分类目录归档:合作交流

Prof Habib appointed member of UN Independent Scientific Panel on effects of nuclear war

On 17 July, Professor MD Ahsan Habib received an official letter issued  by the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres (安东尼奥⋅古特雷斯), appointing him selected member of the  UN Independent Scientific Panel on effects of nuclear war, which includes 21 members in total. Habib was selected both as a senior professor in Dhaka University and a fellow of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Huge honor and great task, congratulations to Professor Habib!

The independent scientific panel of experts is tasked with examining the physical effects and societal consequences of a nuclear war on a local, regional and planetary scale in the days, weeks and decades following a nuclear war.

The panel was established pursuant to General Assembly resolution 79/238, titled “Nuclear War Effects and Scientific Research”, and is mandated to examine “the physical effects and societal consequences” of a nuclear war “on a local, regional and planetary scale, including, inter alia, the climatic, environmental and radiological effects, and their impacts on public health, global socioeconomic systems, agriculture and ecosystems, in the days, weeks and decades following a nuclear war”.

The panel consists of 21 members drawn from a range of scientific fields, including:  nuclear and radiation studies; atmospheric sciences and climate; environment and environmental studies; agriculture, biology and life sciences; public health and medicine; and behavioural and social sciences and applied economics.

Click for more info: https://press.un.org/en/2025/dc3900.doc.htm

 

Seminar of ANSO MORATOXA Projet for indoor dust collection strategy

On October 17th 2024, the online seminar of “Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Toxic Chemicals in the Air (MORATOXA)” program supported by ANSO was successfully held online. About eight experts and students attended this seminar, including Dr. Zhao Shizhen from GIGCAS, four students from GIGCAS (William, Kun, Yuwei and Weiru) Dr. Simion Bartilol from the University of Nairobi in Kenya, and two students from the University of Nairobi, to discuss on indoor dust collection strategies.  This seminar was chaired by Dr. Shizhen Zhao.

After Dr. Shizhen and Dr. Simion introducing the participants, they discussed about the difficulties in indoor dust sampling. In order to better support the sampling, Weiru shared the review of collected samples, the basic requirements of household dust sampling and three strategies of dust collection. After discussion, we clarified the follow-up sampling details, and determined the supplies we could provide. This online meeting will lead to further progress in the project.

Group photo of participants

Dr. Roland Weber visits the group

On Aug 27th, Dr. Roland Weber, independent environmental  consultant for UN Organisations, gave a speech on three continuous topics of “1. International Conventions Relevant for Controlling PFASs and Related Monitoring; 2. PFAS contaminated sites -selected case studies regulatory actions and some lessons learned; 3.Some lessons learned from disposal of low volatile POPs waste and related contaminated sites and risks.”

The lecture mainly focused on the development history of the international conventions on fluorinated compounds and case studies of POPs-contaminated sites. Dr. Roland detailly introduced the production and use process of halogenated compounds (including PFAS, chlorinated compounds and bromine compounds) and recalled the experience and lessons of member states in the process of implementing international conventions. He also proposed more human-health-oriented  (specifically food safety) regulations should be implemented. In the evening, we had a fancy and authentic dinner together and spent a wonderful evening on the Pearl River. Professor Habib came back from Shanghai and joined the events in the afternoon and evening.

On September 28, three of us (Teacher Ma, Lele and He Kun) gave talks showing the recent progress of their work, and the AirOmics Squad members communicated with Roland on a bundle of topics related to POPs. Roland gave very helpful professional comments and advices. In the afternoon, Gan guided Roland and William to visit the Chan Clan’s Academy (陈家祠), and, after Shizhen’s joining in the evening, they climbed up to the top of Guangzhou Tower and enjoyed the splendid night view of Guangzhou.

On September 29, Roland, Shizhen, and Lele flew to Singapore together, to attend the 2024 Dioxin Meeting there.