Safe and responsible use of Nanotechnology

25 March 2007

For responsible use of nanotechnology, Environmental defense and DuPont have developed comprehensive frameworks for evaluation and addressing of the potential risks associated with the use of nanoscale material. These frameworks provide guidelines and key issues before developing applications of nanomaterials or implementing such nanotechnologies. The focus has been given on risk evaluation and management, however for covering incomplete areas the organizations can go ahead with their logical assumptions. The guidelines further provides generation and updating of assumptions and detailed communication procedure of the company to the key stakeholders.

The entire framework has been divided into six steps. The first step (Describe Material and Application) has to deal with the general description of the nanomaterial and its intended use. The second step (Profile Lifecycle) will focus on three major aspects of the framework i.e. properties of nanomaterials, hazards and exposures associated with these materials. The exposure will not only cover human but it will cover environmental exposure through intended use as well as by accidental release. Step three (Evaluate Risk) is to look out for the risk associated with the specific nanomaterials during its application. The gap areas as well as reasonable worst assumptions should be made available.

The step four (Assess Risk Management) describes in details the management of the risks as identified. The entire management options and recommendations should be made available. The fifth step (Decide, Document and Act) focuses transparent system of decision making as well as sharing information with internal and external stakeholders. The last sixth step (Review and Adapt) makes the whole process a cycle. It provides the scope for scheduled reviews, triggered reviews and if and if necessary re-examine the entire process of risk evaluation and risk management.

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