Sustainable nanotechnology decision support system: bridging risk management, sustainable innovation and risk governance

摘要

The significant uncertainties associatedudwith the (eco)toxicological risks of engineered nanomaterialsudpose challenges to the development of nanoenabledudproducts toward greatest possible societaludbenefit. This paper argues for the use of risk governanceudapproaches to manage nanotechnology risks andudsustainability, and considers the links between theseudconcepts. Further, seven risk assessment and managementudcriteria relevant to risk governance are defined:ud(a) life cycle thinking, (b) triple bottom line, (c) inclusionudof stakeholders, (d) risk management, (e) benefit–udrisk assessment, (f) consideration of uncertainty, and (g) adaptive response. These criteria are used toudcompare five well-developed nanotechnology frameworks:udInternational Risk Governance Council framework,udComprehensive Environmental Assessment,udStreaming Life Cycle Risk Assessment, CertifiableudNanospecific Risk Management and Monitoring Systemudand LICARA NanoSCAN. A Sustainable NanotechnologyudDecision Support System (SUNDS) isudproposed to better address current nanotechnology riskudassessment and management needs, and makes.udStakeholder needs were solicited for further SUNDSudenhancement through a stakeholder workshop thatudincluded representatives from regulatory, industry andudinsurance sectors. Workshop participants expressedudthe need for the wider adoption of sustainabilityudassessment methods and tools for designing greenerudnanomaterials.