
Scientific meeting on microplastics and nanomaterials
The “scientific meeting on microplastics and nanomaterials”, organized online by ANSES and ANR, presented an overview of the research funded by these agencies regarding health and environmental aspects. The sources of exposure to these particles, the monitoring of their presence in the environment and their consequences on ecosystems and human health were discussed. At the end of the day, a panel of experts discussed “Micro/nano: between futility and utility”.
Among the 1300 registered participants, AVICENN intervened to recall that fifteen years ago, the questions mentioned during the symposium were already being asked. In 2021, a few million euros later, we still face the same difficulties in assessing human and environmental exposure to nanotechnology.
The knowledge presented by the researchers, although very rich and essential, still shows many uncertainties. Yet, more than 400,000 tons of nanomaterials (at least) are produced and imported every year in France alone. Apart from E171, there are few restrictions on nanomaterials (rarely respected), the “no data, no market” principle is not applied. Will the PNSE 4 increase transparency and vigilance on nanomaterials?
Recordings of the presentations are available on the conference website.
Our information sheets to go further
Upcoming Nano Agenda

- E-learning program: awareness-raising for personnel who come into contact with nanomaterials during research, formulation, production, maintenance, cleaning, upkeep, etc., as well as safety coordinators or engineers, facility managers, heads of laboratories where nanoparticles are handled.
- Organizers: INSTN Grenoble (CEA)
- On the program:
- 1 – Introduction, definition and characteristics of nanomaterials
- 2 – Toxicity of nanomaterials: the state of knowledge
- 3 – Metrology and characterization of nanomaterials
- 4 – Prevention and protection against nanomaterials in the workplace
- 5 – Quiz: assessment of learning outcomes
- The 2-hour course can be viewed for one month from the date of registration.
- Website: https://instn.cea.fr/…risques-lies-aux-nanomateriaux…

- Scientific conference
- 23rd International conference on Advanced Nanomaterials
- From July 23 to July 25, 2025
- Website: www.advanced-nanomaterials-conference.com

- E-learning program: awareness-raising for personnel who come into contact with nanomaterials during research, formulation, production, maintenance, cleaning, upkeep, etc., as well as safety coordinators or engineers, facility managers, heads of laboratories where nanoparticles are handled.
- Organizers: INSTN Grenoble (CEA)
- On the program:
- 1 – Introduction, definition and characteristics of nanomaterials
- 2 – Toxicity of nanomaterials: the state of knowledge
- 3 – Metrology and characterization of nanomaterials
- 4 – Prevention and protection against nanomaterials in the workplace
- 5 – Quiz: assessment of learning outcomes
- The 2-hour course can be viewed for one month from the date of registration.
- Website: https://instn.cea.fr/…risques-lies-aux-nanomateriaux…