Federal government funding research on risks of microplastics

OTTAWA — Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced funding of $2.1 million over four years to three academic institutions to increase research of microplastics and their potential impact on human health through the Environmental Health Research Contribution Program.

McGill University, Memorial University of Newfoundland and the University of Toronto have been selected to undertake research related to the potential exposure to microplastics from various sources, including food, food packaging, drinking water, indoor and outdoor air, as well as dust. Collectively, these initiatives will improve the understanding of the potential impacts of microplastics on human health. The Government of Canada’s dedication to teamwork and research will play an important role in its efforts to understand how these materials affect our health and come up with ways to manage any associated risks.

The Environmental Health Research Contribution Program funds research to increase our knowledge of the health impacts of microplastics, improve monitoring of human exposure to microplastics, and encourage the development of new methods, approaches and technologies related to human health risks of microplastics. Research through this program aligns with the priorities of Canada’s Plastics Science Agenda and will fill knowledge gaps identified in the Government of Canada’s 2020 Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution.

“There is a lot we don’t know about the effect of microplastics on human health. That is why programs like this one were created – to support Canadian scientists in improving the understanding of the human health impacts of microplastics. These projects will not only expand our knowledge, but hopefully inspire more research and inform future actions to protect the health of Canadians,” Mark Holland, Minister of Health.