Nanosilver: What action needs to be taken to protect Canadians from this emerging contaminant?
-
Nanosilver is an emerging nanomaterial that is widely known for its antimicrobial properties—it releases silver ions that are highly toxic to bacteria.
-
Nanosilver use in consumer products (and its eventual release into the environment) is currently unregulated in Canada.
-
Canada needs to protect its environment and citizens by following the precautionary principle of regulating nanosilver and providing standards and guidelines for manufacturers and consumers alike.
Nanosilver is an emerging nanomaterial that is widely known for its antimicrobial properties—it releases silver ions that are highly toxic to bacteria.
While it is used in over 440 consumer products, research at IISD Experimental Lakes Area has discovered that nanosilver can have adverse effects on the health of freshwater fish—significant enough to warrant including it as part of Canada’s water safety guidelines for the metal.
In this policy brief, we explore what nanosilver is, why exactly you need to be worried about it, and what Canada should be doing to protect the country's fresh water from this currently unregulated substance.
Participating experts
You might also be interested in
Undergraduate student aids in study on environmental impact of pipelines
When asked about his interest in participating in an upcoming project in northwestern Ontario’s The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), Dr. Caleb Hasler not only leapt at the opportunity, but saw it as a chance to include an undergraduate student in important research into the environmental impacts of pipeline projects.
Rickford reflects on Ontario re-investing in Experimental Lakes Area
The IISD-Experimental Lakes Area just west of Kenora is relishing following a $9.5 million provincial investment made last week. The funds will go towards supporting much-needed vital research and having secure and stable funding to help the ELA become more financially self-sufficient.
Ontario Invests in Experimental Lakes
"The Experimental Lakes Area is the world’s most important freshwater research facility," said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. "The area is a living laboratory for critical research and scientific study that sustains healthy ecosystems for future generations. Our government is proud to invest in facilities such as these so that we can expand understanding of the critical changes in ecology over time, and continue our work building Ontario."
New study on mercury contamination in fish
Fisheries and Oceans Canada research scientist Paul Blanchfield and his team used one of the lakes at northwestern Ontario’s International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) to conduct the study.