Chemicals in the environment: the RSC Romanowski Lecture at UOIT

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology will welcome Dr. John Giesy to campus on Wednesday, September 17 to present the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) Romanowski Lecture Series in Environmental Science Solutions.

Dr. Giesy is Professor and Canada Research Chair in Environmental Toxicology at the University of Saskatchewan. In his lecture, entitled Toxicological Evaluation of Perfluorooctane (PFOS) in the Environment: Anatomy of an Environmental Issue, he will tell the scientific and political story of how PFOS, a very valuable chemical (once the key ingredient in fabric protectors and stain repellents) was ultimately banned.  He will explain how he discovered these toxic chemicals in the environment, and then developed the science and policy that eventually led to them being placed on Appendix B of the Stockholm Protocol for virtual elimination, as well as the banning of 87 chemicals in Canada. 

Dr. Giesy is a Fellow of the RSC and a 2013 recipient of the Miroslaw Romanowski Medal, which is awarded each year for significant contributions to the resolution of scientific aspects of environmental problems or for important improvements to the quality of an ecosystem in all aspects - terrestrial, atmospheric and aqueous - brought about by scientific means.

The Romanowski Lecture Series is delivered annually by the recipient of the Miroslaw Romanowski Medal. The series informs Canadians of recent advances in research and technology in the environmental sciences based on the lecturer’s particular knowledge and expertise.

When:

Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Reception - 4:30 p.m., Science Building,West Atrium
Lecture - 5:15 p.m., Science Building, Room 1140

RSVP:  By Wednesday, September 10, to rsvp@uoit.ca or 905.721.8668 ext. 6729.

The lecture can also be viewed by a live webcast for those unable to attend the event.