4. NANOPARTICLE ADDITIVES IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Whereas 1
The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) has called for a risk assessment prior to a “nanomaterial release into the marketplace” in 2011.05, and has policy on additives to consumer products, such as azodicarbonate in 2017.3, and has used the precautionary principle with respect to human health and safety; and
Whereas 2
Nanoparticles are smaller than a human hair (1–100 nm) and metal oxides have been shown in animal studies to be present in tissue such as the liver, heart, brain, and outside the digestive system, as well as immune system effects; and
Whereas 3
The additive titanium dioxide is used as a colorant (white) in many food products such as yogurt, mayonnaise, chewing gum, cakes and candies, as well as medicines and cosmetics; and
Whereas 4
The European Union is looking for more toxicology testing, and France in particular has indicated that it will ban the use of nanoparticles of titanium dioxide in 2020; and
Whereas 5
Canada has updated its labeling rules in 2016, but these do not have full effect until 2021, when added colors must be named, and Canada still permits titanium dioxide as an approved additive; therefore be it
Resolved 1
That the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) adopt as policy that additives to consumer products that show potential harmful effects for humans be banned; and be it further
Resolved 2
That NCWC urge the Government of Canada to investigate to what extent nanoparticles in consumer products affect human health; and be it further
Resolved 3
That NCWC further urge the Government of Canada to review the addition of metal oxides especially titanium dioxide in food and food products with a view to a ban; and
Resolved 4
That NCWC further urge the Government of Canada, in order to ensure the public interest is served, to use independent stakeholders, such as organic farmers, scientists, biochemists, Indigenous people who have maintained an arms-length distance from agribusiness, pharmaceutical, mining, energy, and petrochemical industries, to assess the impact of nanoparticles on human health.