TISED Newsletter 

Nanomaterials: Implications for human and environmental health

Overview

On January 27th and 28th, 2016, co-hosted by the Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering and Design (TISED) and the Brace Centre for Water Management at McGill University and Pollution Probe, one of Canada’s leading human health-focused environmental research and policy groups, this two-day event convened academia, industry, government and civil society in a process of knowledge-sharing and needs assessment. The purpose of this convening was to educate and build capacity among pivotal groups on the subject of nanomaterials in the context of human health, and to catalyze critical movement towards cooperative action on identified priorities (e.g., research, international collaboration, regulation, public education).

Stakeholders representing over 35 national and international organizations attended at the conference, reflecting a widely-felt need for a national dialogue on nanotechnology in the context of human and environmental health. 

Recognized experts from around the world presented their leading-edge insights into the state of nanomaterials science and innovation, market applications and potential for toxicological effects. The E.U. and U.S. experiences with regulatory frameworks for assessing and managing nanomaterials was also presented, in the context of informing policy development in Canada. Guest panelists and session facilitators supported a collaborative exploration of key issues and needs, inclusive of legal, ethical and philosophical perspectives. The success of this consultation was the emergence of an informal working group that is dedicated to promoting the safe and beneficial development and use of nanomaterials in Canada. A report was released following the consultation that synthesizes the exchange of ideas and perspectives through a policy lens, providing guidance and identifying opportunities for those engaged in the evolving nanomaterials sector to coordinate and partner on future action.

Speakers

Some of the experts involved in the workshop:

Alistair Boxall, Professor,
Environment Department,
University of York

Frank von der Kammer, Senior Scientist & Lecturer, Department for Environmental Geosciences, University of Vienna

 

Gregory V. Lowry, Walter J. Blenko Senior Professor,
Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Deputy Director,
Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology (CEINT)

Mark Wiesner, James L. Meriam Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering,
Duke University, Director, Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology (CEINT)

Confirmed and invited organizations and speakers also include:

  • Health Canada and Environment Canada
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
  • Canadian Standards Association

and others!

Video Presentations

Watch the presentations given by renowned nano experts during the research workshop!

"Nanomaterials in consumer products", Dr. Elizabeth Nielsen, CSA Consumer Representative | Consumer Council of Canada

"Opportunities and challenges of nanotechnology in food", Dr. John Dutcher, Professor | University of Guelph

"Nanomedicine today: the medicine of tomorrow", Dr. Lajos Balogh, Chief Scientific Advisor and Principal | AA Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology

"Nanomaterials in environmental service", Dr. Mark Wiesner, Professor, Director of Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology | Duke University

"How important is environmental exposure for ENP risks to humans?", Dr. Alistair Boxall, Professor | University of York, U.K. 

Reference Library

Articles

Reports

Documents

Website

 

 

 

 

 

                                                 

This workshop is also supported by the Brace Centre for Water Resources Management

 

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