Benefit/risk analysis
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Benefit/risk analyses of products containing nanos
By the AVICENN team – Last modification in April 2022
The benefit/risk analysis of products containing nanos must cover the whole life cycle of the products and integrate the impacts for all involved… especially the most vulnerable.
It is not only the health and environmental risks associated with nanomaterials that need to be carefully assessed.
The benefits of nanos also need to be seriously examined and evaluated.
For each type of product, the following questions arise:
- What needs are nanomaterials supposed to meet?
- What functions do they perform? Are they essential? Useful or futile? Who benefits (manufacturers / distributors / users)?
- What evidence is there of the benefits described? Are they provided in understandable language? On a sales pitch or on a safety data sheet?
- Do these pieces of information describe noticeable, perceptible and important benefits to you?
- How are decisions made: who decides what, at what point in the innovation life cycle? Which stakeholders are impacted at each stage of the innovation life cycle? Have they been able to express an opinion and is it taken into account?
- Is the use of nanomaterials limited, reserved for a confined professional environment?
- Will the health, environmental and social impacts be significantly altered by a commercial extension to the general public?
- Have the consequences of a generalization of these products integrating nanomaterials / nanotechnologies been simulated?
- Have waste flow simulations been done?
- Do alternatives exist? and are they more or less “effective” than the advertised properties related to “added nanos”?
Elsewhere on the web
In French :
- Ecological transition in research: greener chemistry for a sustainable world, Pierre Lalanne, La Recherche, 28 March 2022
In English:
-
Forget microplastics: we may have a much smaller problem, The Guardian, 25 April 2022
Any questions or comments? This information sheet compiled by AVICENN is intended to be completed and updated. Please feel free to contribute.
Other news on the topic
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Upcoming Nano Agenda
1
Juin
2025
Controlling the risks associated with nanomaterials (CEA, Online)
On line
Training
- E-learning program: awareness-raising for personnel who come into contact with nanomaterials during research, formulation, production, maintenance, cleaning, upkeep, etc., as well as safety coordinators or engineers, facility managers, heads of laboratories where nanoparticles are handled.
- Organizers: INSTN Grenoble (CEA)
- On the program:
- 1 – Introduction, definition and characteristics of nanomaterials
- 2 – Toxicity of nanomaterials: the state of knowledge
- 3 – Metrology and characterization of nanomaterials
- 4 – Prevention and protection against nanomaterials in the workplace
- 5 – Quiz: assessment of learning outcomes
- The 2-hour course can be viewed for one month from the date of registration.
- Website: https://instn.cea.fr/…risques-lies-aux-nanomateriaux…
1
Juin
2025
Applications of Nanomaterials to Sustainably Address Water, Food, and Health (Newry, Maine – United States)
Newry, Maine
Conference
- 7th Environmental nanotechology Gordon Research Conference (GRC)
- Chairs: Peter Vikeslan and Denise Mitrano
- Date: June 1-6, 2025
- Website: https://www.grc.org/environmental-nanotechnology-conference/2025/
11
Juin
2025
Risk assessment of nanomaterials and materials containing small/nanoparticles in the food and feed chain (EFSA, Brussels & online)
On line
Workshop
- Workshop on risk assessment of nanomaterials and materials containing small/nanoparticles in the food and feed chain
- Organizer: EFSA
- This workshop will present the proposed strategy for updating the EFSA Nano Guidance documents, aiming to merge them into a single guidance on risk assessment for nanomaterials and small/nanoparticles in the food and feed chain.
The event will provide an open platform for discussing key issues, approaches to addressing them, and ensuring the guidance reflects the latest scientific knowledge. Stakeholders will be encouraged to share experiences and engage with regulators, helping shape the updated guidance. - Website: www.efsa.europa.eu/en/events/workshop-risk-assessment-nanomaterials-and-materials-containing-smallnanoparticles-food-and
File initially put on line in October 2013