OTTAWA — The Senate environment committee says successive federal governments have not done enough to protect Canadians from toxic chemicals in household products.

The committee assessed federal protections against two harmful substances -- mercury and perfluorinated chemicals, or PFCs, which are found in stain repellents and non-stick chemicals.

It found that Ottawa has lacked will to toughen the Canadian Environmental Protection Act in order to safeguard Canadians from toxic substances.

One of the committee's two dozen recommendations was for Ottawa to set up a national program to monitor the health of Canadians, with the information to be made publicly available.

Toxic chemicals were found in four federal politicians last year after they volunteered to have their blood tested.

Former environment minister Rona Ambrose, Health Minister Tony Clement, NDP Leader Jack Layton, and Liberal environment critic John Godfrey all carried a cocktail of unsavoury substances.