Safer Materials
Manage potential risks to human health and the environment
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DuPont
Environmental Defense announced a partnership with DuPont to develop the industry's first framework for responsible development and use of nanomaterials.
What's at stake
Nanotechnology — the design and manipulation of materials at the atomic and molecular scale — has great potential to deliver environmental, health and other benefits. Novel properties emerge as materials reach the nano-scale, such as changes in surface chemistry, reactivity and electrical conductivity. These open the door to almost limitless innovations in areas as diverse as computer processors, batteries, solar panels, lighter and stronger plastics, drug delivery and cosmetics.
However, a number of preliminary studies suggest that as materials reach the nanoscale the same beneficial, novel properties may also pose new risks to workers, consumers, the public and the environment. In order to reap the enormous commercial and societal benefits, companies should collaborate with manufacturers, users and buyers of nanomaterials to develop and share the information needed to make sound risk management decisions.
What companies can do
- Ensure the safe use and production of nanomaterials by following a rigorous risk management protocol, such as the Nano Risk Framework developed by EDF and DuPont.
Case Studies
See how DuPont applied the framework to three pilot products.
Resources to help
- Use the Nano Risk Framework to evaluate and manage potential nanotechnology risks in all phases of the product development cycle. Download the framework.
- Review the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies’ inventory of consumer products using nano to see how your industry might be involved.
Who should care
- Financial services: Major insurance companies such as Swiss Re, Lloyd's of London and others are asking their clients for proper nano risk management.
- Healthcare: Several labs are showing great promise in drug delivery through various nanotechnology-based techniques.
- Manufacturing: Perhaps no other industry today is benefiting more from nanotechnology than materials.
- Telecom and IT: Nanotechnology is viewed by many as the answer to hurdling IT and electronics roadblocks.
- Retail and consumer goods: Nanoparticles are already being used in tennis balls, self-cleaning windows, invisible sunscreens, and bumpers on vans and SUVs.
Posted: 29-Oct-2008; Updated: 26-May-2009
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