Perform a study to gather use pattern information on lead sinkers and jigs and their non-lead alternatives in Canada.

Background

Lead is a naturally-occurring element found in rock and soil, yet widespread anthropogenic use has resulted in its ubiquitous presence in the environment. Lead is found in all environmental media in Canada, as well as in food and drinking water and is associated with risks to human health and the environment. Its health risks include developmental neurotoxicity, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, renal and reproductive effects. Additionally, known environmental hazards include toxicity to birds, fish and crustaceans, benthic invertebrates, plants and earthworms. Lead is currently subject to numerous federal, provincial and industry risk management initiatives directed toward products such as cosmetics, natural health and therapeutic products, drinking water, food, and tobacco. These initiatives are also directed at environmental media such as house dust, soil and air.

A State of the Science report published in 2013 by Health Canada indicated that there are no safe blood lead levels (BLLs) for neurotoxicity. In addition, lead levels are still widely detected in the Canadian population despite the decline of over 70% of BLLs due to domestic and international initiatives since the 1970s. A Risk Management Strategy for Lead (the Strategy) was consequently published in 2013 to scope out current and additional Government of Canada actions to further reduce Canadians’ exposure to lead. The Strategy contains clear objectives, performance expectations, and timelines. Amongst the objectives, Environment and Climate Change Canada committed to addressing lead releases from certain consumer products (i.e., wheel weights, ammunition, jigs/sinkers and construction sheeting).

Lead fishing sinkers and jigs are known to have a detrimental effect on wildlife in Canada. For example, about 20-30% of loon mortalities in Eastern Canada in the early 1990s resulted from the ingestion of lead sinkers and jigs. In 1997, restrictions were placed on their use in National Wildlife Areas and National Parks under the Canada Wildlife Act and the National Parks Act, respectively. These two statutes are estimated to affect about 50 000 anglers and are expected to have reduced the use of lead fishing sinkers and jigs by about 4-5 tonnes annually.

Under the Strategy, the Department made a commitment to encourage the use of alternatives, which are already available at major retailers in Canada. However, fulfilling this commitment will require gaining access to recent data, including that on Canadian market penetration, costs and environmental impacts of alternatives and initiatives from other jurisdictions.

OBJECTIVES

The study completed by the Contractor must achieve the following:

1. Provide a profile of the Canadian lead sinkers and jigs supply chain

2. Identify and describe existing lead sinkers and jigs products found on the Canadian market and their non-lead alternatives

3. Conduct a lifecycle analysis of lead used in sinkers and jigs in the Canadian market and provide projections for future trends

4. Provide a comprehensive review of existing measures and management practices that promote the use of alternatives to lead sinkers and jigs in Canada, the U.S. and other OECD countries. Analyse the pros and cons of the findings in a Canadian context.

Travel

One trip to Gatineau (Quebec) is required in order to present the results of the study.

The request for travel must be made to the Department Representative prior to the trip, and must be pre-approved in writing.

SCOPE of work

In order to assist Environment and Climate Change Canada in updating data on the uses and releases of lead sinkers and jigs and their non-lead alternatives, the Contractor must complete all tasks described below and provide the results and outcomes of this research to the Departmental Representative in the form of a written report and via an oral presentation.

This list of tasks is comprehensive, but may not necessarily be exhaustive. The Contractor is encouraged and expected to provide any additional information discovered during the contract period that is deemed relevant in fulfilling the objectives of this contract.

All the economic information must be provided in Canadian dollars. When monetary estimates are not available in Canadian dollars, foreign currency estimates must be converted and presented in Canadian dollars accompanied by an explanation of the exchange rates used.

All assumptions or extrapolations made by the Contractor must be supported by literature (e.g. scientific, academic, industry, or government reports). If no literary evidence is available, the Contractor must verify their assumptions or extrapolations with two (2) industry experts in the appropriate field and provide their contact information with transcripts of the correspondences. Also, the Contractor must explain how all the assumptions or extrapolations apply to the Canadian context.

The use of Canadian data should be prioritized over those from foreign sources. If no Canadian information is available, priority should be given to data sources from the U.S. and other OECD countries. When neither Canadian nor data from the aforementioned countries are available, the Contractor must ensure that the information sources used are approved by the Departmental Representative and must provide a list of references. An explanation of the relevance of the foreign data with respect to the Canadian market must be provided.

Task 1 – Profile of the Canadian sinkers and jigs supply chain

Develop a profile of the Canadian lead and non-lead sinkers and jigs supply chain. This must include:

• Manufacturers’ profile (e.g., revenue, number of establishments by company size, distribution by province, type of sinkers and jigs products and quantities manufactured);

• Importers’ profile (e.g., revenue, number of establishments by company size and distribution by province, type of sinkers and jigs products and quantities imported);

• Retailers’ profile (e.g., revenue, number of employees, number of establishments by company size and distribution by province)

• Non-traditional distributions such as online store fronts (e.g. shop names, locations by region, country of origin if outside Canada, and product availability)

• Profile of key associations/interest groups which represent sinkers and jigs manufacturers, importers, retailers and users. This profile must include group names, purpose, mission, number of members and contact information.

Task 2 – Review of lead and non-lead sinkers and jigs products in Canada

Identify and describe existing lead sinkers and jigs products found in the Canadian market and their non-lead alternatives including:

• A description of all sinkers and jigs products in the Canadian market including their size, type, and composition.

• A comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of each product type for lead vs non-lead sinkers and jigs (e.g. economic advantage, effectiveness, environmental safety)

• Details on the market share of lead vs. non-lead sinkers and jigs products. Information from the past five (5) years (e.g. market trends, demand, product costs) must be described. Projections for the next ten (10) years must be determined with knowledge, market intelligence and predictions of the market (e.g. sales data, stakeholder statements, anticipated growth, penetration into the market, upcoming regulations, and changes in user behaviours).

Task 3 – Lifecycle analysis of lead used in sinkers and jigs in Canada

Develop lifecycle analysis for lead used in sinkers and jigs which much include, but is not limited to the following:

• Amount of lead used to manufacture sinkers and jigs annually

• Amount of lead imported for sinkers and jigs annually and the countries of origin

• Amount of lead exported for sinkers and jigs annually

• Amount of lead sold and distributed for sinkers and jigs by manufacturers and retailers annually

• Estimated amount of lead released or lost into the environment annually

• Estimated amount of lead recycled annually and the methods used for recycling

The amount of lead used and released should be estimated (in kilograms) annually over the last five (5) years and forecasted over the next ten (10) years. Projections must be determined with knowledge, market intelligence, and predictions of the market (e.g. trends, stakeholder statements, anticipated growth, upcoming regulations, and changes in user behaviours)

Task 4 - Comprehensive review of existing control measures, management practices, and promotional material for lead alternatives for sinkers and jigs

Develop a comprehensive review comprised of the following:

• A review of existing measures (voluntary and non-voluntary) and management practices that promote the use of alternatives to lead sinkers and jigs in Canada, the U.S. and other OECD countries.

  • Under the promotion of alternatives, determine which type of material is most commonly used (e.g. flyers, advertisement, newsletters, posters, websites or others)

• A review of disposal methods, collection methods, and practices for users of lead sinkers and jigs (e.g. government initiatives, association and group policies or practices) in Canada, the U.S. and other OECD countries.

For each measure identified above, list the pros and cons and determine how the material can be applied in a Canada-wide context.