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.
Our information sheets to go further
Upcoming Nano Agenda
18
Nov.
2024
Harmonisation & Standardisation of Test Methods for Nanomaterials and Advanced Materials (MACRAMÉ & nanoPASS, online)
Online
Workshop
- Second Harmonisation & Standardisation of Test Methods for Nanomaterials and Advanced Materials Workshop (Webinar)
- Organizers: Horizon Europe projects iCare, MACRAMÉ and nanoPASS, in collaboration with the Malta Initiative
- Dates: Nov 18 & 19, 2024
- Website: https://macrame-project.eu/macrame-meetings-workshops/#HS-Workshop2
20
Nov.
2024
Nanotechnologies: an example of chemical risk prevention in an industrial environment (ATC, Paris)
Paris
Training
- This module is part of the training program “Interactions between toxic chemicals and the human organism”, open to anyone with a basic scientific education (bachelor’s degree or professional experience).
- Organizer: Association Toxicologie Chimie(ATC)
- Speaker : Chantal Fresnay, Hygienist Engineer, Thales, Palaiseau
- Website: www.atctoxicologie.fr
21
Nov.
2024
Managing the risks associated with nanomaterials (CEA, Grenoble)
Grenoble
Training
- Awareness-raising aimed at personnel in 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 agenda: potential impact on health; metrology and protection; control of potential risks associated with nanomaterials; consideration of societal aspects.
- Website: https://instn.cea.fr/formation/maitrise-des-risques-lies-aux-nanomateriaux-sensibilisation
File initially put on line in October 2013