Nanosilver: What action needs to be taken to protect Canadians from this emerging contaminant?
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Nanosilver is an emerging nanomaterial that is widely known for its antimicrobial properties—it releases silver ions that are highly toxic to bacteria.
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Nanosilver use in consumer products (and its eventual release into the environment) is currently unregulated in Canada.
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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.
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