Research

Research areas

The NOHEIC mobilizes and advances knowledge regarding environmental and health issues associated with smelters. Rooted in a sustainable health approach, the observatory fosters synergies within the research ecosystem, supports evidence-based decision-making, and promotes the adoption of sustainable practices in the socio-ecological transition1. To fulfill this mission, the NOHEIC relies on four main research areas, from which priorities for calls for projects are established.

These framework guidelines, validated by ONICSE's Scientific Council, aim to reconcile the elements set out in the agreement that led to the founding of ONICSE with the needs expressed by the public and the research community.

A: Research Data and Documentation

Facilitate access to research data necessary for studying the impacts of contaminant emissions on health and the environment.

  1. Support the development of data lakes or warehouses aligned with existing initiatives to advance research on the impacts of contaminant emissions on health and the environment;
  2. Facilitate access to research data that are easy to find, accessible, interoperable, and reusable;
  3. Promote the dissemination, understanding, and use of research data, including those related to artificial intelligence.

B: Sustainable health and its determinants

Support the full potential and physical, mental, psychological, and social well-being of current and future generations.

  1. Support the development of knowledge related to contaminant monitoring, characterization, and measurement instruments;
  2. Expand knowledge of the exposome2 and develop indicators to anticipate and prevent deleterious effects;
  3. Assess the impacts of contaminant emissions on human, animal, and environmental health.

C: Society, citizen participation, and regulation

Identify social innovations that serve the sustainable health of communities.

  1. Support citizen science, as well as practices of prevention, management, and remediation of contaminants;
  2. Promote research on the social impacts and externalities of public policies related to contaminant emissions;
  3. Accelerate the development of sustainable health approaches and participatory governance to enhance population health.

D: Innovations in Practices and Industrial Processes

Document sustainable business models that contribute to the socio-ecological transition.

  1. Support practices that improve risk prevention related to occupational diseases and protect workers' health;
  2. Identify improvements in industrial processes that favor the socio-ecological transition from a sustainable development perspective;
  3. Promote research on industrial emissions and the circular economy.

Footnotes

1. « Passage à un modèle économique et social plus durable qui renouvelle nos façons de consommer, de produire, de travailler et de vivre ensemble pour répondre aux grands enjeux environnementaux, ceux de la crise climatique, de la rareté des ressources, de la perte accélérée de la biodiversité et de la multiplication des risques sanitaires environnementaux. Ce concept admet et cherche à dévoiler l’articulation entre l’écologie et la socioéconomie ainsi que les dimensions éthiques et politiques impliquées dans les solutions proposées aux problèmes environnementaux. La transition socio-écologique se compose de plusieurs volets interdépendants, tels que la transition énergétique, la transition agroalimentaire ou encore la transition climatique. » Stratégie gouvernementale de développement durable 2023-2028, p. 117.

2. « Ensemble des facteurs environnementaux auxquels est exposé un organisme vivant de sa conception à sa mort et qui influencent son état physiologique. » Tiré de exposome | Grand dictionnaire terminologique (gouv.qc.ca).