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, |
Frank von der Kammer, Senior Scientist & Lecturer, Department for Environmental Geosciences, University of Vienna |
Gregory V. Lowry, Walter J. Blenko Senior Professor, |
Mark Wiesner, James L. Meriam Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, |
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!
Event Agenda
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
- Bradley, Ryan. “The Great Big Question About Nanomaterials.” Fortune Magazine, 6 March 2015.
- Fischman, Josh. “Small Wonders: Nanomedicine is inventing new ways to fight cancer, heal wounds and pilot drugs into cells.” Scientific American, April 2015.
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. “Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials.” Environment, Health & Safety News, March 2015, 5-8.
Reports
- Canadian Council of Academies Expert Panel on Nanotechnology. Small Is Different: A Science Perspective on the Regulatory Challenges of the Nanoscale, September 2008.
- European Commission. EUR-24473 – A Decade of EU-Funded GMO Research (2001-2010). Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2010.
- Ostiguy, Claude, Brigitte Soucy, Gilles Lapointe, Catherine Woods, Luc Ménard and Mylène Trottier. Chemical Substances and Biological Agents: Studies and Research Projects: Report R-589: Health Effects of Nanoparticles. 2nd ed. Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail, 2008.
- Stilgoe, Jack. The Nanodialogues: Experiments in Public Engagement with Science. London: Demos, 2007.
Documents
- Canadian Environmental Law Association and Chemical Sensitivities Manitoba to Environment Canada and Health Canada. 16 July 2013. Response to Consultation on RCC Nanotechnology Policy Principles for Decision-Making Concerning Regulation and Oversight of Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials.
- Environment Canada and Health Canada. Consultation Document: Proposed Approach to Address Nanoscale Forms of Substances on the Domestic Substances List, February 2015.
Website
This workshop is also supported by the Brace Centre for Water Resources Management