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.
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Upcoming Nano Agenda
- International Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology and Nano Materials
- September 22 & 23, 2025
- Website: https://advnanotech.authorsequity.org
- 15th Meeting on Nanoscience Advances (MNA 2025)
- Organized by: C’Nano (CNRS), Aix-Marseille University
- Dates: from September 29th to October 2nd
- Website: https://cnano-paca.fr/conf/mna2025/index.html
- Training for nanomaterial handlers (technicians, engineers, PhD students, researchers, etc.) and prevention assistants
- Organizers: CNRS
- Objectives: learn about the risks involved in handling nanomaterials and the prevention and protection measures to be implemented, as well as best practices for limiting exposure.
- Topics covered:
- Health effects / Risk assessment
- Preventive measures / Good laboratory practice / Time and space management / Collective and individual protection / Cleaning methods for surfaces, materials and equipment / Product storage / Product management
- Hands-on workshops:
- Implementing best practices when handling nanometric powders / Case studies / Assessment & recommendations
- Case studies: risk analysis and recommendations
- Examples of workstation design involving nanomaterials
- Website: https://formation.ifsem.cnrs.fr/training/1027/4426