International experts will present results of recent research illustrating the impacts of lead exposure on the health of young children, concentrations of lead in drinking water and control solutions being implemented by municipalities. In addition, the results of a recent study on residential sources of lead exposure in children age 1 to 5, conducted in Montréal-area households, will be presented during the event.

Issues to be examined at the workshop include:

• Should levels of exposure to lead currently considered as safe be called into question?
• Should standards on lead in drinking water be reviewed?
• Are existing lead-control strategies effective?
• What are the most recent advances in monitoring and detection of lead in drinking water?
• What is the true impact of residential sources of lead on blood lead levels
• Can cost-effective solutions be implemented in Canadian municipalities?

Keynote speakers will include:

• Dr. Michèle Prévost, Professor of Civil Engineering, Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, and Holder of the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Drinking-Water Treatment and Distribution. Dr. Prévost is the principal investigator for the CWN initiative "Developing a comprehensive strategy to reduce lead at the tap in Canada."
  
• Dr. Patrick Levallois, Physician, Professor of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Université Laval, and Chair and Scientific Adviser, Institut national de santé publique du Québec.
  
• Dr. Bruce Lanphear, Senior Scientist, Child & Family Institute, BC Children's Hospital, and Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University. Dr. Lanphear is an authority on children's environmental health.
  
• Dr. Marc Edwards, Charles Lunsford Professor of Civil Engineering, Virginia Tech. In 2004, Time magazine dubbed Dr. Edwards "The Plumbing Professor" and listed him among the world's four most important innovators in water.

For the complete workshop program and information on the speakers, visit: http://www.cwn-rce.ca/news-and-events/lead-in-drinking-water-workshop/.

The presentations will be in English. Press cards will be requested at registration.

Datebook

WHAT Workshop on Lead in Drinking Water: Health Impacts, Monitoring & Control

WHEN June 8-9, 2011

WHERE Polytechnique Montréal
Bell Amphithéâtre C-631, 6th floor, Polytechnique Main Building,
Université de Montréal Campus
(enter via 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit)
Métro station: Université-de-Montréal
Outdoor parking available behind the Polytechnique Main Building
Campus map:
http://www.polymtl.ca/rensgen/coordonnees/campus.php

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Source: Annie Touchette
Communications and Recruiting Office
Polytechnique Montréal
514 340-4711, ext. 4915 or 514 231-8133

Information Andrée Peltier, apeltier@ca.inter.net
for media: Relations publiques Andrée Peltier
514 846-0003 or 514 944-8689