Lecture invitation: “Ethical considerations of recommending or distributing facemasks for community protection from ambient air pollution event”

I’m delighted to invite you to the upcoming event as part of the SCR Annual Lecture Series taking place on Thursday 16th May.

Lecture Title

‘Ethical considerations of recommending or distributing facemasks for community protection from ambient air pollution event’

Speaker: Dr Fiona Macdonald, COFUND Senior Research Fellow, Durham University

Co-Director of Australian Centre of Health Law Research, Faculty of Law, Queensland University of Technology

Globally, ambient air pollution is the 9th highest cause of morbidity. Fine particulate matter has recently been categorised as a group 1 carcinogen.  Particulate pollution can come from a number of sources, such as volcanic eruptions, dust storms, fires and urban emissions. Protecting populations from harmful levels of particulate exposures has become a globally-significant health issue. One available intervention to reduce exposure is the use of personal protective equipment, particularly facemasks.  Internationally, individuals may easily procure some types of facemasks, or these may be distributed by agencies, during air pollution crises. During such crises, it may not be known what the exact health risk of inhaling the particles may be, and there is very limited evidence on the efficacy of facemask use in community settings during ambient pollution events.  This may cause a moral dilemma for government and non-governmental agencies about how to respond in the face of uncertainty, particularly when the public may want some immediate action to be taken to try to minimise perceived risks to health.  This presentation analyses the ethical issues that are relevant to a determination of whether or not agencies should recommend and/or distribute facemasks during ambient pollution events.  Ultimately, a decision to recommend or provide facemasks will be context specific and contingent on a number of factors specific to the particular pollution event, the differing importance assigned to ethical values as a consequence of the cultures, norms and expectations of particular agencies and societies, and political and resourcing issues.

Date: Thursday 16th May

Lecture: 18.00, Ustinov Room

Drinks Reception: 19.00, Entrance Foyer

Buffet Dinner: 19.30, Lakeside Room

Following the lecture there will be a buffet dinner for SCR, MCR Members and guests, to book onto the dinner please RSVP with any specific dietary requirements to [email protected] by Sunday 12th May.

Buffet Dinner Cost: £8 per person

Buffet Menu

Butterflied Cajun Chicken

Roast Vegetable Lasagne and Garlic Bread (v)

With sides and seasonal salads

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Profiterole and Chocolate Sauce

Fresh Fruit Platter

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Tea and Coffee