXACHLOROBENZENE What it is: Discharge from metal refineries and agricultural chemical factories.
U.S. standard: .001 mg/L
Our standard: We have none.
THALLIUM What it is: Metal linked to hair loss, changes in blood and liver chemistry.
U.S. standard: .002 mg/L
Our standard: We have none.
CHLORITE What it is: By-product formed during water disinfection process.
U.S. standard: 1.0 mg/L
Our standard: We have none. Hazardous chemicals for which maximum allowable levels are significantly higher here than the U.S.
PCBs What it is: Chemical linked to immune deficiencies.
U.S. standard: .0005 mg/L
Our standard: .003 mg/L
CARBOFURAN What it is: Pesticide used to control root maggots, linked to blood and nervous system problems.
U.S. standard: .04 mg/L
Our standard: .09 mg/L
SIMAZINE What it is: Among the least soluble of herbicides, easily leeches into ground water and remains there for years.
U.S. standard: .004 mg/L
Our standard: .01 mg/L
DICHLOROETHYLENE What it is: Discharge from chemical factories.
U.S. standard: .007 mg/L
Our standard: .014 mg/L
DIQUAT What it is: Herbicide linked to cataracts.
U.S. standard: .02 mg/L
Our standard: .07 mg/L
2,4-D What it is: Herbicide commonly applied to cereal crops and lawns.
U.S. standard: .07 mg/L
Our standard: 0.1 mg/L
LINDANE What it is: Insecticide used on cattle, lumber and gardens and in pharmaceutical preparations for human lice and mite shampoos.
U.S. standard: .0002 mg/L
Our standard: .004 mg/L
PENTACHLOROPHENOL What it is: Pesticide used in wood preservatives.
U.S. standard: .001 mg/L
Our standard: .06 mg/L
TRICHLOROETHYLENE/ TETRACHLOROETHYLENE What it is: Chemical used in metal cleaning, degreasing and dry cleaning operations.
U.S. standard: .005 mg/L
Our standard: .05 mg/L
ATRAZINE What it is: Herbicide used in farming.
U.S. standard: .003 mg/L
Our standard: .005 mg/L
With research by Vanessa Fischer
