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Nanoparticle Additives in Consumer Products

4. Nanoparticle Additives in Consumer Products

Whereas:

  1. The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) has previously called for risk assessments before the release of nanomaterials into the marketplace (2011.05) and has a policy on additives in consumer products, such as azodicarbonate (2017.3), applying the precautionary principle for human health and safety.
  2. Nanoparticles (1-100 nm), smaller than a human hair, have been found in animal tissues, including the liver, heart, brain, digestive system, and immune system, raising health concerns.
  3. Titanium dioxide, a white colourant, is present in many food products (e.g., yogurt, mayonnaise, chewing gum, cakes, candies), as well as medicines and cosmetics.
  4. The European Union has called for further toxicology testing, while France committed to banning titanium dioxide nanoparticles in 2020.
  5. Canada updated labelling rules in 2016, but full implementation was delayed until 2021. However, titanium dioxide remains approved in Canada.

Resolved:

  1. NCWC adopts a policy that any additives with potential harmful effects on humans should be banned.
  2. NCWC urges the Government of Canada to investigate the health impact of nanoparticles in consumer products.
  3. NCWC urges the Government of Canada to review metal oxide additives, particularly titanium dioxide in food and food products, with the goal of banning them.
  4. NCWC urges the Government of Canada to ensure that independent stakeholders (e.g., organic farmers, scientists, biochemists, Indigenous representatives) conduct impact assessments of nanoparticles in human health, avoiding influence from agribusiness, pharmaceuticals, mining, energy, and petrochemical industries.