I do not want to monopolize the discussion, but I can give you a few opinions on the matter. I would also like to add a few details regarding the previous question, namely the success of nanotechnologies.
To date, we have promised a lot of benefits to consumers. True, when it comes to environmental protection, the fight against climate change, medical care and health care, nanotechnologies are very promising. They are presented to consumers as an asset providing a multitude of benefits, but for the time being, they have not revolutionized very much. An umbrella that does not get wet or nanotechnology underwear or socks that do not smell do not a revolution make. We must ask ourselves the following question: do the risks make them worthwhile, given the tiny benefit they represent, for the time being? I would simply like to share this thought with you.
As for the member's questions, if we consider the number of products currently on the market, we can observe that cosmetics are truly the products containing the most significant number of nanoparticles. Out of all of the consumer products on the market, cosmetics contain the highest percentage of nanoparticles. The United States is preparing an inventory on the number of particles contained in consumer products. Clearly, as far as this issue is concerned, cosmetics exceed all of the other products. If there is one sector where we need to start regulating, it is definitely cosmetics. Moreover, that is why the European Union recently adopted regulations.
As for requirements in the future, we first of all have to know which nanoparticles are contained in given products. We cannot adopt or enforce regulations if we do not know which products contain them. However, at present, we have absolutely no idea, and at times, the companies themselves do not know which nanoparticles are contained in certain consumer products.
In my opinion, the first thing that we need to do is to establish a mandatory notification system whereby producers would be compelled to inform governments that they were using nanotechnologies. The European Union will have such a system for cosmetics. An attempt was made to implement such a system in Great Britain, but this was a voluntary system. It did not work. It was eliminated after two years because few producers complied and informed the administration. In Canada, an announcement was made that such a system was going to be established. I hope that this continues.
The workers are the first to be exposed. Mr. Ostiguy is perhaps in a better position to answer this question.