The Toxicology Forum & Regulatory Governance Initiative
Nanoparticles: Tools for Toxicology
May 1-3, 2011
Regulators are presently working to assess the scientific evidence available on nanoparticles with
the aim of determining risk to human health and the environment. At the same time these
materials are being manufactured in increasing quantities and are being incorporated in ever
more consumer products and medical devices and presumably discarded after their useful
properties are exhausted.
In recent years, there have been efforts by both governments and industry to harmonize
regulatory processes between Canada and the United States of America. This offers a potentially
rewarding course of action as the scientific knowledge and procedures are at an early stage of
development and, as a consequence, both countries have considerable flexibility to align their
practices while taking into account their unique circumstances.
Agenda: Nanoparticles: Tools for Toxicology
Mycotoxins – Unavoidable Natural Contaminants in Staple Crops: Public Health and International Trade
September 18-19, 2013
In Ottawa, presentations from grain millers, food companies, value chain
managers and farmers suggested the need for better and more effective consultation on the
regulation of mycotoxins because of their ever increasing economic, social and environmental
importance.
In the 2012 crop year, aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination was a problem in US corn but
highly variable even within counties. For the first time fumonsin was present in material
concentrations in Ontario corn. The number of analyses being required for food has increased
year over year placing stress on management of the supply chain. Regulations in Europe,
particularly of aflatoxin and ochratoxin A are affecting the North American marketplace.
This meeting will discuss the best available science in conjunction with an examination of risks and benefits of current strategies for managing mycotoxins.
Background Paper: Mycotoxins in Canada (Miller 2013)