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Nanomaterial risk screening: a structured approach to aid decision making under uncertainty

Author

Listed:
  • Christian E. H. Beaudrie

    (University of British Columbia
    Compass Resource Management Ltd)

  • Milind Kandlikar

    (University of British Columbia
    University of British Columbia)

  • Robin Gregory

    (Decision Research)

  • Graham Long

    (Compass Resource Management Ltd)

  • Tim Wilson

    (Compass Resource Management Ltd)

Abstract

The responsible development of new nanomaterials and nano-enabled products requires that potential risks are understood and managed before harms occur. Although quantitative and predictive tools for anticipating human health and environmental risk are in early stages of development, there is a clear need for screening methodologies to inform decision making related to nanomaterial risk management in regulatory agencies and industry. This paper presents the results of a two-day workshop with nanotechnology experts aimed at developing a risk-screening framework for nanomaterials. Drawing upon expertise in nanotoxicology, human exposure, environmental fate and transport, and structured decision making, participants developed a decision support framework relating key nanomaterial physicochemical and product characteristics to important hazard and exposure indicators. Application of the preliminary nano-risk-screening tool (NRST) to several test cases illustrates the utility of the approach for both identifying nanomaterial characteristics that drive risks and for highlighting opportunities to redesign products to minimize risks. This framework for aiding risk managers’ decisions under uncertainty provides the foundation for the development of a transparent and adaptable screening tool that can inform the management of potential risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian E. H. Beaudrie & Milind Kandlikar & Robin Gregory & Graham Long & Tim Wilson, 2015. "Nanomaterial risk screening: a structured approach to aid decision making under uncertainty," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 88-109, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envsyd:v:35:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1007_s10669-014-9529-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10669-014-9529-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ralph L. Keeney & Robin S. Gregory, 2005. "Selecting Attributes to Measure the Achievement of Objectives," Operations Research, INFORMS, vol. 53(1), pages 1-11, February.
    2. Kara Morgan, 2005. "Development of a Preliminary Framework for Informing the Risk Analysis and Risk Management of Nanoparticles," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(6), pages 1621-1635, December.
    3. Christian E H Beaudrie & Terre Satterfield & Milind Kandlikar & Barbara H Harthorn, 2013. "Expert Views on Regulatory Preparedness for Managing the Risks of Nanotechnologies," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(11), pages 1-1, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Igor Linkov & Margaret H. Kurth & Danail Hristozov & Jeffrey M. Keisler, 2015. "Nanotechnology: promoting innovation through analysis and governance," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 22-23, March.

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